Academic Research Achievements in the Geography of Tourism at the Department of Regional Geography and Tourism, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin: DidacticI and Practical Applications

The present paper is an attempt to assess academic research achievements in the field of the geography of tourism and their didactic and practical applications. The study method was a review of academic articles and archival compilations as well as materials collected in the department

Analysis of corpus callosum size depending on age and sex

Background: The aim of the study was to analyse changes in the size of the corpus callosum (CC) depending on age and sex and to establish the reference values of the morphometric indices of the CC in the Polish population.  Materials and methods: The results of magnetic resonance studies of 1108 patients performed in the years 2010–2014 were analysed. Two independent radiologists evaluated cerebral images to exclude deviations from normal state. In patients divided according to sex and to 10 age groups, measurements of CC and brain dimensions were made and morphometric indices were calculated.  Results: The results of measurements related to the following parameters: lengths of longitudinal cross-section of CC (CD), CC thickness in the narrowest place — isthmus (EF), the largest linear dimension of the brain from the frontal pole to the occipital pole (AB), the longitudinal cross-section area of the CC (A1) and cerebral cross-section area (A2) as well as CD/AB and A1/A2 ratios are summarised in 7 figures and 3 tables.  Conclusions: It was demonstrated, that in all age groups there are statistically significant differences in the values of the analysed parameters and ratios of CC size. It was indicated, that there are no statistically significant differences between men and women in the CD, EF, and A1 parameters related to CC size, and the profiles of variations of these parameters are very similar. It was proved that the- re are statistical differences between women and men in parameters/indicators concerning of the brain size.

Formulation, stabilisation and encapsulation of bacteriophage for phage therapy

Against a backdrop of global antibiotic resistance and increasing awareness of the importance of the human microbiota, there has been resurgent interest in the potential use of bacteriophages for therapeutic purposes, known as phage therapy. A number of phage therapy phase I and II clinical trials have concluded, and shown phages don’t present significant adverse safety concerns. These clinical trials used simple phage suspensions without any formulation and phage stability was of secondary concern. Phages have a limited stability in solution, and undergo a significant drop in phage titre during processing and storage which is unacceptable if phages are to become regulated pharmaceuticals, where stable dosage and well defined pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are de rigueur. Animal studies have shown that the efficacy of phage therapy outcomes depend on the phage concentration (i.e. the dose) delivered at the site of infection, and their ability to target and kill bacteria, arresting bacterial growth and clearing the infection. In addition, in vitro and animal studies have shown the importance of using phage cocktails rather than single phage preparations to achieve better therapy outcomes. The in vivo reduction of phage concentration due to interactions with host antibodies or other clearance mechanisms may necessitate repeated dosing of phages, or sustained release approaches. Modelling of phage-bacterium population dynamics reinforces these points. Surprisingly little attention has been devoted to the effect of formulation on phage therapy outcomes, given the need for phage cocktails, where each phage within a cocktail may require significantly different formulation to retain a high enough infective dose. This review firstly looks at the clinical needs and challenges (informed through a review of key animal studies evaluating phage therapy) associated with treatment of acute and chronic infections and the drivers for phage encapsulation. An important driver for formulation and encapsulation is shelf life and storage of phage to ensure reproducible dosages. Other drivers include formulation of phage for encapsulation in micro- and nanoparticles for effective delivery, encapsulation in stimuli responsive systems for triggered controlled or sustained release at the targeted site of infection. Encapsulation of phage (e.g. in liposomes) may also be used to increase the circulation time of phage for treating systemic infections, for prophylactic treatment or to treat intracellular infections. We then proceed to document approaches used in the published literature on the formulation and stabilisation of phage for storage and encapsulation of bacteriophage in micro- and nanostructured materials using freeze drying (lyophilization), spray drying, in emulsions e.g. ointments, polymeric microparticles, nanoparticles and liposomes. As phage therapy moves forward towards Phase III clinical trials, the review concludes by looking at promising new approaches for micro- and nanoencapsulation of phages and how these may address gaps in the field

Transformacja w kierunku zrównoważonego rozwoju. Siedem zasad koniecznych do wprowadzenia „zielonej gospodarki” – wkład do przygotowań do Rio +20 (Konferencji Organizacji Narodów Zjednoczonych na rzecz Zrównoważonego Rozwoju) w 2012 roku

Contains fulltext : 111922.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)14 p

Preliminary results on performance of new ultra-fast static positioning module – POZGEO-2 in areas outside the ASG-EUPOS network

The presented preliminary research concerns the accuracy and reliability of new ultra-fast static positioning module - POZGEO-2 - in case of processing GPS data collected outside the ASG-EUPOS network. Such a case requires extrapolation of the network-derived atmospheric corrections which limits correction accuracy and, therefore, has adverse effect on the carrier phase ambiguity resolution. The presented processing tests are based on processing 5-minute long observing sessions and show that precise positioning can be supported up to 35 km from the ASG-EUPOS borders. This means that precise positioning with POZGEO-2 module can be assured for the most of the border areas of Poland.W pracy prezentowane są badania dotyczące dokładności i wiarygodności pozycji wyznaczanej z wykorzystaniem nowego modułu ultra-szybkiego pozycjonowania - POZGEO-2 opracowanego dla systemu ASG-EUPOS. Przedstawione testy obliczeniowe dotyczą szczególnego przypadku wyznaczania pozycji, gdy użytkownik znajduje się poza granicami sieci stacji referencyjnych. W takich warunkach wymagana jest ekstrapolacja sieciowych poprawek atmosferycznych. Wpływa to negatywnie na dokładność tych poprawek i może doprowadzić do sytuacji, w której wyznaczenie nieoznaczoności będzie niemożliwe. Prezentowane badania oparte są na pięciominutowych sesjach obserwacyjnych i pokazują, że poprawki mogą być ekstrapolowane dla obszarów położonych do około 35 km od granic sieci ASG-EUPOS. Oznacza to, że w praktyce precyzyjne pozycjonowanie ultra-szybkie z użyciem modułu POZGEO-2 może być zapewnione dla niemal całego obszaru Polski

Wstępne badania dokładności nowego modułu ultra-szybkiego pozycjonowania – POZGEO-2 – na obszarach znajdujących się poza granicami sieci ASG-EUPOS

The presented preliminary research concerns the accuracy and reliability of new ultra-fast static positioning module - POZGEO-2 - in case of processing GPS data collected outside the ASG-EUPOS network. Such a case requires extrapolation of the network-derived atmospheric corrections which limits correction accuracy and, therefore, has adverse effect on the carrier phase ambiguity resolution. The presented processing tests are based on processing 5-minute long observing sessions and show that precise positioning can be supported up to 35 km from the ASG-EUPOS borders. This means that precise positioning with POZGEO-2 module can be assured for the most of the border areas of Poland.W pracy prezentowane są badania dotyczące dokładności i wiarygodności pozycji wyznaczanej z wykorzystaniem nowego modułu ultra-szybkiego pozycjonowania - POZGEO-2 opracowanego dla systemu ASG-EUPOS. Przedstawione testy obliczeniowe dotyczą szczególnego przypadku wyznaczania pozycji, gdy użytkownik znajduje się poza granicami sieci stacji referencyjnych. W takich warunkach wymagana jest ekstrapolacja sieciowych poprawek atmosferycznych. Wpływa to negatywnie na dokładność tych poprawek i może doprowadzić do sytuacji, w której wyznaczenie nieoznaczoności będzie niemożliwe. Prezentowane badania oparte są na pięciominutowych sesjach obserwacyjnych i pokazują, że poprawki mogą być ekstrapolowane dla obszarów położonych do około 35 km od granic sieci ASG-EUPOS. Oznacza to, że w praktyce precyzyjne pozycjonowanie ultra-szybkie z użyciem modułu POZGEO-2 może być zapewnione dla niemal całego obszaru Polski

Au-RE-TiO2 nanocomposites. surface characteristics and photoactivity

Photocatalysts based on TiO2 co-doped with rare earth metal (RE) and gold nanoparticles have been prepared using a sol-gel method and followed by gold reduction. Specific surface areas of the modified photocatalysts were calculated by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET). Diffuse reflectance spectra of the obtained photocatalysts were recorded with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (DRS UV-Vis). The influence of the type of rare earth metal on photoactivity of Au-RE-TiO2 nanocomposites in model reaction manifested by toluene photodegradation in a gas phase was investigated. The obtained results showed that photodegradation of toluene in the gas phase is possible over Au-RE-TiO2 irradiated by UV or Vis light. The Au-RE-TiO2 photocatalysts relative to undoped TiO2, did not caused an increase of toluene degradation in the air under visible light. The samples doped with Er3+ or Pr3+ presented the highest activity in solar light among of Au-RE-TiO2. It was observed that both metal dopants affected the surface area of TiO2. The Au-RE-TiO2 photocatalysts relative to undoped TiO2 exhibited the absorption properties under Vis light

Biofortification of the nutritional value of foods from the grain of Triticum durum Desf. by an agrotechnical method: A scientific review

Enrichment of cereal grains is a priority area for research and an effective strategy compared to supplementation and food diversification. This paper discusses the current state of knowledge on the biofortification and nutritional value of food products from spring durum wheat grain, achieved by an agrotechnical method named ‘from field to table’ production. Biofortification refers to the production of safe food fortified with micronutrients and to the introduction of microorganisms that increase the bioretention of nutrients by plants, thus creating a new quality of food products as well as contributing to the protection of soil, perceived as a crucial resource in agricultural production. It is based on our knowledge of the physiology of yielding in conjunction with an increased productivity and higher value, essential in the context of health disorders due to dietary deficiencies. The choice of a durum wheat cultivation method depends on the crop’s habitat requirements, climate, proper selection of a previous crop, nutritional requirements, plant protection and storage. The conventional cultivation system diversifies the content of components, increasing Mn and Cu while decreasing P, K, Ca and Zn concentrations. Cultivation of this species on soil classified as very good wheat complex or good wheat ensures the highest yields characterised by high grain quality. This wheat is tolerant to water stress, although irrigation of spring durum wheat has been shown to improve nitrogen agronomic efficiency and to increase the yield of protein and energy. The recommended amount of nitrogen in plant fertilization is between 80-160 kg ha-1. Durum wheat flour has a higher content of yellow pigments and better qualitative composition of gluten proteins, while its kernels have lighter and thinner hulls. Durum wheat flour absorbs less water during bread baking. Owing to this attribute, pasta from durum wheat is more adhesive to sauces, has compact texture and is more difficult to overcook