Benefits, Inconveniences, and Facilities of the Application of Rain Gardens in Urban Spaces from the Perspective of Climate Change—A Review

The need to support existing sewage systems is obvious due to the noticeable consequences of climate change, such as extreme rainfall, which is causing more urban flooding. It is believed that these phenomena will intensify in the long-term, and that sewage systems will be overloaded with stormwater. Consequently, cities will need more opportunities to protect themselves from flooding. Moreover, longer periods of drought will increase the temperatures in towns. The use of blue and green infrastructure is being used to adapt to climate change and to limit its effects in cities. However, it is important not to apply these solutions indiscriminately. They have obvious advantages, but are also limited in their uses. Facilities are also being developed for the design and construction of green infrastructure. This article presents the benefits of using rain gardens in urban spaces and in relation to other forms of blue–green infrastructure; it also explored the problems that may occur while using them. More important facilitations in the implementation of rain gardens into urban fabrics are discussed, particularly in the context of the existing inconveniences. A holistic approach to the issue was applied addressing technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects

Poverty and social exclusion in the context of the implementation of the sustainable development goals

PURPOSE: The article aims to analyze the differentiation in poverty and social exclusion in the European Union countries between 2010 and 2018. The empirical research was based on a database of sustainable development indicators, from which indicators describing poverty and social exclusion were selected.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research used one of the taxonomic methods – the TOPSIS method, based on which countries were divided into four classes characterized by a similar level of poverty and social exclusion.FINDINGS: The research results show that the highest level of poverty and social exclusion (at least 20th place in the rankings) was recorded mainly in the EU countries after 2004, except for Greece and Portugal. On the other hand, Finland had the lowest level of poverty and social exclusion in 2010 (in 2018, it was ranked second), and in 2018 the Chech Republic, which, compared to 2010, moved up by four positions in the ranking.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The presented research results are essential for developing a policy of eradicating poverty and social exclusion. Well-functioning social protection systems can have a stabilizing effect on the economy and promote socio-economic equality.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article contributes to the most current European and world scientific discussions on the need to eliminate poverty and social exclusion, which are some of the world's most severe social problems.peer-reviewe

Comparison of dose volume histograms for supine and prone position in patients irradiated for prostate cancer—A preliminary study

AbstractAimTo compare DVHs for OARs in two different positions – prone and supine – for prostate cancer patients irradiated with a Tomotherapy unit.BackgroundIn the era of dose escalation, the choice of optimal patient immobilization plays an essential role in radiotherapy of prostate cancer.Materials and methodsThe study included 24 patients who were allocated to 3 risk groups based on D’Amico criteria; 12 patients represented a low or intermediate and 12 a high risk group.For each patient two treatment plans were performed: one in the supine and one in the prone position. PTV included the prostate, seminal vesicles and lymph nodes for the high risk group and the prostate and seminal vesicles for the intermediate or low risk groups. DVHs for the two positions were compared according to parameters: Dmean, D70, D50 and D20 for the bladder and rectum and Dmean, D10 for the intestine. The position accuracy was verified using daily MVCT.ResultsProne position was associated with lower doses in OARs, especially in the rectum. Despite the fact that in the entire group the differences between tested parameters were not large, the Dmean and D10 for the intestine were statistically significant. In the case of irradiation only to the prostate and seminal vesicles, the prone position allowed for substantial reduction of all tested DVH parameters in the bladder and rectum, except D20 for bladder. Moreover, the Dmean and D50 parameter differences for the bladder were statistically significant.No significant differences between positions reproducibility were demonstrated.ConclusionIn patients irradiated to prostate and seminal vesicles, the prone position may support sparing of the rectum and bladder.The reproducibility of position arrangement in both positions is comparable

Tough Sprouting – Impact of Cadmium on Physiological State and Germination Rate of Soybean Seeds

Seed germination is the earliest process in plant development and is crucial for further plant growth and fitness. The process is regulated by various internal and external factors, including soil pollutants such as nonessential metals. In the present study, we examined in detail the impact of short-term imbibition in Cd solutions at several concentrations (5, 10, and 25 mg/L) on germination rate and physiological state of soybean seeds. The results showed that although Cd was readily absorbed by the seeds, the metal had no effect on seeds cell viability, oxidative stress intensity, or germination percentage. In contrast, imbibition in Cd solution led to slight reduction in antioxidant capacity of seeds. Seedlings grown from seeds pretreated with metal showed no differences in growth in relation to the control. Taken together, the results indicate that soybean seeds are relatively tolerant even to high Cd concentration (up to 25 mg/L)

Soybean Seedlings Enriched with Iron and Magnesium - Impact on Germination, Growth and Antioxidant Properties

Abstract Iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg) deficiency in human diets is a widespread problem observed in various regions of the world. Insufficient Fe uptake results in the development of iron dependent anaemia and depressed physical and intellectual performance. In turn Mg deficiency is associated with alterations in neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems. An emerging alternative to traditional supplementation of these elements in the form of pills, liquids or effervescent tablets, is introduction of fortified food products. In present study we show that preincubation of soybean seeds in Fe and Mg solutions leads to elevated content of these elements in the seedlings. Importantly the pretreatment did not affect germination rate, seedlings growth or, with an exception of Fe supplementation at highest concentration, antioxidant capacity. The obtained results indicate that preincubation of seeds in Fe and Mg solutions may be a promising method of obtaining enriched soybean sprouts

Out-Of-Plane Displacements Determination Based on the Analysis of Point Clouds from TLS Using the M-Split Estimation

Building structures are exposed to the impact of various forces and natural phenomena. Earthquakes, heavy rains, displacements of land surrounding the building can have a significant and negative impact on the elements of buildings or entire construction objects. Terrestrial laser scanning technology can be successfully used to obtain data on changes in the structure of an object. This papier discusses the use of TLS as a measurement method for obtaining information on displacements and deformations that have occurred after heavy downpour. As a result of the rapid rain, the ground displacement occurred, which in effect led to damage to the retaining wall. The terrestrial laser scanning was used to measure the area covered by the displacements and the M-split method to model the obtained data

The level of mental and physical depletion of nurses working in neurology departments

Introducion. In the nurse profession, contact with another person plays a very important role. In the work environment of nurses there are many factors that are a source of stress, are an increasingly serious problem for working nurses and affect the level of mental and physical exhaustion. Aim. Determination of the level of mental exhaustion and physical exhaustion of nurses working at the Neurology Departments. Material and Methods. The research was conducted among 110 respondents, nurses working at the Neurology Departments in hospitals in the city of Lublin. In the research, the method of the diagnostic survey was used, using the author's questionnaire and the "Japanese Questionnaire". Results. The lowest level of fatigue occurred in people working in an eight-hour one-shift system (p = 0.049). The lowest WCWOZ (the incidence rate of fatigue symptoms) was reported in non-child victims (64.0 ± 65.4). The number of children in family has a statistically significant effect on fatigue (p = 0.034). The vast majority of respondents (86.4%) considered that the nursing staff was insufficient. The number of hours worked per month significantly determined the assessment of the nursing staff (p = 0.007). People employed in Neurology Departments under 5 years rated significantly better chances for promotion (p = 0.012) and had higher ambitions to acquire new professional qualifications (p = 0.00003). Conclusions. Physical and mental exhaustion of working nurses on the examined Neurological Wards is very high. Nurses are much more often tired compared to the surveyed nurses and the younger staff with a much lower WCWOZ. Working in more than one place results in an increase in general fatigue Key words. nurses, work overload, occupational burnout, fatigu

Bone status in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a 10-year longitudinal study

Introduction: This study presents a 10-year longitudinal assessment of bone status in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Material and methods: Thirty-two patients (12 female, aged 20.5 ± 3.93 years, T1D duration 13.9 ± 1.97 years) were studied using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Standard deviation scores (SDS) for these results were calculated. The following clinical parameters were analysed: sex, age, T1D duration, anthropometric parameters, daily insulin requirement (DIR), mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the year preceding the examination, medication other than insulin, history of bone fractures, and comorbidities. Results: The current and past (measured 10 years earlier) QUS results did not differ and showed a significant correlation (r = 0.55, p = 0.001). We found no relation of QUS results and anthropometric parameters or gender. DXA parameters did not correlate with the present QUS measurement. DXA and QUS results were independent of HbA1c, co-morbidities, or intake of additional medicaments. Conclusions: Bone status parameters of the examined patients with currently suboptimal glycaemic control were found to be lowered in comparison to a normative reference population, both at baseline and follow-up, although no further deterioration was observed during the 10-year follow-up period.

Variability in clinical profile of asthmatic child referred from allergy clinic - ten years of observation

Wstęp: Astma jest najczęściej występującą chorobą przewlekłą wieku rozwojowego. Niedodiagnozowanie jest częstym zjawiskiem związanym z niedoleczeniem, którego z kolei konsekwencją jest wzrastająca zachorowalność i śmiertelność. Opóźnienie w diagnozowaniu astmy odzwierciedla problemy z prawidłową realizacją celów diagnostycznych wytyczonych przez Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Celem pracy jest charakterystyka kliniczna dzieci kierowanych do Poradni Chorób Alergicznych, u których następnie rozpoznano astmę oskrzelową. Oceniono przyczyny zgłaszania się do poradni specjalistycznej, dane demograficzne i społeczne dziecka. Materiał i metody: Analizie poddano grupę 907 dzieci do 18. roku życia, u których rozpoznano astmę w poradni alergologicznej w latach 2000-2009. Było to badanie przekrojowe, w którym analizowano dane demograficzne, socjalne oraz kliniczne pacjentów. Wyniki: Na podstawie wyników ujawniono zmieniony profil kliniczny dziecka kierowanego do poradni alergologicznej na przestrzeni 10 lat, u którego następnie rozpoznana została astma oskrzelowa. Profil ten charakteryzują: młodszy wiek pacjenta, większa częstość nawracających infekcji i mniejsza częstość występowania świstów oraz atopii jako przyczyny skierowań do alergologa. Wnioski: Nowy profil kliniczny dziecka kierowanego do alergologa wskazuje na konieczność przeprowadzenia kosztownej diagnostyki różnicowej astmy w ośrodkach specjalistycznych. Dane te powinny być uwzględnione w wytyczaniu nowych strategii zdrowotnych w Polsce. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 3: 189-195Introduction: Asthma is the most frequent chronic respiratory disease in children. Underdiagnosis is frequent, which results in undertreatment and, consequently, in rising asthma morbidity and mortality rates. The delay in the diagnosis of asthma seems to precisely reflect problems with a proper realization of the goals of the diagnostic part of the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. We attempted to assess the clinical profile of children who were referred to allergy clinic followed by asthma diagnosis, we consider especially demographic and social data. Material and methods: We analyzed the group of 907 children with diagnosis of asthma between 2000 and 2009. This was cross-sectional study assessing demographic, social and clinical characteristic. All variables were tested over time. Results: We observed change in clinical profile of children checking into the clinic over time. The new profile includes: younger age of patient, higher frequency of recurrent infections, lower frequency of wheezes and atopy. Conclusions: New clinical profile of patients referred to allergist reveals the need of costly differential diagnosis of asthma in specialized centers. This should be included in new strategies in the health care system in Poland. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 3: 189-19