Energy consumption versus greenhouse gas emissions in EU

Purpose: The article aims to trace out the interplay of the share of individual energy sources in the total consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union countries. Approach/Methodology/Design: By taking into account the share of individual energy sources in consumption in 2015, the EU countries were divided into 5 clusters. For each cluster, the values of the indicators for 2005 were determined to assess the changes. Additionally, energy dependence and greenhouse gas emissions factors were included. Findings: During the 2005-2015 period, the consumption of renewable energy increased, while the carbon dioxide emissions felt. It is difficult to say unequivocally whether limiting CO2 emissions through increased renewable energy sources consumption can be considered sufficient. It should also be pointed out that there was no clear link between the increase in the share of renewable energy sources and the decrease in energy dependence in EU countries. Practical Implications: The study directly refer to ongoing political debate on CO2 emissions at both the community and national levels in EU countries. Originality/Value: The study offers the first of its kind examination of the the interplay of the share of individual energy sources in the total consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union countries.peer-reviewe

Cell-specific response of NSIP- and IPF-derived fibroblasts to the modification of the elasticity, biological properties, and 3D architecture of the substrate

The fibrotic fibroblasts derived from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) are surrounded by specific environments, characterized by increased stiffness, aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and altered lung architecture. The presented research was aimed at investigating the effect of biological, physical, and topographical modification of the substrate on the properties of IPF- and NSIP-derived fibroblasts, and searching for the parameters enabling their identification. Soft and stiff polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was chosen for the basic substrates, the properties of which were subsequently tuned. To obtain the biological modification of the substrates, they were covered with ECM proteins, laminin, fibronectin, and collagen. The substrates that mimicked the 3D structure of the lungs were prepared using two approaches, resulting in porous structures that resemble natural lung architecture and honeycomb patterns, typical of IPF tissue. The growth of cells on soft and stiff PDMS covered with proteins, traced using fluorescence microscopy, confirmed an altered behavior of healthy and IPF- and NSIP-derived fibroblasts in response to the modified substrate properties, enabling their identification. In turn, differences in the mechanical properties of healthy and fibrotic fibroblasts, determined using atomic force microscopy working in force spectroscopy mode, as well as their growth on 3D-patterned substrates were not sufficient to discriminate between cell lines

Agricultural and tourist functions in rural areas and the level of local development : the case of Poland

Purpose: The aim of this article is to measure the diversity of rural areas through determining their potential for implementing the agricultural and tourist functions. This in terms of local development level of rural areas in Poland as illustrated by the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Approach/Methodology/Design: The research procedure was conducted in three steps. In the first step, the agricultural and tourist functions were measured, and the relationship between them was identified. In a subsequent step, the social and economic development level of rural areas was identified. The last step involved defining the relationship between the potential of the analysed functions and local development level of the rural areas. Findings: There is a relationship between the agricultural function and the tourist function in the analysed area. This relationship is statistically significant and negatively correlated, which means that the tourism potential of the area decreases as its potential for agricultural development increases. Practical Implications: The result confirms that it is legitimate and necessary to implement development-related tasks which include a territorial approach that refers to all local potentials. Originality/Value: Noticing this fact and taking it into account during the process of programming of local development seems to be of crucial importance for the success of the process of sustainable development of rural areas.peer-reviewe

The problem of anemia in elderly patients

Introduction and purpose:  As healthcare develops, life expectancy increases. This makes anemia of the elderly an increasingly common problem. The appearance of this disease is influenced by many factors related to the aging process of the organism. The purpose of this study is to review information about the different mechanisms of anemia development in the elderly and to present the associated difficulties in medical practice. Description of the state of knowledge: Many different factors can affect the process of anemia. The causes of this disorder include chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer and nutritional deficiencies. Endocrine status is also important. The chronic inflammatory process may induce haemolysis and lead to the increased synthesis of hepcidin, which by blocking the activity of ferroportin leads to a decrease in the level of iron ions in the blood. Deficiency anemia often results from reduced appetite, inadequate quality of meals, chronic inflammation or taking medications without consulting a doctor. The consequence is a reduced level of iron and vitamin B12 and folic acid, which play a role in erythropoiesis. The hormones that play a significant role in the process of making red blood cells include erythropoietin, testosterone and thyroid hormones. Summary:  Anemia is a common problem among geriatric patients and one of the factors contributing to the increase in mortality in this age group. In medical care it is difficult to distinguish which symptoms are pathological and which are related to the natural aging process, overlapping symptoms of many diseases and related diagnostic problems. Diagnostics is a particular challenge due to the multi-morbidity, which is associated with taking many drugs with different mechanisms of action and side effects.  Keywords: anemia; aging; comorbidity; nutrient-deficiency anemia; inflammatio

Temperature- and pH-responsive schizophrenic copolymer brush coatings with enhanced temperature response in pure water

Novel brush coatings were fabricated with glass surface-grafted chains copolymerized using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) from 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (OEGMA188) and acrylamide (AAm), taken in different proportions. P(OEGMA188-co-AAm) brushes with AAm mole fraction >44% (determined with XPS and TOF-SIMS spectroscopy) and nearly constant with the depth copolymer composition (TOF-SIMS profiling) exhibit unusual temperature-induced transformations: The contact angle of water droplets on P(OEGMA188-co-AAm) coatings increases by ~45° with temperature, compared to 17−18° for POEGMA188 and PAAm. The thickness of coatings immersed in water and the morphology of coatings imaged in air show a temperature response for POEGMA188 (using reflectance spectroscopy and AFM, respectively), but this response is weak for P(OEGMA188-co-AAm) and absent for PAAm. This suggests mechanisms more complex than a simple transition between hydrated loose coils and hydrophobic collapsed chains. For POEGMA188, the hydrogen bonds between the ether oxygens of poly(ethylene glycol) and water hydrogens are formed below the transition temperature T$_{c}$ and disrupted above T$_{c}$ when polymer−polymer interactions are favored. Different hydrogen bond structures of PAAm include free amide groups, cis-trans-multimers, and trans-multimers of amide groups. Here, hydrogen bonds between free amide groups and water dominate at T T$_{c}$, such as cis-trans-multimers and trans-multimers of amide groups, can still be hydrated. The enhanced temperature-dependent response of wettability for P(OEGMA188-co-AAm) with a high mole fraction of AAm suggests the formation at T$_{c}$ of more hydrophobic structures, realized by hydrogen bonding between the ether oxygens of OEGMA188 and the amide fragments of AAm, where water molecules are caged. Furthermore, P(OEGMA188-co-AAm) coatings immersed in pH buffer solutions exhibit a 'schizophrenic' behavior in wettability, with transitions that mimic LCST and UCST for pH = 3, LCST for pH = 5 and 7, and any transition blocked for pH = 9

Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: a questionnaire-based study

Aim of the study. To assess the prevalence and characteristics of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Poland. Clinical rationale for the study. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive and disabling neurological disease with significant impact on quality of life. Although the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has not been scientifically confirmed, many patients use CAM as a complement or an alternative to conventional therapy.Material and methods. Data was collected via a self-designed survey consisting of 33 questions. The questionnaire was distributed among MS patients hospitalised during 2016 in the MS Unit at the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. The study group consisted of 75 patients (47 females, 28 males, mean age 44.6 ± 12.5 years) with clinically defined MS.Results. According to the questionnaire, 48 patients (64%) had used CAM at least once. Most of the patients declared that CAM had a possible (58%) or a marked (43.7%) positive effect. 61.4% of CAM users reported reduced fatigue and 33.3% improved mood. There were significant correlations between CAM use and lower social and professional status (p < 0.04), disease progression (p < 0.03), and lack of efficacy of disease-modifying therapies (p < 0.04). There were no significant correlations between CAM usage and sex, habitation, education, marital or professional status. The most frequently used CAMs were vitamins (48%),and polyunsaturated fatty acids (36%); psychophysical methods (44%) included manual therapies (24%) and relaxation techniques (17.3%) as well as herbal medicine (29.3%). Physicians were considered to be the most reliable authority in both conventional treatment (97.3%) and CAM (67%). Complementary and alternative medicine users significantly more often discussed this issue with their doctors (56%) compared to patients who did not use alternative medicine (p < 0.05). However, 54% of patients did not inform their physician about CAM use. Responders said that physicians did not initiate discussion about it (55.9%), but44% of patients would like to have the possibility of talking to a doctor about CAM.Conclusions and clinical implications. Although CAM efficacy and safety is not confirmed, one should keep in mind that most MS patients use alternative methods, especially those individuals with a more severe phenotype. Physicians are mostly perceived as reliable authorities and therefore they should discuss this issue with patients in order to eliminate drug interactions and to improve compliance

Control of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) thin film dewetting process

Celem pracy było zbadanie stabilności cienkich warstw poli(metakrylanu n-butylu) w środowisku wodnym. Przeprowadzone badania ujawniły zachodzący proces dewettingu dla izotaktycznego PnBMA podczas gdy ataktyczny PnBMA pozostaje stabilny w zakresie temperatur dla których prowadzono badania (7°C - 36°C). Warstwy scharakteryzowano szeregiem metod takich jak: mikroskopia optyczna, mikroskopia sił atomowych, spektrometria masowa jonów wtórych oraz badania kąta zwilżania dla wody.Moje obserwacje pokazują, że proces dewettingu może być kontrolowany nie tylko poprzez zmiany temperatury, lecz również przez ilość białka rozpuszczonego w roztworze wodnym, w którym inkubowane są cienkie warstwy izotaktycznego PnBMA. Kinetyka procesu dewettingu jest spowalniana wraz ze wzrostem stężenia białka w roztworze. Jest to związane z adsorpcją białka do podłoży. Białko adsorbując zaczyna oddziaływać z warstwą polimerową jednocześnie ją stabilizując.The stability of thin films of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) in an aqueous environment was investigated. The dewetting process was observed for isotactic PnBMA, whereas, thin film of atactic PnBMA remain stable in all temperatures ranging from 7°C to 36°C. The surfaces were examined with optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, also contact angle measurement for water was performed.My observations indicate that dewetting process can be controlled not only by temperature but also by amount of protein dissolved in solution used to incubation of isotactic PnBMA thin films. The kinetic of the dewetting process is slowed down as the concentration of protein solution is increased. This can be related to protein adsorption which stabilized polymer layer

The protein adsorption kinetics to the thin layers of polymers with different tacticity

Celem pracy było zbadanie wpływu taktyczności polimeru na przebieg kinetyki adsorpcji białek do cienkich warstw polimerowych. W badaniach wykorzystano dwa różne polimery: poli(metakrylanu tert-butylu) oraz poli(metakrylanu metylu) i zbadano kinetykę adsorpcji dla trzech białek – surowiczej albuminy wołowej, lizozymu oraz immunoglobuliny G, wykorzystując technikę spektroskopii odbicia światła białego. Do zmierzonych punktów pomiarowych dopasowano dwa modele kinetyki: Langmuira oraz losowej sekwencyjnej adsorpcji. We wszystkich przypadkach model Langmuira wykazuje najlepsze dopasowane dla punktów pomiarowych. Dodatkowo zaobserwowano różnice w przebiegu kinetyki adsorpcji białek pomiędzy podłożem izotaktycznym, a syndiotaktycznym. W przypadku dużych molekuł najmniejsze wartości stałej adsorpcji są otrzymywane dla podłóż izotaktycznych, a dla małych molekuł do podłóż syndiotaktycznych. Ponadto uzyskane wartości maksymalnego pokrycia wskazują na gęste upakowanie molekuł na powierzchni.The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of polymer tacticity on the the protein adsorption kinetics to thin polymer layers. Two different polymers was used: poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) and the kinetics of adsorption were investigated for three proteins – bovine serum albumin, lysozyme and immunoglobulin G - using White Light Reflectance Spectroscopy technique. Two kinetic models were fitted to the measured values: Langmuir and Random Sequential Adsorption. In all cases the Langmuir adsorption model shows the best fit for the measurement points. In addition, differences in the kinetics of protein adsorption between isotactic and syndiotactic substrates were shown. For large molecules, the smallest values of the adsorption constant are obtained for isotactic substrates while for small molecules for syndiotactic substrates. In addition, the archived maximum coverage values point to a dense surface packing of the molecules

Special collection, services and users of „Pod Atlantami” Library in Wałbrzych (Audiobook department – cooperation with Psychiatric Ward – mobile games)

W artykule omówiono specjalne usługi Powiatowej i Miejskiej Biblioteki Publicznej „Biblioteki pod Atlantami” w Wałbrzychu adresowane nie tylko do specjalnych grup użytkowników. Opisano Oddział Książki Mówionej, stworzony głównie dla osób niewidomych i niedowidzących. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na jego ofertę i specyfikę zbiorów. Przedstawiono współpracę Pracowni Regionalnej z Oddziałem Psychiatrycznym Specjalistycznego Szpitala im. dra Alfreda Sokołowskiego w Wałbrzychu, przede wszystkim na podstawie prowadzonych dla pacjentów zajęć z zakresu edukacji regionalnej. Omówiono wykorzystanie aplikacji Action Track, służącej do projektowania gier mobilnych, zachęcających do odwiedzin biblioteki zarówno dzieci oraz młodzież, jak i osoby dorosłe. Zaprezentowano przykładowe gry promujące region.The article discusses special services of the County and Muncipial “Biblioteka pod Atlantami” Library in Wałbrzych not only addressed to special user groups. It describes the audiobook section created mainly for blind and partially sighted people. Particular attention is paid to it soffer and the specificity of the collection. It describes the cooperation of the Library’s Regional Workshop with Dr Alfred Sokolowski Specialist Hospital in Wałbrzych mainly based on regional education courses for patients. The article also discusses the use of Action Track Application that is used to create mobile games which are supposed to entourage children, adolescents and adults to visit the library. Examples of games promoting the region are also presented