Formula for users – the analysis of services and user cooperation in the Library of Wrocław University of Economics

Celem artykułu jest prezentacja różnych form współpracy i promocji Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiu. W artykule przedstawiono analizę statystyk wypożyczeń i odwiedzin w Bibliotece. Wykazano, że przeprowadzka do nowego gmachu wpłynęła pozytywnie na frekwencję użytkowników. Zaprezentowano różne rodzaje usług i szkoleń jakie proponuje Biblioteka oraz wyniki jak często korzystają z nich czytelnicy. Autorki podejmują odpowiedź na pytanie: co jeszcze bibliotekarze mogą zrobić, aby użytkownicy odczuwali potrzebę przyjścia do biblioteki?The aim of this article is to present various forms of cooperation and promotion that are in use in the Main Library of Wrocław University of Economics. The article presents the analyses of statistics on book lending and visits to the Library. It is shown that moving to a new building has had a positive impact on user attendance. Different types of services and trainings which promote the Library are presented, as well as the statistics on how often they are used by the readers. The author tries to answer the question about what else can be done to encourage users to visit the Library.Agnieszka Bobruk: [email protected] Jaworowska: [email protected] Agnieszka Bobruk - Biblioteka Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiumgr Ewelina Jaworowska - Biblioteka Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we WrocławiuChrapczyńska B.: Budowanie relacji między biblioteką akademicką i jej otoczeniem. W: Dolnośląskie Centrum Informacji Naukowej i Ekonomicznej – biblioteka otwarta. Wrocław 2011, s. 59-60.Indykatywny Wykaz Indywidualnych Projektów Kluczowych dla Regionalnego Programu Operacyjnego dla Województwa Dolnośląskiego na lata 2007-2013. Tryb dostępu: http://dolnyslask.pl/upload/RPO/05_projekty_kluczowe/uchwala_2125_iii_08_iwipk_121108.pdf [26 czerwca 2015].Liszka A.: Być krok do przodu – jak wyprzedzić oczekiwania użytkowników Dolnośląskiego Centrum Informacji Naukowej i Ekonomicznej? W: Biblioteki w procesie dydaktycznym i badaniach naukowych. Łódź 2008, s. 216-222.Martin D.: Bright futures: getting a sense of direction. W: Biblioteki XXI wieku… czy przetrwamy? Łódź 2008, s. 11-18.Matysiak D.: Biblioteka naukowa jako „trzecie miejsce” na przykładzie Biblioteki Głównej Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiu. „Zielonogórskie Studia Bibliotekoznawcze” Z. 6 (2014), s. 59-76.Reflecting on the future of academic and public libraries. Ed. by P. Hernon and J. R. Matthews. London 2013.Świrad M.: Przeobrażenia w bibliotece jako odpowiedź na zmieniające się potrzeby obecnych i przyszłych użytkowników. W: Dolnośląskie Centrum Informacji Naukowej i Ekonomicznej – biblioteka otwarta. B. Żmigrodzka (red.). Wrocław 2011, s. 11-30.Wojciechowska M.: Czytelnik czy konsument wiedzy? Nowe podejście do użytkowników bibliotek. W: Partnerzy bibliotek: model komunikacji z otoczeniem. Łódź 2008, s. 107-115.305-31

HPLC assessment and multivariate predictability of serum retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations in adult female subjects

Antioxidant vitamins have been reported to protect against a variety of human malignances and multiple chronic degenerative diseases therefore it is important to understand factors that influence their blood levels. The present study was conducted to verify association of serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels with obesity, and to assess predictors of their serum concentrations in representative sample population of overweight/obese (n = 51) and normal weight (n = 26) apparently healthy adult female subjects recruited from typical urban area in Poland. Anthropometric measurements were taken from all participants who also completed a questionnaire on selected lifestyle factors. The serum concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol were measured by fully validated Chromsystems diagnostic kit employing isocratic RPHPLC with switched wavelength UV detection. Intake of energy, fat, vitamin A and E and alcohol consumption were estimated by seven daily dietary records. Multivariate linear regression models were fitted in order to estimate the predictors of serum retinol and α-tocopherol concentration. There were no statistically significant differences in the average serum levels of retinol and α-tocopherol between overweight/obese and normal weight adult female subjects. Serum α- tocopherol concentrations were positively correlated with serum total cholesterol level (TChol) and body mass index (BMI), but inversely with total energy intake and past dieting behaviour. The TChol and total energy intake were identified as predictors of serum retinol levels. Intakes of fat and vitamin E and A, age, serum triglyceride concentration, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity were unrelated to serum levels of retinol or α-tocopherol. The main finding of this study is that obesity is not associated with decreased serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels. In addition, these results indicated that dietary intake of vitamin A and E are poor predictors for serum retinol or α-tocopherol concentrations. Serum levels of both these vitamins are primarily influenced by TChol, obesity, total energy intake and past dieting behaviour

Seaweed Derived Lipids Are a Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agent: A Review

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is linked to the development of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and others which together contribute to more than 50% of deaths globally. Modulation of inflammatory responses may be a promising strategy, and n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) may offer a new therapeutic option in inflammatory conditions. Seaweeds are characterised by high nutritional quality and are a good source of many bioactive compounds, including n-3 LC-PUFA. This review addresses the potential anti-inflammatory properties of seaweed derived lipids, and their immunomodulating mechanisms in order to identify the possible applications of seaweed as an anti-inflammatory functional food ingredient or dietary supplement. A few studies have evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of seaweed lipids using crude lipid extracts, lipid fractions and isolated complex lipids from several seaweeds belonging to the Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta phyla, with only three Ulva rigida, Ulva sp. and Codium tomentosum within the Chlorophyta phylum. It was reported that seaweed derived lipids suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and reduce nuclear factor κB p100 and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 protein levels leading to the downregulation of the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide. Further investigations are required to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying their preventive action against chronic inflammation and their potential use as a new functional food ingredient and/or health supplement

Measured and perceived body weight status of women in the Peruvian Amazon

Background and objectives: The prevalence of obesity among adults has reached epidemic proportions in Latin America, placing large demands on health care systems. Research suggests cultural differences in body weight perceptions may be a barrier during the implementation of weight-loss strategies. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of weight misperception in Peruvian women and evaluate contributing factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 236 women were recruited in San Martín, northern Peru. Participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes towards their weight and health were collected. Self-perception of weight status was assessed with a 10-point scale and compared with measured body mass index (BMI). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with underestimation of weight status. Results: A total of 65.2% of women were classified as overweight/obese by BMI, but only 15.2% perceived themselves so. A total of 70.4% of women underestimated their weight status and no incidence of overestimation was reported. Overweight and obese women were more likely to underestimate their weight status than normal weight women (OR (Odds Ratio): 34.24, 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 11.55–101.45; OR: 42.06, 95% CI: 11.17–158.32, respectively). Women who underestimated weight status felt more comfortable with their weight (59.3% vs. 20.6, p < 0.001) and agreed a large stomach is a sign of good health (40.7% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001) versus those who correctly estimated. Conclusions: Underestimation of weigh status was highly prevalent and associated with unhealthy beliefs. Future public health programs must be culturally sensitive and tailored to specific groups within the population

The presence of blaIMP genes on plasmids DNA isolated from multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains at University Hospital in Bialystok (Poland)--first report.

Resistance to carbapenems is emerging, and it is a great problem to therapeutics. Seven multidrug-resistant (MDR) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated from urine and bronchial specimens. All isolates showed resistance to imipenem and meropenem (MIC; > or =16 mg/L). The resistance to carbapenems in two of seven strains was associated with the production of a metallo-beta-lactamases. Plasmids DNA probes were used to investigate the presence of genes coding for IMP-type enzymes. PCR experiments revealed that bla(IMP) genes were present in two isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC >32 microg/mL for both carbapenems)

Nutritional quality of lunches served in South East England hospital staff canteens

Worksite canteens generally are characterized by obesogenic environments, which offer access to energy-dense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages rather than nutrient-rich food. This study assessed the nutritional quality of hot lunches offered in National Health Service (NHS) hospital staff canteens: 35 side dishes and 112 meals were purchased from 8 NHS hospital staff canteens. The meals were analyzed for portion size, energy, protein, total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), salt, and the sodium to potassium ratio. The vegetarian and meat-based lunch meals served in the hospital staff canteens tended to be high in energy, total fat, saturated fatty acids, and salt: 40%, 59% and 67% of meat meals and 34%, 43%, and 80% of vegetarian meals were assigned the red traffic light label for total fat, salt, and SFAs per portion, respectively. Similar types of meals, but served in different hospitals, varied considerably in their nutritional quality. The consumption of some lunch meals could provide more than 50% of recommended total fat, SFAs, and salt for both men and women and daily energy for women. The majority of analyzed lunch meals were characterized by an unfavorable nutrient profile, and regular consumption of such meals may increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases

Saturated and trans-fatty acids in UK takeaway food

The aim of the study was to analyze the saturated fatty acid (SFA) and trans-fatty acid (TFA) contents of popular takeaway foods in the UK (including English, pizza, Chinese, Indian and kebab cuisine). Samples of meals were analyzed by an accredited public analyst laboratory for SFA and TFA. The meals were highly variable for SFA and TFA. English and Pizza meals had the highest median amount of SFA with 35.7 g/meal; Kebab meals were high in TFA with up to 5.2 g/meal. When compared to UK dietary reference values, some meals exceeded SFA and TFA recommendations from just one meal. Takeaway food would be an obvious target to reduce SFA and TFA contents and increase the potential of meeting UK recommendations. Strategies such as reformulation and smaller takeaway portion sizes warrant investigation

Photochromic Polymer and Hybrid Materials Containing Azo Methylisoxazole Dye

The photochromic polymer and sol-gel hybrid materials containing azo isoxazole derivatives were prepared. These new materials were used to form transparent films on glass plates by spin-coating technique. The maximum absorption band of the film was observed at 412–414 nm and 422 nm for polymer and hybrid materials, respectively. Illumination of the films with light caused isomerization of the diazo group manifested by decrease of the absorbance. The isomerization monitored during ellipsometric measurements showed decrease of refractive index on illumination. The magnitude of modulation of real part of the refractive index was in the range between 0.017 and 0.026. The surface relief grating (SRG) was successfully recorded in both polymer and copolymers films, containing methylisoxazole dye in the side chain. The refractive index modulation was also observed in the hybrid sol-gel film however no surface relief grating was recorded after 30 min inscription time

Morphological evolution of the mammalian jaw adductor complex

The evolution of the mammalian jaw during the transition from non-mammalian synapsids to crown mammals is a key event in vertebrate history and characterised by the gradual reduction of its individual bones into a single element and the concomitant transformation of the jaw joint and its incorporation into the middle ear complex. This osteological transformation is accompanied by a rearrangement and modification of the jaw adductor musculature, which is thought to have allowed the evolution of a more-efficient masticatory system in comparison to the plesiomorphic synapsid condition. While osteological characters relating to this transition are well documented in the fossil record, the exact arrangement and modifications of the individual adductor muscles during the cynodont–mammaliaform transition have been debated for nearly a century. We review the existing knowledge about the musculoskeletal evolution of the mammalian jaw adductor complex and evaluate previous hypotheses in the light of recently documented fossils that represent new specimens of existing species, which are of central importance to the mammalian origins debate. By employing computed tomography (CT) and digital reconstruction techniques to create three-dimensional models of the jaw adductor musculature in a number of representative non-mammalian cynodonts and mammaliaforms, we provide an updated perspective on mammalian jaw muscle evolution. As an emerging consensus, current evidence suggests that the mammal-like division of the jaw adductor musculature (into deep and superficial components of the m. masseter, the m. temporalis and the m. pterygoideus) was completed in Eucynodontia. The arrangement of the jaw adductor musculature in a mammalian fashion, with the m. pterygoideus group inserting on the dentary was completed in basal Mammaliaformes as suggested by the muscle reconstruction of Morganucodon oehleri. Consequently, transformation of the jaw adductor musculature from the ancestral (‘reptilian’) to the mammalian condition must have preceded the emergence of Mammalia and the full formation of the mammalian jaw joint. This suggests that the modification of the jaw adductor system played a pivotal role in the functional morphology and biomechanical stability of the jaw joint