The influence of weather conditions on the course of pollen seasons of alder (Alnus spp.), hazel (Corylus spp.) and birch (Betula spp.) in Lublin (2001-2006)

The start and rate of florescence of Alnus, Corylus and Betula are dependent on meteorological conditions. In the present paper we have analysed the effect of mean, maximum and minimum temperature, relative air humidity and precipitation on the onset of the pollen season as well as on its length and annual count of pollen grains in alder, hazel and birch. The measurement of pollen fall was done by the gravimetric methods with the use of Durham sampler. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the determined characteristics of the pollen season and weather conditions. In the six-year research period 2001-2006 it was observed that low temperatures in January produced a delayed start of the pollen season in alder, hazel and birch. The beginning of flowering in these taxa was also influenced by thermal conditions prevailing directly before the season (ca. 10 days). The pollen season of the trees in question tended to be prolonged alongside with the increase in relative air humidity, but it was shortened due to higher temperatures. The volume of alder and hazel pollen release increased together with the rise in relative air humidity and precipitation. The annual counts of birch pollen increased along with rising temperature and decreasing relative air humidity and precipitation in the season

Bacterial biofilm on PLA film and methods of its identification

This paper presents a brief characterization of bacterial biofilm, formed on polylactide, ecologically important biodegradable material. The concept of bacterial biofilm was explained, including the process of its formation as well as the structure and model of functioning in a biological environment. Three methods of its determination and documentation by spectrophotometric measurement, live/dead test using fluorescence microscope and surface structure analysis using scanning electron microscope were presented

Flowering phenology and pollen seasons of Corylus spp. in Lublin (Poland), 2008-2011

In the years 2008-2011, phenological observations of flowering of male inflorescences were carried out in seven taxa from the genus Corylus: C. americana, C. avellana, C. avellana ‘Contorta’, C. avellana ‘Pendula’, C. × colurnoides, C. cornuta, C. maxima, grown in the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Botanical Garden in Lublin. Simultaneously, the hazel pollen seasons in the atmosphere of Lublin were analysed using a Durham sampler. The aim of the work was to assess the flowering in seven Corylus taxa in relation to selected meteorological elements and to describe the pollen seasons in the years 2008-2011. During the study years, the annual phenological cycles in the studied Corylus taxa differed markedly in terms of timing of the onset of the successive flowering phases. During the four years of observations, the earliest beginning of hazel flowering was found at the end of January, whereas the latest – at the end of March. The earliest full bloom took place in the first decade of February, and the latest – in the first decade of April. The end of flowering was reported in February or in the first or second decade of April. Each year, C. avellana was the first to produce flowers and it was subsequently followed by C. americana, C. × colurnoides, C. maxima, C. avellana ‘Pendula’, C. avellana ‘Contorta’, and C. cornuta. The pollen seasons in the study period began at the end of January, in the second decade of February, or in the first decade of March. The end of the pollen seasons most frequently took place in the first or second decade of April. The length of the pollen seasons ranged from 38 to 49 days, while the length of the flowering periods in the individual taxa was 22 days on average. During the four study years, the onset of flowering in C. avellana and the beginning of the pollen season coincided on the same day, whereas the onset of flowering in the other taxa was usually reported after the beginning of the pollen seasons. The flowering period of C. avellana ‘Contorta’ and C. cornuta lasted from 5 to 16 days after the pollen season. The development of inflorescences was most closely related to maximum temperature and relative air humidity

Analysis of the FIDIC arbitration clause in the light of international jurisprudence

The aim of the paper is to present the subject matter related to the procedure of resolving disputes arising in connection with implementation of agreements concluded on the basis of contract models published by the international federation FIDIC in 1999 Red and Yellow Book. The intention of the authors of the FIDIC templates was to apply an autonomous multistage procedure (the so-called multi-step clause) for resolving disputes based on arbitration without taking the matter to court. However, the application of the procedure proposed by FIDIC raises controversies of legal and factual nature. The problems concern, in particular: the nature, immediate enforceability, contestability of decisions issued by the Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) and methods of their reinforcement. Other issues concern the absence of ‘standing’ or ‘full-term’ Adjudication Board and the right to arbitration in case when a party violates the internal dispute resolution procedure described in the contract, both for reasons dependent on and beyond its control. The publication is of legal and comparative nature and contains the analysis of related jurisprudence of civil law systems of selected countries

An analysis of grass (Poaceae) pollen seasons in Lublin in 2001-2008

Grass pollen allergens are a frequent cause of pollen allergy in Poland and other European countries. The research on aeroplankton conducted in Lublin since 2001 allows characterization of the course of grass pollen seasons and estimation of the effect of maximum and minimum temperatures, relative air humidity, precipitation and maximum wind velocity on the taxon's pollen concentration. The gravimetric method was used in the study. During the eight-year research period, the pollen season usually started in the first or second decade of May and, as a rule, it lasted till the end of August, and quite exceptionally, in 2002 and 2008 till mid-August. The mean length of the pollen season was 107 days. The highest grass pollen risk was observed in the 26th and 27th week. The highest annual counts reaching over 3600 pollen grains × cm-2 were noted in 2008, while in the other study years they ranged from 741 to 1909. The date of the pollen season onset and its course were highly dependent on weather conditions, which was confirmed by the statistical analysis. The greatest significant influence on the pollen season was exerted by maximum temperature, relative air humidity and the maximum wind

Activity of compounds of natural origin against Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, a common fruit juices contaminant

Fruit product industry struggles with emerging problem of microbial contamination with Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. This acidothermophilic, soil-borne and sporeforming bacterium posses ability to survive commercial pasteurization and thus may cause fruit juices spoilage. Even modern technologies are not effective enough to eliminate A. acidoterrestris from the industrial environments. The green consumer attitude and safety standards suggest adaptation of natural and safe solutions. This paper summarizes the bioactivity of compounds of natural origin which could serve as anti-alicyclobacilli preservation agents maintaining stability of fruit juices

Implementation of a RANLUX Based Pseudo-Random Number Generator in FPGA Using VHDL and Impulse C

Monte Carlo simulations are widely used e.g. in the field of physics and molecular modelling. The main role played in these is by the high performance random number generators, such as RANLUX or MERSSENE TWISTER. In this paper the authors introduce the world's first implementation of the RANLUX algorithm on an FPGA platform for high performance computing purposes. A significant speed-up of one generator instance over 60 times, compared with a graphic card based solution, can be noticed. Comparisons with concurrent solutions were made and are also presented. The proposed solution has an extremely low power demand, consuming less than 2.5 Watts per RANLUX core, which makes it perfect for use in environment friendly and energy-efficient supercomputing solutions and embedded systems

New biodegradable polylactide material with antimicrobial properties

This study aimed to investigate the bactericidal, fungicidal and non-phytotoxic properties of vapor permeable polylactide films containing five different concentrations (in the range of 0.2–1.0%) of thiabendazole. All films showed bactericidal properties on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Thiabendazole introduced into polylactide affected the antifungal activity of the materials containing 0.8 and 1.0% thiabendazole. The films containing thiabendazole were characterized by increased permeability. The vapor permeability of the film increased with the increase of the biocide content in the composites. The new materials had no a negative effect on the growth and development of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. It has been shown that the presence of thiabendazole increases the water vapor permeability of polylactide films. The obtained materials are biodegradable and can be used in horticulture and agriculture to protect plants against pathogens. The use of films with biocide properties will reduce the use of plant protection products. This is particularly important due to the need to protect biodiversity in the ecosystem of agricultural soils

Functional problems after surgical treatment of spine fractures

Introduction: Despite the large amount of research on the spine injuries themselves and on methods of their treatment, there are only a few reports of functional problems faced by patients after surgical treatment of these injuries. Aim: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the occurrence of functional problems and determine their type in patients after surgical treatment of spinal injuries, to determine the impact of the severity of the injury on the occurrence of dysfunctions, to determine the impact of patients' health and fitness on the occurrence of functional problems and coping with them, to demonstrate the relationship between the mental state and the occurrence of dysfunction, determination of the impact of pain on the occurrence of functional problems, assessment of the degree of coping with dysfunctions. Materials and methods: The study included a group of 20 people (13 men and 7 women) treated surgically at the Department of Neurosurgery, Nicolas Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, due to a spine injury. The average age of the respondents was 44.6 years. The research consisted of patient answering the questions included in the patient's questionnaire, subjective descriptive test of pain intensity, modified Barthel scale and determination of pain intensity on the VAS scale. The investigator also completed an additional questionnaire in order to obtain additional information about the patient's health. Results: Research results indicate pain as the main cause of postoperative dysfunction. They concern self-service activities, travel, sleep and social life. As it has been shown on the basis of research, the quality of coping with functional problems depends on factors such as physical fitness, the activity of daily life before the injury, the presence of comorbidities, mental attitude and the severity of the injury

Simultaneous occurrence of C5 vertebral angioma and C5-C6 discopathy and stenosis - case report

Introduction. Vertebral angioma is a benign tumor of blood vessels. Since they usually do not cause any pain, they are usually diagnosed by accident while diagnosing other conditions within the spine. In case when pain occurs and persists or even intensifies a vertebroplasty should be performed. Case presentation. A 50-year-old patient admitted to the Neurosurgery Department for surgical treatment of C5 vertebral angioma and C5-C6 stenosis and discopathy. In physical examinations on admission: general condition good, back pain at the lower part of the cervical spine, neck pain radiating to the left upper limb, no sensory disturbance. Based on the clinical symptoms and the MRI image, the patient was qualified for simultaneous surgical decompression of C5-C6 stenosis and C5 vertebroplasty. Because of the C5 vertebral angioma shown in MRI, administration of PMMA was performed in a first step, for vascular coagulation and restoration of C5 vertebral strength, and a discectomy with decompression and implantation of cage at C5-C6 level in a second step. After the surgery the patient's condition improved, pain ailments regressed. Conclusion. The decision and choice of vertebral angiomas treatment must be based both on the clinical symptoms and the MRI image. In case of surgical management of simultaneous occurrence of vertebral angioma and discopathy and stenosis, vertebroplasty should be performed first, followed by decompression and cage implantation