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Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are biomaterials with scientifically proven potential to improve sustainability in construction. Although mycelium-based products are not entirely new, their use in engineering presents challenges due to the inherent properties of this fungal material. This study investigated professional architects' and interior designers' perceptions of MBCs, focusing on familiarity, aesthetic appeal, and willingness to use. The first phase of the survey explored respondents' views on material-related ecological design principles. In the second phase, respondents evaluated ten small architectural objects crafted from MBCs, focusing on form, detail, and visual appeal. The last phase of the survey measured their interest in using mycelium in their design work. The results revealed that MBCs were relatively unknown among the surveyed professionals; only every second respondent knew this material. Despite this, 90% found MBCs visually appealing after seeing the examples. Interestingly, the natural, unprocessed appearance of the material was assessed as less aesthetically pleasing, with thermal treatment improving its perceived value. Architects were more receptive to using MBCs in their professional projects for customers than for personal use. This observation points to a 'double standard': professional architects are more open to using MBCs in projects not intended for their own use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: In the context of Industry 4.0 and 5.0, competitiveness is intricately linked to innovativeness and ongoing technological advancements, posing a formidable challenge for countries and organizations aspiring to thrive in this environment. Within this framework, the significance of innovativeness is escalating, emerging as a crucial factor for the competitiveness of enterprises and economies alike. Purpose of the article: The article aims to present the structure and dynamics of research on the competitiveness of SMEs shaped on the basis of their innovativeness to further guide both research and management practice. Methods: This comprehensive bibliometric analysis delves into the Scopus database to uncover the leading authors, journals, and countries driving empirical research on SME competitiveness and innovation. The study utilizes the VosViewer software to graphically represent the overarching themes explored by researchers in this field. Additionally, an analysis of the selected articles identifies trends shaping the discourse on SME competitiveness and innovation. This multifaceted approach provides a holistic understanding of the current state of research in this domain, paving the way for future directions and insights. Findings & value added: In this study, the authors conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current research landscape on SME competitiveness and innovation in the digital transformation era. By identifying key challenges, opportunities, and strategies for SMEs, our findings offer valuable guidance for researchers, policymakers, and SMEs themselves in navigating the complexities of the digital transformation landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account factors such as unfavorable climate changes, shrinking fossil fuel resources, low energy efficiency, and the pace of population growth, the transformation towards green and renewable energy is one of the most important goals and challenges facing the world. The energy sector is the source of about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and energy-related emissions are reaching new record levels. For the energy transition to succeed, innovation at the level of technology, business processes and policies (local, national, and international) are necessary. Therefore, the aim of this article is to analyze the size, structure, and dynamics of research on innovations in the field of green and renewable energy in the last decade in order to identify the main topics and research trends in this field. The authors conducted a bibliometric review based on the PRISMA guidance together with visualization analysis based on the VOSviewer software. For this purpose, the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) database was used, and based on defined inclusion criteria, the authors selected 1144 records for bibliographic analysis. The database was subjected to a performance analysis from the perspective of the number of publications per year, dominant countries, and journals. Further, science mapping was employed to analyze such features of the publications as co-citations, co-occurrences, and bibliometric coupling. Based on the results, gaps in green and renewable energy innovations were identified and issues for future research were defined and recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study. In bipolar disorder (BD), evidence for both cognitive impairment and deficit in emotion recognition has been found. Several investigations indicate that cognition and face processing can be interrelated. In this study, we assessed the correlations between cognitive functioning and emotion recognition (face expression) in patients with BD during an acute manic and depressive episode as well as in remission using a large battery of neurocognitive tests. Material and methods Twenty-four manic subjects, 21 with bipolar depression, and 22 euthymics, age-, sex-, and education-matched were included. Cognitive functions were assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Test (TMT, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (SCWT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Benton Visual Memory Test (BVRT), Rey-Osterreich Complex Figure Test (ROFT), d2 test and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). For emotion recognition, the Penn Emotion Recognition Test and Penn Emotion Discrimination Test were employed. Results. In mania, performances on selected measures of the WCST, TMT, SCWT, CVLT, ROFT, d2 test, and VFT, achieved 19 positive correlations with better recognition of happiness. In depression, conducting these tests obtained 20 correlations with finer recognition of sadness. In remission, such performances acquired 18 correlations with greater identification of sadness (10 replicated those obtained in depression). Conclusions. Better neuropsychological performance can facilitate emotion recognition. In manic patients, this concerns mostly happiness, while in depression and remission, mainly sadness. We hypothesize that the identification of sadness could be considered a biological marker of mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical user interfaces are designed so that the most important elements are usually located in the central part of the screen, where they catch the user's attention. However, there are situations where it is necessary to attract the user's attention to make him/her notice, e.g., a critical alert, which is customarily displayed in the peripheral area so as not to interact with the main content. Therefore, our focus is to deliver an increased visibility of content in the peripheral area of the display in a non-intrusive way. Thus, the main purpose of this work is to analyze the visibility of the stimulus (in the form of colored discs), displayed in the peripheral area of a screen, which distracts users from the central part of the interface. The habituation and sensitization effects were considered to study which parameters catch and hold the user's attention, despite the length of their interaction with the system. The experiments performed indicated how the parameters should be set to reduce the habituation effect without the need to use content with the highest visual intensity. The results showed that a high visual intensity is not necessarily needed for the best impact. A medium contrast level, a horizontal or vertical display localization, and a flashing frequency of 2 Hz are sufficient to obtain the best visibility in the peripheral area. In the case of critical alerts and the need for short-term intensive stimuli, it is worth highlighting these with high contrast. This configuration should be the most effective if it is not a continuous operation. However, they can cause unnecessary irritation or even cognitive load for more extended usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential factor that enables medical patient monitoring is the vital signs monitor, whereas the key in communication with the monitor is the user interface. The way the data display on the monitors is standard, and it is often not changed; however, vital signs monitors are now configurable. Not all the data have to be displayed concurrently; not all data are necessary at a given moment. There arises a question: is the standard monitor configuration sufficient, or can it lead to mistakes related to delays in perceiving parameter changes? Some researchers argue that mistakes in life-saving activities is not mainly due to medical mistakes but due to poorly designed patient life monitor interfaces, among other reasons. In addition, it should be emphasized that the activity that saves the patient's life is accompanied by stress, which is often caused by the chaos occurring in the hospital emergency department. This raises the following question: is the standard user interface, which they are used to, still effective under stress conditions? Therefore, our primary consideration is the measure of reaction speed of medical staff, which means the perception of the changes of vital signs on the patient's monitor, for stress and stressless situations. The paper attempts to test the thesis of the importance of the medical interface and its relation to medical mistakes, extending it with knowledge about the difference in speed of making decisions by the medical staff with regard to the stress stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-vesical instillations with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) are the established adjuvant therapy for superficial bladder cancer. Although generally safe and well tolerated, they may cause a range of different, local, and systemic complications. We present a patient treated with BCG instillations for three years, who was admitted to our hospital due to fever, hemoptysis, pleuritic chest pain and progressive dyspnea. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed massive bilateral ground glass opacities, partly consolidated, localized in the middle and lower parts of the lungs, bronchial walls thickening, and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 as well as sputum, blood, and urine for general bacteriology—were negative. Initial empiric antibiotic therapy was ineffective and respiratory failure progressed. After a few weeks, a culture of M. tuberculosis complex was obtained from the patient's specimens; the cultured strain was identified as Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Anti-tuberculous treatment with rifampin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) was implemented together with systemic corticosteroids, resulting in the quick improvement of the patient's clinical condition. Due to hepatotoxicity and finally reported resistance of the BCG strain to INH, levofloxacin was used instead of INH with good tolerance. Follow-up CT scans showed partial resolution of the pulmonary infiltrates. BCG infection in the lungs must be taken into consideration in every patient treated with intra-vesical BCG instillations and symptoms of protracted infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines financial support (especially EU Structural Funds as the main tool of cohesion policy) for investments as a lever for the development of SME innovativeness in Poland. The European Commission strongly stresses the importance of their cohesion policy and support for SMEs. European enterprises have suffered significantly from the credit crunch, and the situation could worsen as banks engage in restructuring to eliminate impaired assets from their balance sheets. Supporting SMEs and promoting entrepreneurship is essential for economic development and competitiveness, especially in less developed regions. The main aim of this study is to establish the impact of financial support for investments, especially from EU Structural Funds, on SME competitiveness in Poland. We have analyzed empirically the data drawn from CATI carried out among 805 firms. We have learned how SMEs assess the financial support from different sources along with the resulting impact on the competitiveness of SMEs. The main statistical test for relationships and dependencies was the chi-square independence test and Cramer's V. The results of our research show that SMEs have not used financial support efficiently. Moreover, micro-enterprises were shown to be the least effective after receiving financial support from EU funds. This support often has a demand-driven effect, but it does not improve firm competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoluminescence of cellulose, and other polysaccharides, has long been presumed to be due to contamination of the material by other autofluorescent compounds – such as lignin, or proteins. This is attributed to the lack of known fluorescent chemical groups present in the molecular structure of polysaccharides and the weak emission intensity when compared to typical fluorophores. However, recent research suggests that the observed luminescence may actually be due to transitions involving the n orbitals containing lone electron pairs present in oxyl groups, stabilised by the molecular forces between the polysaccharide chains. Here we investigate this theory further by varying the physicochemical environment (concentration and pH) of oxidised cellulose nanofibril suspensions and observing the resultant fluorescent spectra using multi-channel confocal laser scanning spectroscopy. We confirm that both factors affect the material photoluminescence, specifically changing the intensity ratio between two localised emission maxima, supporting current theories. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this variation enables the determination of critical aggregation concentrations and the apparent pKa values of hydroxyl groups that undergo deprotonation within the examined pH range, enabling use of the technique to track rapid changes in the fibril physicochemical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Innovation is a very important pillar within a knowledge-based economy, in the regional and local perspective as well. A literature review on innovation and SME innovation strategies to their correlation and the possibility of their joint examination. Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to explore the SME's innovation strategies and their impact on effectiveness of innovation in a peripheral region. We investigate the effects of innovation activities not only among small and medium, but also micro firms which are not covered in official innovation surveys by the national statistical offices. We proposed a model of implementing innovation, and tested our hypotheses. Methods: Research was based on data drawn from CATIs carried out among 419 firms, therefore making a conceptual contribution to the knowledge on innovation strategy. The main statistical test for relationships and dependencies was the chi-square independence test. To arbitrate whether there were statistically significant differences between medians due to different factors among enterprises, analysis for variance (H Kruskal-Wallis' test for k independent samples) procedure was implemented. Findings & Value added: The results of our research show that among SMEs in peripheral regions dominated those which we call 'pragmatists' and 'imitators' in context of their approach towards innovation. The significance of objective factors showed that there was a lack of enterprises that could play the role of 'creators of innovation' in the peripheral region. However, the examined firms more often noticed positive than negative aspects of introduced innovations, which is determined by the scale of enterprise; they were focused mainly on the consequences of innovation for their products and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research attempts to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and consumers' advocacy behavior (CAB) association in the hotel services sector of a developing economy. Furthermore, this study explores how hotel consumers' emotions and values mediate and moderate their CAB. This is accomplished by introducing two mediating variables, consumer happiness and warm glow, and altruistic values as a moderator. The data were obtained from hotel consumers with the help of an adapted questionnaire. The structural analysis indicated that CSR communication on social media by hotel services organizations positively predicted CAB, while consumer happiness and warm glow served as mediators to explain this relationship. Our results also confirmed the moderating effect of altruistic values. Several theoretical and practical implications can be drawn from this study. For example, our study highlights the important role of social media as an effective medium to communicate CSR-related information with hotel consumers to bolster their advocacy intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of innovation of enterprises in the Regional Innovation System context. We analyse factors that determine regional innovation in a less developed region, taking the Podkarpackie region in Poland as our empirical counterpart. We examine how the EU economic policy instruments influence the innovation of enterprises within the context of the Regional Innovation Systems. We propose a model for the implementation of innovations and test our hypotheses based on the data drawn from the period of 2011-2014. The paper provides insights on a rather successful story from Poland. We posit that enterprises use only specific public policy instruments and that companies' demand for innovation-supporting instruments changes, reacting to the business cycle phase and to financial incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The phytochemicals of two apple cultivars (Yellow Transparent and Early Geneva) protected in two ways, conventionally with chemical pesticides or by effective microorganisms ( EM), were compared. Two types of components were determined: lipids synthesised constitutively and generated via inducible pathways polyphenols along with antioxidant activity and profiles. RESULTS The antioxidant activities assessed with ABTS, DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents were about two-fold higher in the case of microbiologically protected apples. The qualitative composition of phenolics determined by LC-DAD-MS varied between cultivars and the part of apples studied, while the method of protection caused mainly differences in concentration of some groups of polyphenols (hydroxycinnamates, flavanols, dihydrochalcones, flavonols, anthocyanins). The apples from biological cultivation contained about 34-54% more phenolics than these from a conventional orchard. In contrast, lipid composition did not differ significantly between apples originating from conventional and bio-crops. CONCLUSION The results indicate that the advantage of using the EM technology in agriculture may not only be the reduction of consumption of chemical fertilisers and synthetic pesticides, but also, at least in the case of apples, may lead to the production of crops with improved health quality due to the higher content of bioactive phytochemicals. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article concentrates on the role of European Union (EU) structural funds in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The analysis presented in this paper is based on the results of computer-assisted telephone interviews conducted with 394 representatives of enterprises localized in three Polish Voivodships: the Podkarpackie, the Lubelskie and the Podlaskie. The entire EU structural funds are based on the assumption that by additionally financing the development of SMEs, they influence regional development indirectly. Even though EU structural funds are not the only factor influencing economic growth and the creation of Gross Domestic Product, they affect the development potential of enterprises indirectly. However, from the perspective of the representatives of researched SMEs, EU structural funds are not so significant for commitment to investment. Actually, for SMEs in Eastern Poland, they have no effect on future investment plans. This bottom-up perspective researched in one of the poorest areas of the EU puts the assumption of the positive relation between the EU structural funds and regional development into doubt. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this article is to analyze and classify European Union (EU) regions according to human capital and innovativeness. Innovativeness of 225 EU NUTS-2 regions within 2008–2010 is analyzed with special attention paid to human capital. Eighteen indicators of innovativeness and human capital were adapted and transformed into four mutually orthogonal components, with use of factor analysis. The use of factor analysis eliminated the portions of information overlapping in indicators proposed in the beginning of the analysis. It is one of the beneficial differences between the approach presented in this article and the Regional Innovation Scoreboard. A second difference is the scope, for in this article the specific meaning of human capital in the innovation process was highlighted. On this basis the EU regions were classified in five homogeneous groups. It enabled the authors to draw conclusions concerning the areas of innovativeness which need specific support and the potential to be exploited. On the basis of our article concerning the issue of relatively poor innovativeness of some EU regions’ economies, it's worth stressing that underinvestment in the field of human capital is one of the basic causes which determine different results obtained in innovation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] Combining meat with cabbage reduces mutagen formation during pan-frying. [•] Cabbage phytochemicals lower mutagenicity of meat burgers. [•] Mutagenicity of aromatic amines is reduced in the presence of isothiocyanates. [•] Aromatic amines reacted with isothiocyanates to thioureas exhibit lower mutagenicity. [•] Brassica addition to meat may reduce risk associated with food carcinogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The buildings’ use generates the highest environmental impact in the life cycles. [•] The energy consumption during the use is a main source of the environmental impact. [•] Energy type used to cover this demand plays a crucial role. [ • ] The environmental impact depends strongly on the structure of electricity production. [•] Visible reduction of impact was obtained for future Polish electricity scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When reading interesting content or searching for information on a website, the appearance of a pop-up advertisement in the middle of the screen is perceived as irritating by a recipient. Interrupted cognitive processes are considered unwanted by the user but desired by advertising providers. Diverting visual attention away from the main content is intended to focus the user on the appeared disruptive content. Is the attempt to reach the user by any means justified? In this study, we examined the impact of pop-up emotional content on user reactions. For this purpose, a cognitive experiment was designed where a text-reading task was interrupted by two types of affective pictures: positive and negative ones. To measure the changes in user reactions, an eye-tracker (for analysis of eye movements and changes in gaze points) and an iMotion Platform (for analysis of face muscles' movements) were used. The results confirm the impact of the type of emotional content on users' reactions during cognitive process interruptions and indicate that the negative impact of cognitive process interruptions on the user can be reduced. The negative content evoked lower cognitive load, narrower visual attention, and lower irritation compared to positive content. These results offer insight on how to provide more efficient Internet advertising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactive environments create endless possibilities for the design of websites, games, online platforms, and mobile applications. Their visual aspects and functional characteristics influence the user experience. Depending on the project, the purpose of the environment can be oriented toward marketing targets, user experience, or accessibility. Often, these conflicting aspects should be integrated within a single project, and a search for trade-offs is needed. One of these conflicts involves a disparity in user behavior concerning declared preferences and real observed activity in terms of visual attention. Taking into account accessibility guidelines (WCAG) further complicates the problem. In our study, we focused on the analysis of color combinations and their contrast in terms of user-friendliness; visual intensity, which is important for attracting user attention; and recommendations from the Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We took up the challenge to reduce the disparity between user preferences and WCAG contrast, on one hand, and user natural behavior registered with an eye-tracker, on the other. However, we left the choice of what is more important—human conscious reaction or objective user behavior results—to the designer. The former corresponds to user-friendliness, while the latter, visual intensity, is consistent with marketing expectations. The results show that the ranking of visual objects characterized by different levels of contrast differs when considering the perspectives of user experience, commercial goals, and objective recording. We also propose an interactive tool with the possibility of assigning weights to each criterion to generate a ranking of objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible flowers are food products that are usually eaten fresh without prior heat treatment. Due to their chemical composition and low degree of processing, they can be an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms, and thus a source of infection. Methods of their preservation include proper packaging and storage at low temperatures. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of type of packaging (vacuum-sealed polyamide/polyethylene bag and polyethylene terephthalate box) on the microbial contamination of edible flowers including nasturtium, calendula, and daisy during refrigerated storage. The counts of selected pathogenic bacteria, total yeasts and moulds on the day of harvesting and after 1-3 days of refrigerated storage were determined. The results showed that the edible flowers did not contain Salmonella sp. or Escherichia coli (except nasturtiums), while all flowers contained both yeast and moulds at counts about 4-5 log cfu/g, and Staphylococcus aureus at numbers ranging from 1.89 to 2.72 log cfu/g. The differences in the counts of moulds and S. aureus were statistically significant depending on the type of flower. Neither the type of packaging nor storage time under refrigerated conditions influenced the degree of microbial contamination of the flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Münchhausen syndrome is a rare mental disorder in which patients provoke symptoms of somatic or mental illness in themselves in order to assume the role of a patient. There is no known exact cause of the disease, but it is believed that in the pathogenesis of the disorder both somatic and mental factors are involved. Diagnosis is based on a careful interview and observation, and on the cooperation of specialists from many fields of medicine. Treatment of Münchhausen syndrome poses many difficulties and is usually associated with poor prognosis for successful treatment. We report a case of a 27-year-old patient with predominant abdominal Münchhausen syndrome associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rates and the mechanism of intramolecular hydrogen-atom transfer across the rigid diketopiperazine spacer in two epimeric benzophenone-tyrosine dyads were studied by nanosecond laser flash photolysis in 12 non-protic and protic solvents. Effects of the stereochemistry on the ground-state structures and conformational equilibria and dynamics have been addressed by means of NMR-based population analysis and long-term molecular-dynamics simulations. The excited triplet state of the benzophenone is found to be quenched intramolecularly by the remote phenol moiety with rates that are highly dependent on the solvent and on the relative benzophenone-phenol orientation. In agreement with previous studies, the kinetic diversity, with rates ranging from <105 s-1 to 2 × 107 s-1, can be attributed to retarding effects of the bulk viscosity and to effects of specific solvation, which can be both rate retarding and rate accelerating. As an extension of the previous knowledge, however, the phenomenology of the kinetic solvent effects, that is, the nature of the predominating solvent parameter and its absolute impact on the reactivity, is found to be highly correlated with structural effects. Utilisant la photolyse laser éclair, au niveau de la nanoseconde, on a étudié les vitesses et le mécanisme de réaction du transfert d'atome d'hydrogène intramoléculaire à travers l'espaceur dicétopipérazine rigide dans deux dyades de benzophénone-tyrosine dans douze solvants protiques et aprotiques. Faisant appel à l'analyse de populations à l'aide de la RMN et de simulations de dynamique moléculaire à long terme, on a étudié les effets de la stéréochimie sur les structures de l'état fondamental et sur la dynamique et les équilibres conformationnels. On a trouvé que l'état triplet excité de la benzophénone est piégé d'une façon intramoléculaire par la portion phénolique éloignée avec des vitesses qui dépendent beaucoup du solvant et des orientations relatives de la benzophénone et du phénol. En accord avec les études antérieures, la diversité cinétique des vitesses qui varient de moins de 105 s-1 à 2 × 107 s-1 peut être attribuée aux effets de viscosité globale qui les diminuent et aux effets de solvatation spécifique qui peuvent soit les accélérer ou les retarder. Toutefois, comme extension aux connaissances acquises antérieurement, on a trouvé que la phénoménologie des effets cinétiques du solvant, c'est-à-dire la nature du paramètre prédominant du solvant et son impact absolu sur la réactivité, est intimement reliée aux effets structuraux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study was undertaken in order to address possible chiral discrimination in the intramolecular abstraction of phenolic hydrogens by benzophenone triplets in suitably constructed molecular dyads. Nanosecond time-resolved laser flash photolysis experiments have been performed to probe the stereoselectivity of the triplet quenching in cyclic dipeptides containing two chromophores: benzophenone and phenol. These experiments revealed marked stereoselectivity of the hydrogen-atom transfer due to the structural constraints of the peptide matrix. Extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to gain an understanding of the geometrical requirements underpinning these observed differences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A periodic model has been selected to model the structure and reducibility of vanadia/titania catalysts and the effect of alkali doping for Li, Na and K. Alkali interact with both the surface vanadia units and the support. The calculated changes on vanadia structure are consistent with the changes evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. Reducibility is modeled by adsorption of one hydrogen atom, forming hydroxyl groups with the bridging V–O–Ti present in the model. The adsorption energy decreases in the series Li>Na>K, in agreement with experimental TPR results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Improving national electricity mixes and increasing a share of renewable energy covered by credible and reliable tracking systems are vital topics, also in a context of life cycle assessment. There are many publications devoted to the relevance of energy in the life cycle of products, but only few LCA examples applying residual mixes have been found in the literature. The paper presents the results of an LCA study for a refrigerator calculated with using different electricity mixes and technologies. The life cycle was divided into eight stages and the electricity consumption was modelled as renewable energy, national residual mix, or national supplier mix. Electricity mixes for three different countries were selected and used. The study aimed to answer the following questions: "what are the most relevant elements in the life cycle of the analysed refrigerator?", "do the elements change if various electricity mixes are applied?", and "what differences are there in the environmental impact of electricity generation modelled as residual and supplier mixes?". From the life cycle perspective, not only may differences in national electricity systems between countries turn out to be important, but equally significant may be the choice between different types of mixes for a certain country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most recently developed life cycle-based methods is an environmental footprint of products and organisations established by the European Commission. A special procedure of data and dataset quality assessment has been developed as a part of the environmental footprints methodology. The procedure may be recognised as vital and powerful but, at the same time, a bit complicated and time-consuming. It is worth discussing this subject and looking for potential simplification. In this paper, we suggest a possible way for simplification. We propose to remove an impact-assessment-based step from the procedure of company-specific datasets quality assessment. There are two potential benefits: a reduction in the need for expert knowledge and time savings. The threats posed are connected to the fact that all data influences the Data Quality Rating indicator of the entire dataset to the same degree. With a higher volume of data included in the assessment, there is a risk of greater differentiation in their quality. In this paper, an example of raw milk production is presented. The assessment of quality of the dataset was performed in three variants: pursuant to the approach established by the European Commission in the pilot phase, transition phase and with certain modifications employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium and niobium species (together and separately) were loaded on gamma alumina, and the resulting catalysts were run in the methanol conversion. This reaction was studied by both GC analysis and FTIR study in the flow system. The catalytic properties are discussed based on the combined FTIR and 27Al, 51V and 1H MAS NMR studies. The NMR studies revealed a different mechanism of interaction between Nb and Al2O3 than that between V and Al2O3. This predetermines the structure of vanadium sites in bimetallic VNb/Al samples. The effect of coverage was considered for various metal loadings ranging from below to above monolayer. One of our most interesting findings is that the surface Nb oxide species exhibited a redox character below monolayer but were acidic above monolayer. 27Al MAS NMR revealed a strong alumina–Nb interaction that may account for its redox performance. Moreover, the role of sulfate from vanadium precursor is evidenced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper presents the procedure of introducing Eurocode 7 into the design practice in Poland. In the paper, currently used design methods have been compared with new ones, which soon will be used simultaneously with the introduction of Eurocodes. In order to enable the comparison, numerical analysis has been performed on two simple example cases presented by the committee ERTC-10 "Evaluation of Eurocode 7". This gave the authors an opportunity to assess and compare properly different design approaches - up-to-date and new, now being introduced. Final conclusions and issues giving rise to further discussion have been presented at the end of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Various catalysts containing niobium and vanadium oxides supported on alumina were prepared by wet impregnation via aqueous solution using several precursors. The total loading of V and Nb oxides were below their dispersion limit on alumina. Vanadyl sulfate, ammonium metavanadate and ammonium niobate(V) oxalate were the precursors for supported vanadia and niobia. The reduction/oxidation properties were studied by conventional TPR/TPO and TPR/TPO-Raman. Surface vanadium oxide species tend to increase their polymerization degree upon TPR/TPO cycles. A broad weak feature near 900cm−1 appears associated to V3+–O–Al3+ bond vibration in the reduced vanadia-alumina catalysts. Niobia appears to retard vanadia reduction. Regarding supported niobia, a fraction of surface niobia is significantly more reducible than surface vanadia and another fraction is significantly less reducible. The more reducible niobia appears associated to an incipient Nb–Al–O phase that may account for a fluorescence background observed in the Raman spectra. The less reducible niobia phases appears associated to dispersed niobium oxide species on alumina. Niobium has an effect on vanadia reduction profiles in VNb/Al2O3 system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to the influence of the engineering works on buildings in the vicinity of deep excavations, two large Warsaw underground stations were constantly monitored. The results of measurements of the displacements of diaphragm walls are presented. Assessment of displacements was carried out on the basis of high-precision land surveying of fixed points positioned on diaphragm walls. The conclusions concerning maximum horizontal displacement of diaphragm walls as well as evaluation of real value of soils parameters based on the results of measurements have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case report of a 20-year-old woman after an ischemic stroke in the fourteenth year of life in the course of the antiphospholipid syndrome with subsequent damage to the central nervous system and the consequences in the general functioning of the patient. In the patient mood disorders, personality disorders and traits of anorexia nervosa were observed, leading to significant problems in social and family functioning. Once the final diagnosis was established and treatment consistent with reports from the literature was introduced, it resulted in significant improvements of the psychiatric status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Predicted distant health-related quality of life is one of the key elements in the long-term assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, and a factor to be taken into account when deciding upon the choice of therapeutic options in modern cancer surgery. To assess the quality of life of patients having undergone surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 44 (17 radical nephrectomy [RN], 27 nephron-sparing surgery [NSS]) patients having received surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma at the Department of Urology of the University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz. The control group consisted of 24 subjects within a matching age range. The standardized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used as the study tool. Results. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed with regard to the subjectively assessed quality of life depending on the type of surgery performed, i.e. RN vs. NSS. A positive correlation was observed between the higher scores within the social (p = 0.0453) and environmental (p = 0.0156) domains and the laparoscopic approach. Lower scores within the somatic (p = 0.0023), environmental (p = 0.0189) and emotional (p = 0.0356) scale domains were observed in female patients. A statistically significant inverse relationship was observed between the cancer stage and the self-assessed overall health scores (p = 0.0025). Conclusions. Minimally invasive surgical techniques open up the potential for the achievement of better quality of life of patients after surgery. Clinical and demographic variables influence the long-term health-related quality of life scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Our study aimed to assess back pain in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer following anterior resection of rectum (AR), laparoscopic anterior resection of rectum (LAR), Hartmann's procedure (HART), or abdominoperineal resection of rectum (APR). The studied patients were examined three times: prior to surgery (I), six months after surgery (II), and one year after surgery (III). The analysis of study results revealed that an increase in the degree of disability and functioning impairment occurred in all groups between time points I and II. A reduction in low back pain was observed one year after the procedure in the LAR group. Purpose: Low back pain presents a serious challenge for numerous medical specialties. The purpose of this study was to assess disability due to low back pain in patients operated on due to colorectal cancer depending on the type of surgery performed. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the period of July 2019 through March 2020. Included in the study were patients with colorectal cancer for scheduled surgeries including anterior resection of rectum (AR), laparoscopic anterior resection of rectum (LAR), Hartmann's procedure (HART), or abdominoperineal resection of rectum (APR). The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire was used as the research tool. The study patients were surveyed at three time points: before surgery, six months after surgery, and one year after surgery. Results: The analysis of study results revealed that an increase in the degree of disability and functioning impairment occurred in all groups between time points I and II, with the differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). The inter-group comparative analysis of the total Oswestry questionnaire scores revealed statistically significant differences, with the impairment of function being most severe within the APR group and least severe within the LAR group. Conclusion: The study results showed that low back pain contributes to impaired functioning of patients operated on due to colorectal cancer regardless of the type of procedure performed. A reduction in the degree of disability due to low back pain was observed one year after the procedure in patients having undergone LAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes and discusses the environmental and natural resource impacts, benefits, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential associated with a long-term transition to more energy-efficient pyrometallurgical smelting technologies for the production of refined copper. Using generic data from the KGHM Polska Miedź S.A, Glogow I and II smelting facilities in Poland, this study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare the environmental impacts of shaft and flash furnace-based smelting technologies. Additionally, this analysis accounts for likely technological changes in the more energy-efficient flash furnace smelting technologies and electricity generation from 2030 to 2050 to forecast the long-term impacts of copper production. Life cycle impact assessment results for copper production are characterized using the ReCiPe 2008 midpoint method. LCA results show that, for most impact categories, the flash-based technology can achieve significantly lower environmental impacts than a shaft furnace (i.e., to produce 1 ton of copper in 2010 generates, on average, a 24% lower overall impact). For climate change, transitioning from shaft furnace-based copper production to more efficient flash furnace technology leads to decreasing GHG emissions of 29% in 2010, 50% in 2030, and 56% in 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for drug-resistant depression (DRD). We estimated the short- and long-term effects of ECT on cognitive functions in patients with unipolar and bipolar DRD. Methods. We investigated 63 patients (18 male, 45 female), aged 34–75 years. Cognitive assessments were performed before, immediately after 6–12 ECT sessions, and 3 months thereafter, using the Benton Visual Retention, Trail Making (TMT), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) tests, the Digit Span of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVLT), verbal fluency and Stroop tests. Results. Immediately after ECT, a significant worsening was noted in some indices of memory and verbal fluency. However, 3 months after ECT, the indices of both RAVLT and verbal fluency significantly improved compared to baseline, and those of the Benton and ROCF were significantly better than before ECT. The Digit Span, Stroop and TMT were not affected by the treatment. Conclusions. The negative effects of ECT on the reported measures of cognition are transient. After 3 months, the indices of memory were significantly better than before the treatment. In addition to its antidepressant effect in DRD, ECT may also exert a long-term favourable influence on some cognitive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Selenium is an essential element possessing antioxidant properties and the treatment with it has displayed protective effects against toxicity of different substances occurring in the environment and food as well as against the side effects of some drugs. Lithium is used in medicine although numerous side effects can occur during therapy, including disturbances of the heart. For these reasons studies to find protective adjuvants have been performed. In the current study the possibility of selenium (as sodium selenite) application as a protective adjuvant in lithium treatment was studied. Main methods Male Wistar rats were treated: control — with saline; Li-group — with Li 2 CO 3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se-group — with Na 2 SeO 3 (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Li + Se-group simultaneously with Li 2 CO 3 and Na 2 SeO 3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively) by a stomach tube for a period of three weeks, once a day. In heart homogenate activities of antioxidant enzymes — catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), concentrations of low-molecular-weight antioxidants — ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) values were determined. GPx/SOD and CAT/SOD ratios were evaluated. Key findings In comparison with control selenium caused no significant changes of the studied parameters except for GPx, whereas lithium slightly disturbed TAS and markedly GPx, CAT and CAT/SOD ratio. In Li-treated rats co-administration of selenium displayed tendency towards restoring the impaired parameters. Significance The results suggest that research on selenium application as an adjuvant in lithium therapy is worthy to be continued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LCA is a popular tool widely used to assess the environmental impact of waste management systems, which is illustrated by the substantial number of LCA computer models specifically addressing this subject. Due to the complex nature of waste management modelling and the range of country-specific data, as well as lack of harmonization, it has been observed that there are large discrepancies between the results using different models. Many studies have underlined the necessity of clearly identifying both the scope and methodological assumptions of LCAs in order to have confidence in the results. Therefore, the paper presented here reveals several methodology-related issues. The study tests two different pieces of LCA software, i.e. IWM-2 (designed specifically for MSW) and SimaPro (a generic and widely used LCA software). The pieces of software were used to LCA an MSW scenario and the results obtained (calculated using Ecoindicator'99 H/A) were compared to show the strengths and weaknesses of these tools, i.e., generic software usually treats the waste as a set of separate fractions, not as a whole mass, which means that the software is not highly sensitive to the composition of the waste and does not take into account the environmental impacts produced as a result of the interaction between the waste components after mixing. As waste composition is very important in planning, one study combines these two software packages to get final results, i.e., data generated by IWM-2 were entered into SimaPro. The discussion is built around a case study in Poland where waste management scenarios have been analyzed. The research carried out has shown that having the same initial inventory data collected on the basis of the same assumptions and with the same boundaries to the system model used and using the same method of LCIA to assess the impact on the environment, may not produce the same end results. In the presented study, the main differences in the LCIA results appeared in four output-related impact categories: carcinogens, climate change, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication/acidification, and for one input related impact category fossil fuels. Four reasons responsible for these differences are identified: (1) The IWM-2 program identified a smaller number of substances emitted to air and water associated with landfill and recycling than the Ecoinvent database (IWM-2 identified a total of 31 types of emissions to air and water for landfill while Ecoinvent identified 405 types, IWM-2 identified 39 types of emissions for recycling while Ecoinvent identified 403 types) (2) The IWM-2 program did not cover emissions to the soil, while the Ecoinvent database identified 60 types of such impact for landfill and 58 for recycling (3) The IWM-2 program does not cover consumption of resources, while the Ecoinvent database covered the use of 198 kinds of raw material (including 100 different minerals and fossil fuels) (4) In each case a different total mass of emissions and resources consumed was identified in the analysis of the inventory included in both analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many traditional practices related to pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period are used around the world. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare traditional methods used by women of different cultures during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a maternity hospital in Turkey and gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinics in Poland. The study sample consisted of 235 women from Turkey and 230 women from Poland. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: It was found that pregnancy-related traditional methods using an increase in skin changes were perceived by 40.3% of the women in Turkey as a pregnancy indicator and a predictor of gender of the infant by the shape of the abdomen in 90.8% of women. Delivery-related traditional methods of burying the umbilical cord were used by 80.1% of women, and postpartum-related traditional methods using depilatory agents for perineal care were endorsed by 42.1% of women. Praying for protection from the evil eye and other evil situations was reported by 62.3% of women. It was found that pregnancy-related traditional methods using intuition were reported by 43.8% of the women in Poland, and the prediction of the gender of an infant was also based on intuitions. Delivery-related traditional methods to prevent the retention of the placenta with massage were reported by 66.7% of women. Postpartum-related traditional methods of taking a shower for perineal care were practiced by 92.2% of women in addition to using red items for protection from the evil eye and other evil situations. Conclusions: It was found that there are various traditional practices during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period in both countries that are similar, but differences also exist between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] LCA study of four functionally equivalent single-family houses were performed. [•] As a renewable material, wood is ideal for sustainable buildings. [•] Benefits of using wood appear in almost all stages of buildings’ life cycles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reproductive factors play significantly important roles in determining the breast cancer (BC) risk. The impact of pregnancy, abortion, and birth control methods on tumor development remains unclear. It has been found that early full-term pregnancies in young women can lower their lifetime risk of developing the type of cancer in question. However, having a first full-term pregnancy at an older age can increase this risk. The relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer (BC) is, however, much more complicated. Both induced and spontaneous abortions lead to sudden changes in hormonal balance, which could cause different effects on sensitive breast epithelial cells, making abortion a potential risk factor for breast cancer. The influence of hormonal contraception on carcinogenesis is not comprehensively understood, and therefore, more exhaustive analysis of existing data and further investigation is needed. This review explores how the mentioned reproductive factors affect the risk of breast cancer (BC), focusing on the molecular mechanisms that contribute to its complexity. By comprehending this intricate network of relationships, we can develop new strategies for predicting and treating the disease. • Repro factors: complex BC influence. • Pregnancy timing matters in BC. • Contraception impacts BC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of edible flowers in Poland, just like all over the world, is increasing due in part to their nutritional benefits. Due to edible flowers being usually eaten fresh or minimally processed, the consumption of flowers can pose a microbiological hazard. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial quality of selected edible flowers produced in Poland. In particular, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus aureus) and moulds, as well as yeasts were determined. The results demonstrated that no Salmonella sp. were present in investigated flowers. E. coli was found only in nasturtium flowers. All flower samples contained Staphylococcus aureus at ˃ 3 log CFU g−1 and the total yeast and mould loads were less than 6 log CFU g−1. The method of harvesting did not affect the microbial contamination. - This article concerns information on the hygienic quality and microbial status of selected edible flowers produced in Poland. - The microbial contamination of edible flowers is comparable to the one observed in ready-to-eat fresh salads. - The method of harvesting did not affect the microbial contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy is often a first-line therapeutic approach for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs) can potentially resolve the problem of chemotherapeutic drug off-targeting effects. Herein, we examined in vivo models to determine the efficacy of Her2-targeting silk spheres (H2.1MS1) as DDSs for delivering doxorubicin (Dox) to Her2-positive and Her2-negative primary and metastatic mouse breast cancers. Results: The specific accumulation of H2.1MS1 spheres was demonstrated at the site of Her2-positive cancer. Dox delivered only by functionalized H2.1MS1 particles selectively inhibited Her2-positive cancer growth in primary and metastatic models. Moreover, the significant effect of the Dox dose and the frequency of treatment administration on the therapeutic efficacy was indicated. Although the control MS1 spheres accumulated in the lungs in Her2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the Dox-loaded MS1 particles did not treat cancer. Histopathological examination revealed no systemic toxicity after multiple administrations and at increased doses of Dox-loaded silk spheres. Although the studies were performed in immunocompetent mice, the H2.1MS1 silk spheres efficiently delivered the drug, which exerted a therapeutic effect. Conclusion: Our results indicated that functionalized silk spheres that enable cell-specific recognition, cellular internalization, and drug release represent an efficient strategy for cancer treatment in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, a patient with Turner's syndrome diagnosed at the age of five years is described. Since early childhood she displayed inadequate behaviours and deficits in communication. Her parents related their daughter's difficulties with TS, hypothyroidism, and coeliac disease. Cumulative difficulties persuaded caregivers to elaborate the diagnosis, which was done by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a special educational needs teacher. Based on the interview, clinical trials for autism, and mental state examination a diagnosis of atypical autism at the age of 18 years was made. Since the age of 17 years, the patient remained in psychiatric care because of mood fluctuations, impulsivity, and irritability. She was diagnosed with depressive episodes, and was prescribed antidepressant medication, with improvement in her mental state. At the age of 21 years, severe depression with psychotic symptoms and suicidal tendencies appeared, resulting in psychiatric hospitalisation. Gradual improvement was obtained by pharmacotherapy (clomipramine, lithium, clozapine). Psychotherapeutic interventions have been difficult because of unstable family engagement in the patient's treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus placed on maximizing user engagement in online advertising negatively affects the user experience because of advertising clutter and increasing intrusiveness. An intelligent decision support system providing balance between user experience and profits from online advertising based on the fuzzy multi-objective optimization model is presented in this paper. The generalized mathematical model uses uncertain parameters for content descriptors that are difficult to be precisely defined and measured, such as the level of intrusiveness and the change in performance over time. The search for final decision solutions and the verification of the proposed model are based on experimental results from both perceptual studies, which are evaluating visibility and intrusiveness of marketing content as well as online campaigns providing interaction data for estimation of effectiveness. Surprisingly, the online response to the most noticeable advertisements with highly perceived visibility and intrusiveness was relatively low. During the field study performed in order to compute the model parameters, the best results were achieved for advertising content with moderate visual influence on web users. Simulations with the proposed model revealed that a growing level of persuasion can increase results only to a certain extent. Above a saturation point, a strategy based on extensive visual effects, such as high-frequency flashing, resulted in a very high increase of intrusiveness and a slightly better performance in terms of acquired interactions. Proposed balanced content design with the use of intelligent decision support system creates directions towards sustainable advertising and a friendlier online environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of cancer is constantly increasing. Chemo/radiotherapy is one of major methods of treating cancer. Although adverse chemo/radiotherapy events, such as anemia and neutropenia, can be successfully cured, thrombocytopenia is still problematic. We constructed the Hyper-IL11 (H11) cytokine by linking soluble interleukin 11 receptor alpha (sIL-11Ralpha) with IL-11. In vivo H11 activity was examined in myelosuppressed mice. Myelosuppression was induced by either i) sublethal irradiation and carboplatin administration or ii) sublethal irradiation. A dose of 100 μg/kg of H11 or IL-11 was administered subcutaneously for 7 days. IL-11 and H11 accelerated leukocyte, hematocrit and platelet recovery. The effect on the attenuation of thrombocytopenia was significant. Moreover, both cytokines increased the cellularity and numbers of megakaryocyte, erythroid, and granulocyte/macrophage progenitors in the bone morrow and spleen compared with the control. Although H11 was administered at a molar concentration that was three times lower, its effects were comparable with or better than those of IL-11; thus, the activity of H11 was superior to that of IL-11. Because no toxicity was observed after the intravenous administration of H11, this hyper-cytokine may be potentially useful for treatment of thrombocytopenia and other IL-11-dependent disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Much attention has recently been devoted to the surface of bulk catalysts. It has been proved that the most critical phenomena occur at the surface, which differs significantly from the bulk. To evaluate the role of the bulk in VPO catalyst, vanadium and phosphorus were supported on γ-alumina by incipient wetness impregnation at a total V+P of two monolayers so that nanoscaled VPO phases (n-VPO) form on alumina, such size maximizes the surface-to-bulk ratio. Alumina support stabilizes V5+, which may be reduced, while V4+ predominates in bulk vanadyl pyrophosphate phase. In addition, the support modifies acid–base and textural properties. The presence of VPO nanocrystals supported on alumina (n-VPO) facilitates investigating the interaction between alumina-dispersed vanadia and VPO-lattice vanadium ions. Both, bulk and supported phases are active for propane ammoxidation affording acrylonitrile yields of 41% and 48%, respectively, at 500°C. The yield to acrylonitrile per mass unit of VPO increases by 150% at 500°C in the alumina-stabilized n-VPO system when compared to the bulk VPO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Various niobium-containing meso- and macroporous materials were prepared and characterised by means of XRD and H2-TPR techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and sorption measurements. They were tested in the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene to epoxide with hydrogen peroxide. The effect of various parameters such as a nature of solvent, material structure, atmosphere on the activity and selectivity of the reaction was studied. NbMCM-41 and NbSM-2 materials are highly active in the epoxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]