Silviculture Methods in Polish Forests Affected by Industrial Pollutants

Data presented by the Headquarters of the State Forests in Poland indicate that about 645,000 ha were threatened by industrial emissions in the mid-1980s. The authors have carried out a complementary study and have come to the conclusion that about 2.8 million ha were threatened in 1988. Due to the future emissions the area under threat is estimated to increase to about 4.2 million ha in the year 2000. This rapid development of decline requires a changed silvicultural management. Guidelines for the changed management of the following order of stands threatened by air pollutants are discussed: (a) stands characterized as being "in the regeneration class"; (b) clear-cut stands; (c) second-order clear-cut stands; (d) seedlings and thickets; (e) stands of medium age classes; and (f) stands with a share of deciduous species exceeding 20%

An update of the macroeconometric model of the Polish economy NECMOD

The paper presents an update of the structural macroeconometric model of the Polish economy NECMOD. The updated version of the model is, similarly as its predecessor, used at the National Bank of Poland for forecasting and policy simulation exercises. NECMOD is a hybrid, medium-scale and partially forward-looking quarterly model with its structure rooted in the economic theory. Great emphasis has been put on modelling of the supply side of the economy and mechanisms that introduce high persistency of shocks. The present version of NECMOD was estimated on the data covering a period from 1995 to 2008. Its main advantage, as compared to the previous version, is a more detailed and coherent approach to the modelling of the external sector block. Now, secular changes in the exchange rate and foreign trade dynamics are explained jointly with reference to the taste-for-variety theory. Moreover, the current version of the model better reflects interdependencies between domestic and external sector, i.e. via exchange rate - wealth channel.Polish economy, macroeconometric model, macroeconomic model

Strategie radzenia sobie ze stresem a występowanie symptomów depresyjnych u młodzieży w wieku 13–16 lat

The main aim of the study was to analyse the strategies of coping used by adolescents in the age group of 13–16 years and the links between the strategies and the perceived depression. The strategies were studied with the reference to adolescentsʼ age and sex. The perceived depression was measured with self-description method. According to the results, younger adolescents (13–14 years) more often used the “ignore the problem” strategy compared to older youngsters (15–16 years). Strategies: “worry” and “seek the professional help” were more often used in the group of older adolescents. Girls used more various forms of social support and worried more often than boys. They also referred to relaxing strategies such as drawing, painting or reading books. Boys more often seek professional help. Surprisingly, the strategy of concentrating on pleasure activities protected adolescents from depression

Patient-Perceived Changes in the System of Values After Cancer Diagnosis

A cross-sectional study investigated changes in patients’ value systems following a diagnosis of cancer. Fifty patients at 1 to 6 months following cancer diagnosis, were asked to compare their current values with their recollection of past values. Using the Rokeach Value Survey we obtained statistically significant results showing that twenty-seven out of thirty-six values changed their importance from the patients’ perspective: 16 values significantly increased, while 11 values significantly decreased in importance. Changes with respect to nine values were insignificant. We indentified clusters of values increasing in importance the most: Religious morality (Salvation, Forgiving, Helpful, Clean), Personal orientation (Self-Respect, True Friendship, Happiness), Self-constriction (Self-Controlled, Obedient, Honest), Family security (Family Security, Responsible), and Delayed gratification (Wisdom, Inner Harmony). We also observed that the following value clusters decreased in importance: Immediate gratification (An Exciting Life, Pleasure, A Comfortable Life); Self-expansion (Capable, Ambitious, Broadminded), Competence (A Sense of Accomplishment, Imaginative, Intellectual). The remaining values belonged to clusters that as a group changed slightly or not at all. Practical implications of the study are discussed

A PLAC8-containing protein from an endomycorrhizal fungus confers cadmium resistance to yeast cells by interacting with Mlh3p

Cadmium is a genotoxic pollutant known to target proteins that are involved in DNA repair and in antioxidant defence, altering their functions and ultimately causing mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. We have identified a PLAC8 domain-containing protein, named OmFCR, by a yeast functional screen aimed at identifying genes involved in cadmium resistance in the endomycorrhizal fungus Oidiodendron maius. OmFCR shows a remarkable specificity in mediating cadmium resistance. Both its function and its nuclear localization in yeast strictly depend on the interaction with Mlh3p, a subunit of the mismatch repair (MMR) system. Although proteins belonging to the PLAC8 family are widespread in eukaryotes, they are poorly characterized and their biological role still remains elusive. Our work represents the first report about the potential role of a PLAC8 protein in physically coupling DNA lesion recognition by the MMR system to appropriate effectors that affect cell cycle checkpoint pathways. On the basis of cell survival assays and yeast growth curves, we hypothesize that, upon cadmium exposure, OmFCR might promote a higher rate of cell division as compared to control cells