Comprehensive Palaeobotanical Studies of Lacustrine-Peat Bog Sediments from the Mazovian/ Holsteinian Interglacial at the Site of Nowiny Żukowskie (Se Poland) – Preliminary Study

The environmental variability during the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial is better understood thanks to the results of multidisciplinary palaeobotanical studies. The perfectly preserved and abundant material from Nowiny Żukowskie in SE Poland has been the subject of numerous palaeobotanical analyses. The results both of initial pollen analysis and of the examination of plant macroremains provide a detailed view of changes in the palaeoenvironment of this area during the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial. Originally, the water basin was mostly the habitat of plants indicative of low trophy. The frequent occurence of swamp plants evidences a change in hydrological and climatic conditions consistent with the intra-interglacial climatic oscillation. In the subsequent part of the optimum, an expansion of swamps with Aracites interglacialis and Dulichium arundinaceum was recorded. The development of a peat bog overgrown by i.a. Sphagnum sp., Eriophorum vaginatum, and Andromeda polifolia was also observed. The growth of swamp and peat vegetation resulted in the nearly complete disappearance of aquatic vegetation, apart from species typical of the climatic optimum of the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial: Brasenia borysthenica and Aldrovanda dokturovskyi. The close of the interglacial was marked by the intensive development of peat bog and swamp communities with Carex rostrata, Menyanthes trifoliata, and A. interglacialis. The intensive increase in the number of A. interglacialis during the period described as the “birch oscillation” supports the hypothesis of noticeable changes in hydrological conditions at that time. The end of the described period is typified by a deterioration of climatic conditions, indicated by the increase in values for Betula humilis, B. nana, and Juniperus communis

Activity coefficient at infinite dilution of aqueous solutions of nonionic hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon surfactants as well as their ternary mixtures

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution of the aqueous solutions of nonionic hydrocarbon surfactants, p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenoxypoly(ethylene glycols), Triton X-100 (TX100) and Triton X-165 (TX165), fluorocarbon surfactants, Zonyl FSN-100 (FSN100) and Zonyl FSO-100 (FSO100) and their ternary mixtures were determined from the Gracia-Fadrique et al. method for non-volatile compounds. The values of activity coefficients were calculated taking into account the surface tension data of the studied systems at 293K and compared to those determined on the basis of the values of the contact angle of solutions on the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) surfaces and the solid-liquid interface tension

Lichens in the rural landscape of the Warmia Plain

Lichens and lichenicolous fungi in the rural landscape of the Warmia Plain were studied. Lichen species were observed on old wooden fences, roadside trees, fruit trees, pylons, farm machinery, buildings and bridges. The analysed biota consists of 104 taxa with several noteworthy and rare lichens

COMPREHENSIVE PALAEOBOTANICAL STUDIES OF LACUSTRINE-PEAT BOG SEDIMENTS FROM THE MAZOVIAN/ HOLSTEINIAN INTERGLACIAL AT THE SITE OF NOWINY ŻUKOWSKIE (SE POLAND) – PRELIMINARY STUDY

The environmental variability during the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial is better understood thanks to the results of multidisciplinary palaeobotanical studies. The perfectly preserved and abundant material from Nowiny Żukowskie in SE Poland has been the subject of numerous palaeobotanical analyses. The results both of initial pollen analysis and of the examination of plant macroremains provide a detailed view of changes in the palaeoenvironment of this area during the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial. Originally, the water basin was mostly the habitat of plants indicative of low trophy. The frequent occurence of swamp plants evidences a change in hydrological and climatic conditions consistent with the intra-interglacial climatic oscillation. In the subsequent part of the optimum, an expansion of swamps with Aracites interglacialis and Dulichium arundinaceum was recorded. The development of a peat bog overgrown by i.a. Sphagnum sp., Eriophorum vaginatum, and Andromeda polifolia was also observed. The growth of swamp and peat vegetation resulted in the nearly complete disappearance of aquatic vegetation, apart from species typical of the climatic optimum of the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial: Brasenia borysthenica and Aldrovanda dokturovskyi. The close of the interglacial was marked by the intensive development of peat bog and swamp communities with Carex rostrata, Menyanthes trifoliata, and A. interglacialis. The intensive increase in the number of A. interglacialis during the period described as the “birch oscillation” supports the hypothesis of noticeable changes in hydrological conditions at that time. The end of the described period is typified by a deterioration of climatic conditions, indicated by the increase in values for Betula humilis, B. nana, and Juniperus communis.

Study of the influence of the binary mixtures of fluorocarbon surfactants on the surface tension of water

Influence of the binary mixtures of fluorocarbon surfactants Zonyl FSO-100  (FSO100) and Zonyl FSN-100 (FSN100) on the surface tension of the water was studied. The effectiveness of adsorption process of the surfactant at the water-air interface was calculated from the obtained values of the surface tension of studied mixtures. Also the maximum surface area per molecule of surfactant in the interfacial area  and the free energy at the water-air interface  were determined. Moreover, the existence of synergetizm or antagonism effect, which reduces the surface tension of the water was examined. On the basis of the Rosen's model parameter the values of intermolecular interactions in the mixed monolayer adsorption were calculated

The influence of selected socio-demographic factors and the perception of the applied therapy on quality of life of women with breast cancer

Introduction. Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy detected in women in Poland. Every year 14.1% of women die of breast cancer. An important role, among cancer patients, in the treatment process plays their mental attitude, which is related to the perceived satisfaction with life, acceptance of the disease, satisfaction of treatment and coherence. Not without significance is the quality of life, which is considered assessment of the efficacy and safety of therapy. QoL (ang. Quality of life) in cancer depends on the severity and type of the treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of selected sociodemographic variables (education, age, marital status, financial situation) and satisfaction with the effects of treatment on quality of life of women with breast cancer. Material and methods. The study involved 150 women with breast cancer. We used a standardized questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 to survey a quality of life and own questionnaire. Socio-clinical data have taken from medical records. Results. Older age (r=0.168; p=0.04), good material situation (p=0.004), secondary education level (p=0.041) correlated with better functioning in daily activities. Decreased quality of life in elderly patients was associated with insomnia (r=0.246; p=0.002) as well as financial problems (r=0.166; p=0.043). Patients with primary education level and working have significantly greater financial problems than patients with higher education level (p=0.005). No permanent partner was significantly associated with financial problems (p=0.016), whereas patients that are in a very good financial situation significantly better sexual function compared to patients with good and bad situation (

Nanocomposites Based on Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers

The use of fillers in order to enhance the properties of polymers has been already well documented. Fundamentally, traditional fillers were applied to reduce the cost of the final polymeric products. Moreover, most micron-sized fillers required high loading for slight properties enhancement, thus causing problems in processing and melt flow due to the high viscosity of the obtained composite. Nanofillers might constitute the answer to the requirements made to the modern polymer materials. Nanofillers in the range of 3–5 wt% achieve the same reinforcement as 20–30 wt% of micron-sized fillers. Therefore, this study presents the influence of three different types of nanofillers that differ in shape (aspect ratio) on the morphology, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability of polyester thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) matrix, by means of poly(trimethylene)-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide) copolymer (PTT-PTMO). The morphology in this copolymer consisted of semicrystalline PTT domains dispersed in the soft phase of amorphous, noncrystallisable PTMO. The PTT-PTMO copolymer has been combined with 0.5 wt% of 1D (single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), silicon carbide (SiC) nanofibers), 2D (graphene oxide (GO), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)), and 3D (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)) through in situ synthesis to obtain nanocomposites (NCs) samples

Cerebral metastases of lung cancer mimicking multiple ischaemic lesions : a case report and review of literature

Background: Restricted diffusion that is found on magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) typically indicates acute ischaemic stroke. However, restricted diffusion can also occur in other diseases, like metastatic brain tumours, which we describe in this case report. Case Report: A 57-year-old male, with a diagnosis of small-cell cancer of the right lung (microcellular anaplastic carcinoma), was admitted with focal neurological symptoms. Initial brain MRI revealed multiple, disseminated lesions that were hyperintense on T2-weighted images and did not enhance after contrast administration; notably, some lesions manifested restricted diffusion on DWI images. Based on these findings, disseminated ischaemic lesions were diagnosed. On follow-up MRI that was performed after 2 weeks, we observed enlargement of the lesions; there were multiple, disseminated, sharply outlined, contrast-enhancing, oval foci with persistent restriction of diffusion. We diagnosed the lesions as disseminated brain metastases due to lung cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a patient with brain metastases that were characterised by restricted diffusion and no contrast enhancement. Conclusions: Multiple, disseminated brain lesions, that are characterised by restricted diffusion on DWI, typically indicate acute or hyperacute ischemic infarcts; however, they can also be due to hypercellular metastases, even if no contrast enhancement is observed. This latter possibility should be considered particularly in patients with cancer

Ginsenoside content in suspension cultures of Panax quinquefolium L. cultivated in shake flasksand stirred-tank bioreactor

Plant suspension cultures are described as a source for the acquisition of medicinal secondary metabolites which in the future may become an alternative to traditional raw materials. This study demonstrates that the cell cultures of one of the ginseng species – Panax quinquefolium L. synthesize ginsenosides, which are triterpene saponins having a multidirectional pharmacological effects. Tested suspension cultures were run on a small scale in the shake flasksand in scale up of the process in a 10-liter stirred tank. In the shake flasks,the highest biomass yield (2.28 gl-1 for dry and 33.99 gl-1 for fresh weight) was reached on day 30 of culture, and the highest content of saponins (2.66 mg g -1 dw) was determined on day 28 of culture. In the bioreactor, nearly 2.67 and 3-fold increase of respectively dry and fresh biomass was recorded in relation to the inoculum. Large-scale cultures synthesized protopanaxatriol derivatives such as Rg1 and Re ginsenosides, however, no saponins belonging to the protopanaxadiol derivatives were reported

Bio-based aliphatic/aromatic poly(trimethylene furanoate/sebacate) random copolymers:Correlation between mechanical, gas barrier performances and compostability and copolymer composition

Highly promising fully biobased random copolyesters, poly(trimethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate-co-trimethylene sebacate) (PTFcoPTSeb), were synthesized by using bio derived 1,3-propanediol, dimethyl ester of 2,5- furandicarboxylic acid, and sebacic acid, through eco-friendly polycondensation in the melt. Copolymers with high molecular weight containing 5, 15, 25 mol % of PTSeb were obtained, and their chemical structure confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The thermal, tensile and gas barrier properties and composability were studied in relation to the copolymer supramolecular structure. As expected, introduction of PTSeb co-units results in lowering of glass transition temperature of copolymers and improves their flexibility. Besides, all copolymers showed outstanding gas barrier properties to O2 and CO2, with copolymer containing 15 mol % of PTSeb showing exceptional gas barrier properties, better than those of PTF and comparable to those of EVOH, currently used in multilayer packaging films. The same copolymer exhibited temperature induced shape memory behaviour. It was found that low amounts (15-25 mol %) of PTSeb in copolymer significantly modifies PTF thermal, mechanical and barrier properties and renders the final material compostable. Copolyesters containing 15 and 25 mol % of PTSeb can compete in some applications with commercially available compostable Ecoflex® polymer, but with markedly improved barrier properties.</p