How electronic devices affect the sleep of young people: summary of current knowledge

Introduction and purpose: The impact of electronic devices on our daily lives is becoming increasingly significant. The contemporary generation of young people is growing up in a world where smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices are widely available and utilized. Scientists are contemplating the challenges posed by excessive exploitation of electronics on the health of young individuals. The aim of the article is to present the harmful effects of using electronic devices before sleep in young people, considering medical aspects such as sleep disorders and their influence on overall psychophysical health. Summary: Electronic devices negatively affect the sleep of young people by reducing sleep time and delaying the sleep onset phase. The main problem is the use of electronic devices without time limits. In the era of technology, it is significantly important to raise awareness among young people about the importance of sleep hygiene and how blue light emitted by electronic devices affects its quality

Analysis of Ignition Capability of Flammable Gases from Small Arms Propellant Gases

The article presents the results of tests on the temperature of propellant gases shortly after the bullet leaves the barrel. The temperature and movement of these gases were recorded with thermal cameras and a high-speed camera. Weapons with and without muzzle devices (flash suppressor, silencer) were used. The aim of the research was to check the capability to ignite flammable gases located in the vicinity of the propellant gases produced during firing. Comparison of the maximum temperature of the propellant gases and the ignition temperature of the flammable gases makes it possible to determine the probability of fire. The lowest temperature of propellant gases was in the case of shooting with 9 19 mm bullets with the lowest kinetic energy (518 J), and the highest temperature of these gases was during shooting with 5.56 45 mm HC (SS109) bullets with the highest kinetic energy (1,785 J)

Wartość biznesowa w projektach badawczo-rozwojowych

Tematyka opracowania dotyczy orientacji na tworzenie wartości biznesowej w zarządzaniu projektami badawczo-rozwojowymi. W artykule podjęto dyskusję dotyczącą definicji wartości biznesowej, jej roli oraz znaczenia w zarządzaniu projektami. Zawarte zostały w nim ponadto wyniki badań przeprowadzonych w jednym z międzynarodowych przedsiębiorstw przemysłu motoryzacyjnego, będącego liderem w swojej branży na rynku europejskim, którego znaczny udział działalności stanowi realizacja projektów badawczo-rozwojowych. Prezentowany artykuł ma charakter teoretyczno-empiryczny. Głównym celem teoretycznym opracowania jest próba odpowiedzi na pytanie: dlaczego firmy dążą do tworzenia wartości biznesowej dla klienta w projektach badawczo-rozwojowych? Do jego osiągnięcia została wykorzystana krytyczna analiza piśmiennictwa. Cel empiryczny stanowi znalezienie odpowiedzi na pytanie: dlaczego dążenia firm do tworzenia wartości biznesowej dla klienta są niekiedy sprzeczne z ich działaniami? Został on zrealizowany z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza wywiadu ustrukturyzowanego oraz analizy treści dokumentów źródłowych firmy

Badania zdolności zapłonu gazu z butli propan-butan po jej przestrzeleniu

W artykule przedstawiono metodykę i wyniki badań strzelania używając różnych pocisków z broni strzeleckiej do butli z gazem propan-butan (P-B) pod kątem podatności na za-palenie (zdolności do inicjacji pożaru) w czasie ostrzału. Butle były ustawione w dwóch konfiguracjach: sama butla lub butla, za którą znajdowała się płyta pancerna. Podczas badań obserwowano lot pocisku, zachowanie się butli i temperaturę wydzielaną w czasie uderzenia pocisku w butlę z gazem P-B za pomocą kamery szybkiej (FASTCAM SA-Z 2100K 50 400 fps) i kamer termalnych (FLIR X6580sc, FLIR X6901scSLS). Użyta w badaniach masa skroplonego gazu P-B w butli była 0,5÷11 kg.The paper presents a methodology and research results over propane-butane (P-B) gas cylinders hit by various projectiles fired with a firearm for assessing the susceptibility on initiation a fire(ability to initiate the fire) at the shooting. Cylinders were arranged in two configurations: the cylinder alone, or the cylinder with an armour plate behind it. During the tests, the projectile flight, a gas cylinder behaviour and the temperature released during the projectile impact to the P-B gas cylinder were measured using a high-speed camera (FASTCAM SA-Z 2100K 50.400 fps) and thermal cameras (FLIR X6580sc, FLIR X6901scSLS). The mass of liquid P-B gas in a cylinder at the tests was between 0.5÷11.0kg

Novel functionalized β-nitrostyrenes: Promising candidates for new antibacterial drugs

The process of searching for new antibacterial agents is more and more challenging due to the increasing drug resistance which has become a major concern in the field of infection management. Our study presents a synthesis and characterization by IR, UV, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of a homogenous series of 1-EWG functionalized 2-aryl-1-nitroethenes which could prove good candidates for the replacement of traditional antibacterial drugs In vitro screening against a panel of the reference strains of bacteria and fungi and their cytotoxicity towards cultured human HepG2 and HaCaT cells was performed. Antimicrobial results indicated that four of the synthesized compounds exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against all tested reference bacteria and fungi belonging to yeasts with a specific and strong activity towards B. subtilis ATCC 6633. Two of these compounds had no detectable cytotoxicity towards the cultured human cell lines, making them promising candidates for new antibacterial drugs. Keywords: Conjugated nitroalkenes, Antimicrobial activity, Fungicidal activity, Cytotoxicity, B. subtilis ATCC 6633, HepG2 cells, HaCaT cell

W poszukiwaniu Piastów

The origin of the Piast dynasty is a matter of lively discussions and disputes. At least a few controversial hypotheses exist, but their credibility is difficult to assess due to the scarcity of written as well as material sources, especially from the time of Polish state formation. Life sciences, however, can support history and archeology. Application of genetic tests, used earlier mainly in forensic laboratories, enabled identification of the remains of King Richard III, the Romanov dynasty members and Nicolaus Copernicus. Contemporary DNA studies, based on next generation DNA sequencing, outreach the narrow area of known markers such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and selected regions of Y chromosome. Although ancient DNA (aDNA), extracted from remains, is usually highly degraded and contaminated with genetic material of microorganisms, there are methods which allow for the analysis of such material and retrieval of information about origin, kinship and some phenotypic features of an individual. Genetic studies of the Piast dynasty, a subject of our research project, have to deal with numerous difficulties. In or der to gain access to bone samples, we need to meet a number of formal requirements. Moreover, despite the existence of available abundant documentation on the Piast burials, the actual situation is not always consistent with the written sources. Our first experiences show how difficult it is to localize the remains, identify them and extract DNA of sufficient quality.The origin of the Piast dynasty is a matter of lively discussions and disputes. At least a few controversial hypotheses exist, but their credibility is difficult to assess due to the scarcity of written as well as material sources, especially from the time of Polish state formation. Life sciences, however, can support history and archeology. Application of genetic tests, used earlier mainly in forensic laboratories, enabled identification of the remains of King Richard III, the Romanov dynasty members and Nicolaus Copernicus. Contemporary DNA studies, based on next generation DNA sequencing, outreach the narrow area of known markers such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and selected regions of Y chromosome. Although ancient DNA (aDNA), extracted from remains, is usually highly degraded and contaminated with genetic material of microorganisms, there are methods which allow for the analysis of such material and retrieval of information about origin, kinship and some phenotypic features of an individual. Genetic studies of the Piast dynasty, a subject of our research project, have to deal with numerous difficulties. In or der to gain access to bone samples, we need to meet a number of formal requirements. Moreover, despite the existence of available abundant documentation on the Piast burials, the actual situation is not always consistent with the written sources. Our first experiences show how difficult it is to localize the remains, identify them and extract DNA of sufficient quality

Relationship Between Anti-DFS70 Autoantibodies and Oxidative Stress

Background: The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies are one of the most commonly and widely described agent of unknown clinical significance, frequently detected in healthy individuals. It is not known whether the DFS70 autoantibodies are protective or pathogenic. One of the factors suspected of inducing the formation of anti-DFS70 antibodies is increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the coexistence of anti-DFS70 antibodies with selected markers of oxidative stress and investigated whether these antibodies could be considered as indirect markers of oxidative stress. Methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured in all samples via indices of free-radical damage to lipids and proteins such as total oxidant status (TOS), concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH), lipofuscin (LPS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The parameters of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) and uric acid concentration (UA), were also measured, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Based on TOS and TAS values, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. All samples were also tested with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and 357 samples were selected for direct monospecific anti DFS70 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results:: The anti-DFS70 antibodies were confirmed by ELISA test in 21.29% of samples. Compared with anti-DFS70 negative samples we observed 23% lower concentration of LPH (P = .038) and 11% lower concentration of UA (P = .005). TOS was 20% lower (P = .014). The activity of SOD was up to 5% higher (P = .037). The Pearson correlation showed weak negative correlation for LPH, UA, and TOS and a weak positive correlation for SOD activity. Conclusion: In samples positive for the anti-DFS70 antibody a decreased level of oxidative stress was observed, especially in the case of samples with a high antibody titer. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be considered as an indirect marker of reduced oxidative stress or a marker indicating the recent intensification of antioxidant processes