Scattering correction for samples with cylindrical domains measured with polarized infrared spectroscopy

Scattering artifacts are one of the most common effects distorting transmission spectra in Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Their increased impact, strongly diminishing the quantitative and qualitative power of IR spectroscopy, is especially observed for structures with a size comparable to the radiation wavelength. To tackle this problem, a wide range of preprocessing techniques based on the Extended Multiplicative Scattering Correction method was developed, using physical properties to remove scattering presence in the spectra. However, until recently those algorithms were mostly focused on spherically shaped samples, for example, cells. Here, an algorithm for samples with cylindrical domains is described, with additional implementation of a linearly polarized light case, which is crucial for the growing field of polarized IR imaging and spectroscopy. An open-source code with GPU based implementation is provided, with a calculation time of several seconds per spectrum. Optimizations done to improve the throughput of this algorithm allow the application of this method into the standard preprocessing pipeline of small datasets

PREDICTING PERFORMANCE IN SPEED CLIMBING: ACCURACY OF THE FORCE-VELOCITY TEST ON A CYCLE ERGOMETER

The present study examined the validity of the force-velocity (F-V) mechanical parameters of the lower limbs as a predictors of the competitive performance in junior male speed climbing. The second aim was to evaluate F-V characteristics in competitive speed climbers in the junior male category. Ten junior male speed climbers (age: 18±0.5 years; BH: 174.7±4.5 cm; BW: 66.4±6.6 kg; with mean best climbing time from the competition BCT: 7.29±0.66 s) were participants in the research. All they were participants in the Youth European Cup in speed climbing. F-V characteristics were measured using a cycle ergometer test according to the Vandewalle’s protocol. To evaluate of the validity between BCT (criterion) and mechanical parameters (practical measures) from F-V test a standard error of the estimate (expressed as a raw and standardized typical error, TE) and correlation coefficients (rx,y) were used. Moreover, the validity of BCT as a potentially predictor of final competition rank (as a criterion for BCT) was evaluated. Additionally the mean value and standard deviation were calculated for all measured variables. Validity of the BCT as a competition place predictor was largely overestimated (TE=0.73 and rx,y=0.81, p p≤0.05). Accuracy of the BCT prediction for somatic and mechanical variables were very largely error biased. The standardized values of TE for these variables were: 1.93÷7.25. The rx,y were in the range of -0.18 to -0.46. The level of the mechanical variables from the F-V cycle ergometer as a predictors of the BCT in speed climbing may be largely error biased. Application of the cycle ergometer F-V test of prediction BCT values in speed climbing may have low practical value. Moreover, BCT variable may be a poor predictor of the final competition result. Coaches should take these suggestions into account during preparations to speed climbing competitions.

Motywy podjęcia studiów na Wydziale Nauk o Ziemi Uniwersytetu Śląskiego w 2009 roku

The research conducted at the Earth Sciences Faculty, University of Silesia, majors: geography, geology and geophysics, focused on the motives to undertake study. Respondents recruited mostly (75%) from the region (lack of data in 41 questionnaires) (silesian voivodship – fig. 1). Most of the youth coming from nearby cities, towns and villages would not probably undertake the study, if there were tuition fees to be paid (fig. 8). One may draw a conclusion, that the University of Silesia gives the chance to undertake higher education for a wide range of young people, who otherwise would not be able to achieve it. Majority of those polled have attended a general high school, much less vocational secondary school or specialized high school (fig. 2). Most of the respondents were examined after their high school during the “matura” exam in new formula (fig. 3), choosing as their third subject (besides Polish and foreign language) geography, biology or mathematics, rarely other subjects (fig. 4). The major chosen by the graduates was in most cases the priority one or the best of these, at which they were admitted. More priority statements were among the geography students and postgraduate students, than between the others (fig. 5). The most frequently marked answers to the question about motives to undertake study on the chosen major, were: interest in travelling or opportunity to travel and be trained in field (62% of respondents), prospects of future job (38%), interesting specializations and the proximity of the higher education institution (both 35%; fig. 6). Prospect of working in the future means being a teacher only for 40% of the undergraduate geographers and 27% postgraduate geography students (fig. 9). Future job prospects were chosen by the geophysics (54,5%), undergraduate and postgraduate students (53,2% and 48,6%), while the undergraduate and postgraduate geography students preferred this answer in 32,8% and 24,0%. Interesting specializations and proximity to place of residence was important for geology students. Geophysics, undergraduate and postgraduate geography students chose students’ life as their motive to undertake study very frequently (tab. 1). The biggest number of students were informed about the possibility to study their major at the University of Silesia from the university web site, some of them also from the information booklet about higher education or their friends and relatives (fig. 7)

Application of Non-destructive Testing for Measurement of Partial Discharges in Oil Insulation Systems

The subject area regards to metrology and measurement methods applied for non-destructive investigation of electrical discharges occurring in oil insulation systems of high-voltage devices. The main aim of performed research studies is a detailed and multivariate analysis of physical phenomena associated with generation of electrical partial discharges (PD), which occur in oil insulation of electrical equipment. An important cognitive component was the verification whether the form of PD has an effect on the energy contribution of the physical phenomena associated with their generation. For investigating the physical processes associated with generation of PD, a system for modelling, the study and analysis of physical phenomena associated with their generation in insulating oil were designed and implemented. In particular, the PD were simulated in three setups: (1) a surface system, (2) needle-needle system in insulating oil and (3) needle-needle system in insulating oil with gas bubbles. In these experimental setups, optical signals (IR, UV and visible), ultra–high frequency electromagnetic and high-energy X-ray radiation, acoustic emission and thermal images were registered. Recorded signals were subjected for multi-variant investigation and analyses in the time and frequency domains. The contribution of particular physical phenomena was determined

Serum concentration of selected biochemical markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in patients with the varying activity of inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction Endothelial dysfunction leads to an increased expression of cell adhesion molecules, leukocyte diapedesis, vascular smooth‑muscle tone, excessive permeability of vascular walls, and increased procoagulant activity. Objectives We investigated whether serum levels of several endothelial and platelet activation markers correlated with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients and methods This study included 56 patients with ulcerative colitis, 66 with Crohn disease, and 40 healthy controls. We measured the complete blood count and levels of fibrinogen, C‑reactive protein, albumin, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, E‑selectin, P‑selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‑1), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), and microparticles. Results There were no significant differences in the median levels of E‑selectin, P‑selectin, MCP‑1, sCD40L, and microparticles between patients with active IBD, those with inactive IBD, and healthy controls. The clinical disease activity assessed with the Mayo scale in the ulcerative‑colitis group was weakly, positively correlated with sCD40L (R = 0.32, P = 0.02), P‑selectin (R = 0.32, P = 0.02), and inflammatory marker levels. The clinical disease activity index in the Crohn disease group was positively correlated with the markers of inflammation yet not with the markers of endothelial activity. Conclusions E‑selectin, P‑selectin, sCD40L, MCP‑1, and microparticle levels do not significantly differ between patients with the varying activity of IBD. However, due to the observed correlations, further studies of a larger patient group should be conducted to confirm our observations

The use of cannabinoids in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - a review of the latest literature

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common problem in adolescents and adults around the world. ADHD is particularly characterized by inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity, and in order to deal with these problems, patients often resort to other methods of treatment in addition to classic pharmacotherapy. Increasing numbers of ADHD patients are self-medicating with cannabis, despite the lack of specific evidence on its efficacy and safety. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to review the most recent available literature on the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of ADHD. For this purpose, PubMed and scopus databases were reviewed. The phrase "cannabidiol and ADHD" was used in the database search. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, 15 articles and articles cited in them were obtained and analyzed in detail. Results: Cannabinoids are reported to have pharmacological anxiolytic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antipsychotic and hypnotic effects. Single-case studies of patients treated with them show that cannabinoids reduced hyperactivity, improved focus and control of impulsive behavior. Patients also reported side effects of cannabis use, the most common being mild short-term memory problems, dry mouth, sleepiness, and occasional experiences of constant thirst and greater forgetfulness. Most of the acute side effects were related to neuropsychiatric symptoms and were associated with cardiac sympathomimetic effects  Conclusion:  There is evidence for the effects of cannabinoids on ADHD symptoms as well as the influence of the cannabinoid system on involvement in neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, more controlled clinical trials are needed to determine the effect of cannabis use on ADHD symptoms and the norms of its use in this indication

The comparison between the results of treatment of patients after ACL reconstruction using double-folded semitendinosus and gracilis tendons and quadruple-folded semitendinosus tendon

Introduction. Injuries of knee are considered as a significant clinical issue according to difficulties in diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation of patients. One of the most common pathologies are injuries of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which represent  around 90% of all damages. There are four basic mechanisms of ACL injury, but the most common are sudden hyperextension and internal rotation of the lower leg outside the physiological range of movements. Breaking of ACL in young and active people is undisputable indication for surgery – failure to do so leads to further damages of menisci and to osteoarthritis.Purpose of research. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of ACL reconstruction with the use of the technique of double-folded tendons of semitendinosus and gracilis musles and quadruple-folded tendon of semitendinosus muscle.Materials and methods. A retrospective study consisted of two stages. The results of the post-reconstructive knee rehabilitation opinion survey and postoperative records were analyzed. The study examined 46 patients aged 19-59 years, hospitalized in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology SPSK4 in Lublin.Results. In order to better visualize the results, the patients were divided into four groups, depending on the KOOS score. Statistically significant, in favor of double-folded tendons of semitendinosus and gracilis muscles, were patient’s assessments of the condition in two categories: presence and severity of pain and specific symptoms. The statistically insignificant result was obtained for the parameters: the possibility of active sports, the effects on daily activities and the general quality of life.Conclusions. The relationship between the technique used and the patient experiencing pain and specific symptoms was found. Patients undergoing surgery using double-folded semitendinosus and gracilis muscles experienced lesser symptoms