Influence of integration with the European Union on economic transformations of farming in Poland on the example of Żnin Commune

The aim of this research is to present the transformations which have been taking place in the Polish agriculture on the example of the Żnin Commune, as well as define the influence of the European Union and its support programs on the range and pace of these changes. The survey was carried out in 2010, involving 172 owners of agricultural farms. A method of a survey was used. The results have been analyzed statistically. The surveys revealed that in the examined parish there were favorable conditions for the development of agriculture. This is largely connected with the increasing popularity of funds supporting transformations, the development of rural areas and active involvement of farmers in gaining this kind of support. In the future the transformation processes of farms will depend mainly on the course of changes in the European Union Common Agricultural Policy which is the main factor affecting the shape of this sector of economy. The course of change of rural areas and the future of farmers and their farms will depend on the form and quantity of support directed to rural areas. An important factor which affects shaping the transformation process will also be the awareness level of farm owners and their access to information

The influence of magnetic nanoparticle concentration with dextran polymers in agar gel on heating efficiency in magnetic hyperthermia

The article presents the results of research on the effect of magnetic hyperthermia performed on agar gel samples containing magnetite nanoparticles coated with dextran polymers for different molar weight M (150 kDa, 70 kDa, and 40 kDa). Regardless of the difference in molar dextran weights, these samples differed in a mass concentration of nanoparticles in the ferrogel C 0 (1.602 mg/cm 3, 2.506 mg/cm 3, 3.311 mg/cm 3, and 4.218 mg/cm 3). In the case of the highest magnetic field value H (20 kA·m −1), the specific loss power SPL reaches 70 W·g −1 for nanoparticles with 150 kDa dextran at a concentration of nanoparticles C 0 = 1.602 mg/cm 3. An oscillating magnetic field with an amplitude up to 20 kA·m −1 and a frequency of 357 kHz was used in the study

Uptake of perfluoroalkyl substances, pharmaceuticals, and parabens by oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and exposure risk in human consumption

Organic micropollutants (MPs) pose potential threats to environmental ecosystems and human health. This study investigated uptake of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pharmaceuticals, and paraben by edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), cultivated on spiked growth substrate. Concentrations of pharmaceuticals and paraben in substrate showed a decreasing trend over a 20-day harvesting period, whereas PFAS concentrations were variable over the harvesting period. However, only propylparaben, clarithromycin, and PFASs were detected in fruiting bodies of oyster mushroom. Uptake of PFASs by oyster mushroom fruit bodies was negatively correlated with perfluorocarbon chain length. An impact of MPs on fungal colonization was observed, with decreased respiration in treatments with the highest concentration of MPs, but production of fruiting bodies was not affected by exposure level. The potential human risk from ingestion of MPs was evaluated for oyster mushrooms exposed to the highest concentration of MPs in substrate, based on acceptable daily intake (ADI)

Establishment, growth and yield potential of the perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus on degraded coal mine soils

BBS/E/W/10963A01Miscanthus x giganteus is a giant C4 grass native to Asia. Unlike most C4 species, it is relatively cold tolerant due to adaptations across a wide range of altitudes. These grasses are characterized by high productivity and low input requirements, making them excellent candidates for bioenergy feedstock production. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for growing Miscanthus on extremely marginal soils, degraded by open lignite (brown coal) mining. Field experiments were established within three blocks situated on waste heaps originating from the lignite mine. Analyses were conducted over the first 3 years following Miscanthus cultivation, focusing on the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on crop growth, development and yield in this extreme environment. The following levels of fertilization were implemented between the blocks: the control plot with no fertilization (D0), a plot with sewage sludge (D1), a plot with an identical amount of sewage sludge plus one dose of mineral fertilizer (D2) and a plot with an identical amount of sewage sludge plus a double dose of mineral fertilizer (D3). Crop development and characteristics (plant height, tillering, and biomass yield [dry matter]) were measured throughout the study period and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Significant differences were apparent between plant development and 3rd year biomass production over the course of the study (0.964 kg plant-1 for DO compared to 1.503 kg plant-1 for D1). Soil analyses conducted over the course of the experiment showed that organic carbon levels within the soil increased significantly following the cultivation of Miscanthus, and overall, pH decreased. With the exception of iron, macronutrient concentrations remained stable throughout. The promising yields and positive effects of Miscanthus on the degraded soil suggests that long term plantations on land otherwise unsuitable for agriculture may prove to be of great environmental and economic significancepublishersversionPeer reviewe

Sono-magnetic heating in tumor phantom

There exist various types of hyperthermia therapy such as radiofrequency, infrared, microwave, focused ultrasound or magnetic. Recently, a lot of effort has been put into combining more than one mode of heating into one treatment. The multimodal hyperthermia proves a better alternative in comparison with a single one. In this paper, we show that the application of dual sono-magnetic heating (ultrasound and magnetic together) gives better results than using either of them alone. The advantage of this bimodal treatment lies not only in cumulative heating of target volume (tumor) but also in synergistic interaction between the two mechanisms—the ultrasound sonication can improve the thermal effect of magnetic hyperthermia through the unblocking Brown’s relaxation. Furthermore, the ultrasound and magnetic heating are complementary to each other. The temperature rise caused by ultrasound is fast changing and by magnetic field slow changing. So the parameters of ultrasound can serve as coarse-tuning settings of heating while the parameters of the magnetic field as fine-tuning enabling more precise hyperthermia

Comparison of the physicochemical properties of TiO2 thin films obtained by magnetron sputtering with continuous and pulsed gas flow

In this paper, a comparison of TiO2 thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering with a continuous and pulsed gas flow was presented. Structural, surface, optical, and mechanical properties of deposited titanium dioxide coatings were analyzed with the use of a wide range of measurement techniques. It was found that thin films deposited with a gas impulse had a nanocrystalline rutile structure instead of fibrous-like anatase obtained with a continuous gas flow. TiO2 thin films deposited with both techniques were transparent in the visible wavelength range, however, a much higher refractive index and packing density were observed for coatings deposited by the pulsed gas technique. The application of a gas impulse improved the hardness and scratch resistance of the prepared TiO2 thin films

Polish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics statement on safety measures and performance of ultrasound examinations in obstetrics and gynecology during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

We present recommendations on performance and safety measures of ultrasound examinations in obstetrics and gynecologyduring the SARS COV-2 pandemic. The statement was prepared based on the current knowledge on the coronavirusby the Ultrasound Section of the Polish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It has to be noted that the presented guidanceis based on limited evidence and is primarily based on experiences published by authors from areas most affected bythe virus thus far, such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Italy. We realize that the pandemic situation is very dynamic.New data is published every day. Despite the imposed limitations related to the necessity of social distancing, it is crucialto remember that providing optimal care in safe conditions should remain the primary goal of healthcare providers. Weplan to update the current guidelines as the situation develops