Tożsamość upamiętniona w przestawieniach świętych. Przykład wczesnochrześcijańskich mozaik w rotundzie w Salonikach w Grecji

The article aims at presenting the mosaics from the dome of the early Christian church – the Rotunda in Thessaloniki, Greece. The function of the mosaics are twofold: (a) the portrayal of the early Christian identity and (b) the construction of the identity of the spectators – the Christians. The mosaics depicted thirteen Saints and were composed of the elements originating from ancient art that were used to strengthen a new Christian identity. The Saints were depicted as orants wearing garments, which are traditionally reserved to the high officials. Their eyes, hair, and garments were depicted in purple that is the colour conventionally restricted to the emperor. In this way, the Christians emphasised the high social status given to the Saints and strengthened their identity. Furthermore, these modes of representation had a profound impact upon the spectators creating and maintaining their identity

A multidisciplinary study of anti-vampire burials from early medieval Culmen, Poland: were the diseased and disabled regarded as vampires?

The definitions and interpretations of anti-vampire burials have provoked impassioned discussion in archaeology over the last century. That the diseased and disabled were sometimes perceived as vampires is very intriguing and worth investigating because historical and ethnographic materials and archaeological studies indicate a connection between disease (e.g. tuberculosis and anaemia) and vampirism. Until the development of germ theory in the 19th century, some people explained the phenomenon of disease and death as its consequence by connecting it with beliefs in vampires. We investigate if the diseased and disabled were buried in anti-vampire graves based on materials from early medieval Culmen in Poland. We selected 574 skeletons from 566 graves for our analysis. The research allowed the identification of 13 antivampire graves, which include 14 skeletons. Of 574 skeletons, 299 indicate pathological lesions associated with diseases and 8 skeletons indicate lesions associated with disabilities. Among the individuals buried in anti-vampire graves (N=14), 11 had pathological lesions associated with diseases and one – lesions associated with disability. We analyse each disease and condition separately to see if it was a reason for burying individuals in anti-vampire graves. Our analyses have shown that the diseases and conditions that were identified on skeletons in anti-vampire graves were common in the past populations, including Culmen, and apparently not connected with the appearance of a vampire. Therefore, we conclude that diseases and disabilities were not the reason for perceiving someone as a vampire in Culmen

Accumulation of abdominal fat in relation to selected proinflammatory cytokines concentrations in non-obese Wrocław inhabitants

Wstęp: Osoby z zespołem metabolicznej otyłości z prawidłową masa ciała (MONW), mimo prawidłowego wskaźnika masy ciała (BMI), są narażone na powikłania typowe dla otyłości. Może to wynikać z subklinicznego stanu zapalnego, wynikającego z nadmiernego gromadzenia tkanki tłuszczowej brzusznej. Celem pracy była ocena związku pomiędzy nagromadzeniem tkanki tłuszczowej, szczególnie okolicy brzusznej, a stężeniem wybranych cytokin prozapalnych — interleukiny 6, 18 i białka C-reaktywnego (CRP), biorących udział w aterogenezie.Materiał i metody: Badaniem objęto 342 osoby (218 kobiet, 124 mężczyzn w wieku 20–40 lat, z BMI > 27 kg/m2), mieszkańców Wrocławia. Grupę podzielono ze względu na wartość wskaźnika insulinooporności (HOMA): 90 osób — grupa MONW ( HOMA < 1.69), 252 osoby — grupa kontrolna. Oceniono parametry antropometryczne, stężenia IL-6, IL-18, CRP, glukozy, insuliny oraz wskaźniki insulinowrażliwości i insulinooporności.Wyniki: Stężenie CRP było istotnie wyższe w grupie kobiet MONW niż kontrolnej (3,26 vs. 1,97, p = 0,03). Stężenia IL-6 i IL-18 nie różniły się pomiędzy grupami, zarówno u kobiet, jak i u mężczyzn. Dodatnią korelację zanotowano między stężeniem IL-6 a wskaźnikiem centralizacji tłuszczu u kobiet. Stwierdzono dodatnią korelację między stężeniem CRP a BMI, wskaźnikiem talia– biodra, obwodem talii u obu płci. U kobiet istniała także dodatnia korelacja między CRP a wskaźnikami HOMA i FIRI i ujemna ze wskaźnikiem QUICKI.Wnioski: Zwiększone gromadzenie tłuszczu okolicy brzusznej u zdrowych, młodych osób, wiąże się z podwyższonym stężeniem CRP. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (6): 449–455)Introduction: Metabolically obese normal weight (MONW) subjects, despite their normal BMI, present metabolic disturbances characteristic of abdominal obesity. One of the reasons might be subclinical inflammation caused by the fat tissue excess. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the accumulation of fat (especially abdominal) and the concentration of selected proinflammatory cytokines — interleukins (IL-6, IL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP).Material and methods: The study population consisted of 342 subjects (218 women, 124 men; age 20–40 years, BMI < 27 kg/m2) recruited from a community centre in Wroclaw. The group was divided based on the homeostasis assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA) value: 90 MONW subjects with HOMA > 1.69 and 252 subjects as control group. Anthropometric parameters, serum IL-6, IL-18, CRP, glucose, insulin concentrations and insulin sensitivity/resistance indexes were evaluated.Results: CRP levels were significantly higher (3.26 vs. 1.97, p = 0.03) in MONW women than in the control group. Serum IL-6, IL-18 levels in males and females did not differ in both groups. IL-6 showed a significant correlation with the abdominal to gynoidal fat tissue deposit ratio in women. There were correlations between the CRP and BMI, WHR, waist circumference, total fat, abdominal fat deposit, and abdominal to gynoidal fat deposit ratio in both sexes. In women, positive correlations between CRP and HOMA, FIRI and negative with QUICKI index were present.Conclusions: Increased accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue in non-obese, young and healthy subjects is related to increased CRP levels. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (6): 449–455

Indicators guidelines : to adopt an indicators-based approach to evaluate coastal sustainable development

The Indicators Guidelines (IG) report contains the most significant conclusions, results and products obtained from the development of the INTERREG IIIC South DEDUCE project during the period 2004-2007. The general goal of the project is to test the set of indicators proposed in 2003 by the EU Working Group on Indicators and Data at various scales and levels of governance. This covers European level, the member states, regional and local authorities. The calculation process developed by the DEDUCE partners, pursues two objectives: To propose a common methodological framework, To illustrate the relevance and usefulness of the indicators approach. The IG is intended to demonstrate, that the current coastal policy framework does not define a consistent and common approach to the measurement and evaluation of the levels of sustainability in EU coastal and maritime zones (Chapter 2). Despite this, some emerging and existing integrated policies, such as the EU Green Paper on Maritime Policy and the European Strategy for Sustainable Development do consider this approach. Only a few existing policies (e.g. EU Water Framework Directive) define the indicators and thresholds of acceptance in detail.peer-reviewe

Guide d’utilisation des indicateurs - mettre en oeuvre une approche basée sur les indicateurs pour évaluer le développement durable sur le littoral

Ce rapport contient les conclusions, les résultats et les produits les plus significatifs du projet INTERREG IIIC Sud "DEDUCE" pendant la période 2004-2007. L'objectif général du projet était de tester la série d'indicateurs proposée en 2003 par le groupe de travail européen "Indicateurs et données" à des échelles et des niveaux de gouvernance différents, à savoir le niveau européen, les Etats membres et les autorités locales et régionales. Le processus de calcul élaboré par les partenaires de DEDUCE poursuit deux buts :• Proposer un cadre méthodologique commun ; • Illustrer la pertinence et l'utilité de l'approche basée sur des indicateurs.Il souhaite montrer que le cadre actuel des politiques côtières ne définit pas une approche cohérente et commune en matière de mesure et d'évaluation des niveaux de durabilité dans les zones côtières et marines de l'Union Européenne (Chapitre 2). Cependant, une telle approche est présente dans certaines politiques intégrées existantes ou émergentes, telles que le Livre vert sur la future politique maritime européenne et la Stratégie européenne en faveur du développement durable. Par ailleurs, seul un petit nombre de politiques existantes (par exemple, la Directive Cadre sur l'Eau) définissent de manière détaillée des indicateurs et des seuils d'acceptation. Il présente et explique la proposition de cadre méthodologique pour les indicateurs de développement durable dans les zones côtières et marines (Chapitre 3) élaborée par DEDUCE. Ce faisant, il essaie de combler le manque d'approche commune. Cette proposition s'articule autour de trois éléments principaux, qui correspondent aux trois questions suivantes :• Comment peut-on calculer des indicateurs selon une méthodologie commune ? Des méthodologies de calcul de 45 mesures avec un format standard et approprié pour toutes les régions et tous les pays de l'Union Européenne ont été définies ; • Quels sont les principaux problèmes et obstacles rencontrés au cours du processus de calcul ? 180 fiches de calcul, à des échelles différentes, décrivent les difficultés, les forces et les faiblesses de l'obtention et du traitement des données relatives à chacune des mesures ; • Comment pouvons-nous intégrer les résultats et les conclusions et quels sont les conclusions du processus de calcul ? 25 fiches de synthèse montrent les avantages d'une analyse comparative entre les différents niveaux géographiques.Tous ces éléments, ainsi que d'autres, issus du projet DEDUCE, sont disponibles sur le site www.deduce.eu. Le développement méthodologique comprend également un point de vue pragmatique sur la mise en œuvre de la directive INSPIRE pour les zones côtières et marines en utilisant une infrastructure de données spatiales commune. Les difficultés et les obstacles au développement de cette infrastructure sont analysés à partir des réponses à un questionnaire concernant les systèmes d’information géographique littoraux mis en œuvre par les partenaires de DEDUCE. Les arguments en faveur de l'utilité du cadre méthodologique pour les indicateurs de développement durable dans les zones côtières et marines sont détaillés autour des thèmes suivants (Chapitre 4) :• Utilité d'évaluer l'aménagement et la gestion dans les zones côtières et marines ; • Utilité d'intégrer et de coordonner les analyses et la recherche dans les zones côtières et marines ; • Possibilité d'améliorer la visibilité et la perception des zones côtières et marines.Le rapport donne également des exemples d'application pratique de ce cadre méthodologique à travers sept expériences qui ont été mises en œuvre du niveau européen au niveau local. Les sept fiches de synthèse sont structurées autour des sept objectifs de la Recommandation européenne relative à la Gestion Intégrée des Zones Côtières (2002). Elles comprennent les résultats des calculs, l'analyse intégrée et des informations pratiques relatives à l'utilisation du cadre méthodologique pour les indicateurs (Chapitre 5). Enfin, le dernier chapitre du rapport (Chapitre 6) présente :• L'évaluation finale du processus de calcul élaboré par les partenaires de DEDUCE ; • Des recommandations pour améliorer la série d'indicateurs proposée par le groupe de travail européen "Indicateurs et données", sur la base de 6 séminaires nationaux et d'une conférence technique organisée à Tarragone (mars 2007) ; • Les travaux ultérieurs requis pour compléter l'approche du cadre méthodologique basé sur des indicateurs en vue de construire un système d'informations maritimes cohérent.peer-reviewe

Verification of linear scalability of a business Big Data platform against the Queueing Networks model

Ensuring that software built on top of distributed systems for Big Data has good scalability properties is crucial for the design of long-lasting and reliable products. The purpose of this Master Thesis is to investigate and characterize scalability of a business Big Data platform, URights, developed by IBM in cooperation with a French association, SACEM. This work focuses on the initial step in URights called Ingestion. Scalability is examined in the context of proportionally growing workloads and resources. Following the study, a set of recommendations for the platform is formulated. Applicability of different techniques of performance evaluation for assessment of scalability is examined. Three methods of evaluation are used in this work. First, a mathematical analysis based on Queueing Networks (QNs) is conducted. Then, a simulation engine extending the QN model is designed and a set of simulations is run. Finally, an empirical evaluation is conducted in a test environment. Due to the scarcity of data and stark differences between the test and production environments, the reliability of the empirical results is questionable. Mathematical analysis and simulations suggest that fine-grained parallelism is desirable for low and middle workloads. Also, if more data must be processed, it is better to increase the frequency of batches used in URights rather than their sizes. Finally, a potential bottleneck operation is identified. The use of different methods of evaluation allows us to progressively formulate and investigate more complicated questions as well as to observe the limits and benefits of each tool.Mjukvara som styr distribuerade system måste ha god skalbarhet , ett avgörande krav för hållbara och pålitliga produkter. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka och beskriva skalbarheten hos Big Data plattformen URights, som har utvecklats av IBM tillsammans med den fransk organisationen SATEM. Arbetet fokuserar på URights första steg som kallas ingestion, och skalbarhet undersöks genom att låta resurserna växa linjärt i proportion till ökade belastningar. Detta leder till ett antal rekommendationer för fortsatt utveckling av plattformen. Ett antal olika sätt att mäta prestanda tillsammans med skalbarhet undersöks. Tre utvärderingsmetoder används i rapporten. Först genomförs en matematisk analys baserad på Queuing Networks (QN). Sedan utvecklas en simulationsmodell ovanpå denna och ett antal simulationer av systemet körs. Slutligen utförs en empirisk utvärdering i en testmiljö. På grund av brist på data och stora skillnader mellan test- och produktionsmiljöerna kan de empiriska resultaten inte ses som helt säkerställda. Den matematiska analysen och simulationerna antyder att finkornig (fine-grained) parallellitet är att föredra för små och medelstora belastningar. Om mer data skall behandlas är det bättre att öka antalet minnesdelar i URights, snarare än att öka deras storlek. En tänkbar flaskhalsoperation identifieras också. Sammanfattningsvis leder användandet av flera utvärderingsmetoder till utökade möjligheter att gradvis formulera och pröva mer och mer komplicerade frågeställningar, samtidigt som varje verktygs för-och nackdelar tas i akt

Verification of linear scalability of a business Big Data platform against the Queueing Networks model

Ensuring that software built on top of distributed systems for Big Data has good scalability properties is crucial for the design of long-lasting and reliable products. The purpose of this Master Thesis is to investigate and characterize scalability of a business Big Data platform, URights, developed by IBM in cooperation with a French association, SACEM. This work focuses on the initial step in URights called Ingestion. Scalability is examined in the context of proportionally growing workloads and resources. Following the study, a set of recommendations for the platform is formulated. Applicability of different techniques of performance evaluation for assessment of scalability is examined. Three methods of evaluation are used in this work. First, a mathematical analysis based on Queueing Networks (QNs) is conducted. Then, a simulation engine extending the QN model is designed and a set of simulations is run. Finally, an empirical evaluation is conducted in a test environment. Due to the scarcity of data and stark differences between the test and production environments, the reliability of the empirical results is questionable. Mathematical analysis and simulations suggest that fine-grained parallelism is desirable for low and middle workloads. Also, if more data must be processed, it is better to increase the frequency of batches used in URights rather than their sizes. Finally, a potential bottleneck operation is identified. The use of different methods of evaluation allows us to progressively formulate and investigate more complicated questions as well as to observe the limits and benefits of each tool.Mjukvara som styr distribuerade system måste ha god skalbarhet , ett avgörande krav för hållbara och pålitliga produkter. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka och beskriva skalbarheten hos Big Data plattformen URights, som har utvecklats av IBM tillsammans med den fransk organisationen SATEM. Arbetet fokuserar på URights första steg som kallas ingestion, och skalbarhet undersöks genom att låta resurserna växa linjärt i proportion till ökade belastningar. Detta leder till ett antal rekommendationer för fortsatt utveckling av plattformen. Ett antal olika sätt att mäta prestanda tillsammans med skalbarhet undersöks. Tre utvärderingsmetoder används i rapporten. Först genomförs en matematisk analys baserad på Queuing Networks (QN). Sedan utvecklas en simulationsmodell ovanpå denna och ett antal simulationer av systemet körs. Slutligen utförs en empirisk utvärdering i en testmiljö. På grund av brist på data och stora skillnader mellan test- och produktionsmiljöerna kan de empiriska resultaten inte ses som helt säkerställda. Den matematiska analysen och simulationerna antyder att finkornig (fine-grained) parallellitet är att föredra för små och medelstora belastningar. Om mer data skall behandlas är det bättre att öka antalet minnesdelar i URights, snarare än att öka deras storlek. En tänkbar flaskhalsoperation identifieras också. Sammanfattningsvis leder användandet av flera utvärderingsmetoder till utökade möjligheter att gradvis formulera och pröva mer och mer komplicerade frågeställningar, samtidigt som varje verktygs för-och nackdelar tas i akt

Verification of linear scalability of a business Big Data platform against the Queueing Networks model

Ensuring that software built on top of distributed systems for Big Data has good scalability properties is crucial for the design of long-lasting and reliable products. The purpose of this Master Thesis is to investigate and characterize scalability of a business Big Data platform, URights, developed by IBM in cooperation with a French association, SACEM. This work focuses on the initial step in URights called Ingestion. Scalability is examined in the context of proportionally growing workloads and resources. Following the study, a set of recommendations for the platform is formulated. Applicability of different techniques of performance evaluation for assessment of scalability is examined. Three methods of evaluation are used in this work. First, a mathematical analysis based on Queueing Networks (QNs) is conducted. Then, a simulation engine extending the QN model is designed and a set of simulations is run. Finally, an empirical evaluation is conducted in a test environment. Due to the scarcity of data and stark differences between the test and production environments, the reliability of the empirical results is questionable. Mathematical analysis and simulations suggest that fine-grained parallelism is desirable for low and middle workloads. Also, if more data must be processed, it is better to increase the frequency of batches used in URights rather than their sizes. Finally, a potential bottleneck operation is identified. The use of different methods of evaluation allows us to progressively formulate and investigate more complicated questions as well as to observe the limits and benefits of each tool.Mjukvara som styr distribuerade system måste ha god skalbarhet , ett avgörande krav för hållbara och pålitliga produkter. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka och beskriva skalbarheten hos Big Data plattformen URights, som har utvecklats av IBM tillsammans med den fransk organisationen SATEM. Arbetet fokuserar på URights första steg som kallas ingestion, och skalbarhet undersöks genom att låta resurserna växa linjärt i proportion till ökade belastningar. Detta leder till ett antal rekommendationer för fortsatt utveckling av plattformen. Ett antal olika sätt att mäta prestanda tillsammans med skalbarhet undersöks. Tre utvärderingsmetoder används i rapporten. Först genomförs en matematisk analys baserad på Queuing Networks (QN). Sedan utvecklas en simulationsmodell ovanpå denna och ett antal simulationer av systemet körs. Slutligen utförs en empirisk utvärdering i en testmiljö. På grund av brist på data och stora skillnader mellan test- och produktionsmiljöerna kan de empiriska resultaten inte ses som helt säkerställda. Den matematiska analysen och simulationerna antyder att finkornig (fine-grained) parallellitet är att föredra för små och medelstora belastningar. Om mer data skall behandlas är det bättre att öka antalet minnesdelar i URights, snarare än att öka deras storlek. En tänkbar flaskhalsoperation identifieras också. Sammanfattningsvis leder användandet av flera utvärderingsmetoder till utökade möjligheter att gradvis formulera och pröva mer och mer komplicerade frågeställningar, samtidigt som varje verktygs för-och nackdelar tas i akt