The effect of UV-B on Arabidopsis leaves depends on light conditions after treatment

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation can influence many cellular processes. Irradiation with high UV-B doses causes chlorophyll degradation, a decrease in the expression of genes associated with photosynthesis and its subsequent inhibition. On the other hand, sublethal doses of UV-B are used in post-harvest technology to prevent yellowing in storage. To address this inconsistency the effect of short, high-dose UV-B irradiation on detached Arabidopsis thaliana leaves was examined. RESULTS: Two different experimental models were used. After short treatment with a high dose of UV-B the Arabidopsis leaves were either put into darkness or exposed to constant light for up to 4 days. UV-B inhibited dark-induced chlorophyll degradation in Arabidopsis leaves in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of photosynthesis-related genes, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency were higher in UV-B -treated leaves left in darkness. UV-B treatment followed by constant light caused leaf yellowing and induced the expression of senescence-related genes. Irrespective of light treatment a high UV-B dose led to clearly visible cell death 3 days after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: High doses of UV-B have opposing effects on leaves depending on their light status after UV treatment. In darkened leaves short UV-B treatment delays the appearance of senescence symptoms. When followed by light treatment, the same doses of UV-B result in chlorophyll degradation. This restricts the potential usability of UV treatment in postharvest technology to crops which are stored in darkness. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-015-0667-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Is Product Placement Really Worse Than Traditional Commercials? Cognitive Load and Recalling of Advertised Brands

Considering the large number of adverts inundating the average consumer every day, the marketing industry is seeking methods to reach clients in a more subtle manner than traditional marketing messages. One such tool is product placement. The article addresses issues of effectiveness of product placement in comparison to a traditional commercial. The objective of the study was to check how participants would recall the content of persuasive messages in conditions of artificially inducted cognitive load (in conditions of traditional advertisement and product placement). Two studies were conducted – a pre-study intended to assess the usefulness of the selected stimuli, and the main experiment. The experiment devoted to this question was planned using an ANOVA scheme 2 (Type of advert: traditional vs. product placement) × 2 (neutral conditions vs. cognitive load). It turned out that the commercial was better retained in neutral conditions than in conditions of cognitive load. The traditional commercial was remembered better than product placement. From the perspective of the study’s ecological validity, of importance is also comparison of retention of brands viewed in a traditional commercial in conditions of cognitive load with retention of brands in conditions of product placement without load. These comparisons indicate the superiority of product placement – brands presented in this manner were more frequently recalled by viewers

The concentration of particulate matter in the barn air and its influence on the content of heavy metals in milk

Heavy metals are one of the components of smog, which is mainly the product of burning fossil fuels in residential buildings. These elements, introduced into the body of cattle by inhalation, may enter the milk. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of particulate pollution in the atmospheric air on the concentration of particulate matter in the air of a dairy cattle barn and on the content of selected heavy metals in milk from cows present in the building. Measurements were taken between November and April (148 measurement days). The calculations carried out showed a high correlation (R$_{S}$ = + 0.95) between the concentrations of particulates measured outside and inside the barn, which is indicative of a significant impact of the atmospheric air on the particulate pollution level of the livestock building. The number of days in excess of the daily standard for PM$_{10}$ inside was 51. The conducted analysis of the chemical composition of the milk collected under high particulate pollution (February) showed that the permitted lead level had been exceeded—21.93 µg/kg (norm 20.00 µg/kg)

Project management

Introduction Project management is dependent on a number of variables such as the rapidly evolving environment, the market, the ability to self-improve, financial resources, market position and many others. Project implementation can therefore be defined as a combination of resources, skils, technology and creativity of project managers. Efficient and skilful project management allows a balance to be struck between the quality standards required, the objectives set and the time in which they are to be achieved, and the budget allocated. This is possible by a project team in which those responsible for the various elements of the task are identifiable, productive, efficient and wellmanaged. Project management is a growing and desirable field that has begun to attract interest at a rapid pace due to the processes of globalisation of the economy that have progressed over the turn of the year. It will be reasonable to conclude that the development of the economy in the modern world is dependent on the effectiveness of the implementation of various project tasks. One of the largest substantive scopes of projects implemented in Poland are IT projects or projects related to the computerisation of a number of entities. Despite their popularity, IT projects are usually tasks that are among the most complex and characterised by a high degree of variability and risk. This is primarily due to the significant evolution and development of information technology and the human factor, which is a risk characteristic of all types of projects. In this context, it makes sense to emphasise the importance of a thorough understanding of the proven methods used in the project management process. These methods are used in all types of projects, of course taking into account the specific scope of each project. What is more, this script will consist of several parts that will discuss the most important mechanisms and basics of project management.Publication is a part of project “KA 2.0 – the development programme of Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University” realized as a part of Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development, Axis III Higher Education for economy and development; Measure 3.5. Comprehensive university programmes. The project is co-financed by the European Union within the European Social Fun

Metody i narzędzia zapisu i udostępniania danych

Praca recenzowana / Peer-reviewed paperPrzekazujemy czytelnikowi kolejną monografię wydaną w ramach serii „Informatyka”, zawierającą publikacje pracowników związanych z Wydziałem Zarządzania i Komunikacji Społecznej Krakowskiej Akademii im. Andrzeja Frycza Modrzewskiego z obszaru problemów optymalizacji, systemów informacyjnych oraz kształcenia zdalnego. Wśród autorów niniejszej publikacji znajdują się głównie pracownicy Studium Informatyki Krakowskiej Akademii i Katedry Informatyki Stosowanej. Opublikowane artykuły są wynikiem współpracy w zespołach z pracownikami innych krakowskich uczelni. Tematyka monografii koncentruje się na metodach optymalizacji, zastosowaniach systemów informatycznych, oraz kształcenia zdalnego. Całość tematyki podzielona jest na trzy wzajemnie powiązane części. Pierwsza część zawiera trzy podrozdziały, w których podjęto kwestie kształcenia zdalnego. Druga część monografii, ujęta w kolejnych trzech podrozdziałach, prezentuje wybrane narzędzia i modele optymalizacji. Ostatnia, trzecia – przedstawia problematykę związaną z zastosowaniem systemów informatycznych w firmie

Metody analizy i oceny bezpieczeństwa oraz jakości informacji

Praca recenzowana / Peer-reviewed paperTematyka monografii koncentruje się na metodach zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa informacji, procedurach wspomagających podnoszenie jakości danych oraz narzędziach zwiększających możliwości pozyskiwania z dostępnych informacji wartościowych i rzetelnych wniosków analitycznych. Publikacja podzielona jest na trzy części. Pierwsza część zawiera 3 rozdziały, w których podjęto kwestie zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa informacji. Druga część monografii, ujęta w kolejnych trzech rozdziałach, prezentuje wybrane narzędzia i modele organizacji zasobów cyfrowych mających na celu zapewnienie wysokiej jakości, użyteczności oraz wiarygodności zbiorów danych zawartych w repozytoriach. Ostatnia część pracy przedstawia problematykę związaną z prawem Benforda, pozwalającym ocenić stopień rzetelności danych na podstawie analizy rozkładów cyfr w liczbach weryfikowanego zbioru danych

4C Mortality Score correlates with in-hospital functional outcome after COVID-19-associated ischaemic stroke

Aim of the study. The 4C Mortality Score was created to predict mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and has to date been evaluated only in respiratory system disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate its application in patients with COVID-19-associated acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).Clinical rationale for study. COVID-19 is a risk factor for AIS. COVID-19-associated AIS results in higher mortality and worse functional outcome. Predictors of functional outcome in COVID-19-associated AIS are required.Materials and methods. This was a retrospective observational study of patients with AIS hospitalised in seven neurological wards in Małopolska Voivodship (Poland) between August and December 2020. We gathered data concerning the patients’ age, sex, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, type of treatment received, and the presence of stroke-associated infections (including pneumonia, urinary tract infection and infection of unknown source). We calculated 4C Mortality Score at stroke onset, and investigated whether there was a correlation with neurological deficit measured using the National Health Institute Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional outcome assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge.Results. The study included 52 patients with COVID-19-associated AIS. The 4C Mortality Score at stroke onset correlated with mRS (rs = 0.565, p < 0.01) at discharge. There was also a statistically significant difference in the mean 4C Mortality Score between patients who died and patients who survived the stroke (13.08 ± 2.71 vs. 9.85 ± 3.47, p = 0.04).Conclusions and clinical implications. 4C Mortality Score predicts functional outcome at discharge in COVID-19-associated AIS patients

The role of open-air inhalatoria in the air quality improvement in spa towns

Objectives: The present study was aimed at evaluating microbiological contamination of air in Ciechocinek and Ino­wro­cław – Polish lowland spa towns. Additionally, the impact of open-air inhalatoria on the quality of air was evaluated. Material and Methods: Air samples were collected seasonally in the urban areas, in the recreation areas and in the vicinity of inhalatoria in both towns using impaction. The numbers of mesophilic bacteria, staphylococci, hemolytic bacteria and actinomycetes were determined on media according to the Polish Standard PN-86/Z-04111/02. The number of moulds was determined on media according to the Polish Standard PN-86/Z-04111/03. Results: While the highest numbers of microorganisms were noted at the sites located in the urban areas, the lowest numbers were noted in the vicinity of the open-air inhalatoria. In all the investigated air samples the values of bioaerosol concentrations were below the recommended TLVs (≤ 5000 CFU×m–3 for both bacteria and fungi in outdoor environments). Location of the sampling site was invariably a decisive factor in determining the number of microorganisms in the air. Conclusions: The aerosol which is formed in the open-air inhalatoria has a positive influence on microbiological air quality. Owing to a unique microclimate and low air contamination, Ciechocinek and Inowrocław comply with all necessary requirements set for health resorts specializing in treating upper respiratory tract infections