Operation Moonshot: rapid translation of a SARS-CoV-2 targeted peptide immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry test from research into routine clinical use

OBJECTIVES: During 2020, the UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) established the Moonshot programme to fund various diagnostic approaches for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen behind the COVID-19 pandemic. Mass spectrometry was one of the technologies proposed to increase testing capacity. METHODS: Moonshot funded a multi-phase development programme, bringing together experts from academia, industry and the NHS to develop a state-of-the-art targeted protein assay utilising enrichment and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to capture and detect low levels of tryptic peptides derived from SARS-CoV-2 virus. The assay relies on detection of target peptides, ADETQALPQRK (ADE) and AYNVTQAFGR (AYN), derived from the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2, measurement of which allowed the specific, sensitive, and robust detection of the virus from nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of LC-MS/MS was compared with reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) via a prospective study. RESULTS: Analysis of NP swabs (n=361) with a median RT-qPCR quantification cycle (Cq) of 27 (range 16.7-39.1) demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity of 92.4% (87.4-95.5), specificity of 97.4% (94.0-98.9) and near total concordance with RT-qPCR (Cohen's Kappa 0.90). Excluding Cq>32 samples, sensitivity was 97.9% (94.1-99.3), specificity 97.4% (94.0-98.9) and Cohen's Kappa 0.95. CONCLUSIONS: This unique collaboration between academia, industry and the NHS enabled development, translation, and validation of a SARS-CoV-2 method in NP swabs to be achieved in 5 months. This pilot provides a model and pipeline for future accelerated development and implementation of LC-MS/MS protein/peptide assays into the routine clinical laboratory

Threat of allergenic airborne grass pollen in Szczecin, NW Poland: the dynamics of pollen seasons, effect of meteorological variables and air pollution

The dynamics of Poaceae pollen season, in particularly that of the Secale genus, in Szczecin (western Poland) 2004–2008 was analysed to establish a relationship between the meteorological variables, air pollution and the pollen count of the taxa studied. Consecutive phases during the pollen season were defined for each taxon (1, 2.5, 5, 25, 50, 75, 95, 97.5, 99% of annual total), and duration of the season was determined using the 98% method. On the basis of this analysis, the temporary differences in the dynamics of the seasons were most evident for Secale in 2005 and 2006 with the longest main pollen season (90% total pollen). The pollen season of Poaceae started the earliest in 2007, when thermal conditions were the most favourable. Correlation analysis with meteorological factors demonstrated that the relative humidity, mean and maximum air temperature, and rainfall were the factors influencing the average daily pollen concentrations in the atmosphere; also, the presence of air pollutants such as ozone, PM10 and SO2 was statistically related to the pollen count in the air. However, multiple regression models explained little part of the total variance. Atmospheric pollution induces aggravation of symptoms of grass pollen allergy

Rodzaje ryzyk w procesie inwestowania w odnawialne źródła energii elektrycznej

The development of renewable power engineering is inevitable. Administrative, financial, political, social, environmental or technical/technological barriers are and must be minimized. They determine the scale of risk borne by the investor. Risk due to the special character of investments is high and is intensified by difficulties associated with the growing liberalization and deregulation of the power market. In the process of investing in RES, several phases are enumerated. Each of them is divided into stages, with hazards visible in them. Types of the renewable energy sources, despite differences in their obtaining and processing into usable energy, are characterized by many common elements as to the kinds of risk. The article presents an attempt to specify them and assign them a rank importance for the project.Rozwój energetyki odnawialnej jest nieunikniony. Bariery administracyjne, finansowe, polityczne, społeczne, środowiskowe czy techniczno-technologiczne są i muszą być minimalizowane. Stanowią one o skali ryzyka ponoszonego przez inwestora. Ryzyko ze względu na specyfikę inwestycji jest wysokie i potęgują je trudności związane z postępującą liberalizacją oraz deregulacją rynku energii. W procesie inwestowania w OZE wyróżnia się kilka faz. Każda z nich dzieli się na etapy, a w nich uwidaczniają się zagrożenia. Rodzaje źródeł odnawialnej energii, mimo różnic w ich pozyskiwaniu i przetwarzaniu na energię użytkową, cechuje wiele elementów wspólnych w zakresie rodzajów ryzyka. W artykule podjęto próbę ich wyspecyfikowania oraz nadania im rangi istotności dla projektu

Quality issues in the field of international students exchange mobility in Poland and Czech Republic under Erasmus+ programme

International exchanges programs are one of the most important directions of contemporary European universities development. The quality level of the international exchange of students and academic staff determines not only the quality level of the education, but it also creates directions of the future research through the prism of international cooperation between universities and students. Papers presents research findings on the international exchange students’ mobility under Erasmus+ programme between Polish and Czech universities in 2000 – 2014. The main objective of the research is to identify the most important elements of the Erasmus+ mobility results as advantages and disadvantages of the international cooperation between analyzed countries

Influence of regulator on financial factors of the electricity distribution system operators

Energia elektryczna jest produktem przeznaczonym na sprzedaż. Ma jednak specyficzne znaczenie, które skutkuje nadaniem jej przymiotu dobra publicznego. Przyczyną takiego stanu jest konieczność zagwarantowania ciągłości jej dostaw. Niezbędna jest nie tylko dla prawidłowego funkcjonowania gospodarstw domowych, lecz w szczególności konieczna dla zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa kraju. W obowiązującym systemie gospodarczym, posługując się terminem konstytucyjnym: społeczną gospodarką rynkową, to konkurencja, uważana jest za najlepszą metodę kształtowania rynku i występujących w jego ramach stosunków. Niewątpliwie nie we wszystkich podsektorach energetyki niewidzialna ręka rynku pozwala na realizację swoich celów i funkcji w sposób wystarczający. Zatem niezbędne staje się wprowadzenie odpowiednich, aktywnych mechanizmów regulacji stanowiących skuteczny substytut dla konkurencji. Regulatorowi – czyli prezesowi Urzę- du Regulacji Energetyki przypisano szereg zadań i kompetencji. Ma on obowiązek dbania o interes państwa w zakresie rozwoju przedsiębiorstw energetycznych. Równocześnie wykonuje on zadanie ochrony odbiorcy końcowego przed nakładaniem nieuzasadnionych opłat za dostarczaną energię. Jednakże regulator nie może być rzecznikiem wyselekcjonowanej grupy uczestników rynku. Jego funkcją jest zastępowanie mechanizmów konkurencji rynkowej przy wykorzystaniu dostępnych narzędzi prawnych i ekonomicznych. Rolę regulatora należy określić, jako zamiennika rynku konkurencyjnego. Połączenie wskazanych powyżej zadań jest trudne, ale możliwe, przy zachowaniu niezależności regulatora oraz nadaniu i zagwarantowaniu mu uprawnień umożliwiających, m.in. kontrolę nad gospodarką finansową spółek jednoosobowych Skarbu Państwa lub podmiotów państwowych działających w branży dystrybucji energetycznej. Niniejszy tekst ma na celu przedstawienie zależności między rozmaitymi formami aktywności organów regulacyjnych a podmiotami uczestniczącymi w rynku energii, w szczególności spółek zajmujących się dystrybucją energii elektrycznej. Autorzy wskazują, czym jest sama regulacja oraz kto wprowadza normy wiążące strony. Ponadto podejmują staranie przedstawienia czytelnikowi w przystępny sposób zagadnienia przychodu regulowanego oraz uwypuklenia w nim roli regulacji jakościowej. Istotą artykułu jest wykazanie formy i stopnia oddziaływania Regulatora na wyniki finansowe OSD.Electrical energy is a product intended for sale. However, it has a specific meaning that results in its importance for the public. The reason for this is the necessity of providinf the continuity of energy supply, which is crucial not only for the proper functioning of households, but in particular to ensure the safety of the country. In the current economical system – basing on the constitutional notion: the social market economy – competition is considered the best method to shape the market and relations existing within it. There is no doubt that there are sub-sectors of energy business where the „invisible hand of the market” do not allows to achieve its objectives and functions sufficiently. Therefore, it becomes necessary to introduce some active regulation mechanisms which could be effective substitutes for the competition. Regulator – the President of the Energy Regulatory Office – had been attributed with a number of tasks and competences. He is obliged to take care of the interest of the state in terms of energy entities which are owned by the State Treasury. At the same time he has to protect the final recipient of electricity from imposiong unreasonable charges for delivered product. However, the regulator cannot stand for a selected group of market participants. His function is to replace the mechanisms of market competition by using available legal and economic tools. The role of the regulator should be defined as a substitute for a competitive market. The combination of the abovemenioned tasks is difficult, but possible, while maintaining the independence of the regulator and granting and guaranteeing its powers allowing i.e. control of the financial management of entities solely owned by the State Treasury or public entities operating in the distribution of electricity. This article aims to show the relationship between different forms of activity of regulatory bodies and the entities involved in the energy market, in particular companies engaged in the distribution of energy. The authors point out what is regulation and who introduces the standards which bind the parties. In addition, they endeavor to present the issue of regulated revenue to the reader, and to emphasize the role of quality regulation. The essence of the article is to demonstrate the form and extent of Regulator influence on DSO financial results

Wpływ relacji społecznych na rozwój rolnictwa ekologicznego na przykładzie powiatu świdwińskiego

Subject and purpose of work: The article presents the role of social relations between organic farmers and organic farming environment (representatives of local government, non-governmental organizations) in the development of organic farming in the Świdwin County. The aim of the paper is to explore the role of local leader and social capital in the process of organic the farming development in selected geographical area. Materials and methods: The research is based on both the analysis of existing data and the results of the study (Individual In-depth Interviews - IDIs and Focus Group Interview - FGI) carried out in 2016 with organic farmers and organic farming stakeholders incl. representatives of local government and non-governmental organizations. Results: The study shows a positive correlation between high level of social capital and a strong sector of organic farming. The key significance is given to a local leader activity. Conclusions: The development of a close network of social relations between organic farmers, and between organic farmers and their environment (representatives of local government and non-governmental organizations) determines the development of a strong sector of organic farming in the area. An important condition for the organic farming development is also recognition of this type of resources by the local authorities.Przedmiot i cel pracy: Artykuł ukazuje wpływ relacji społecznych pomiędzy rolnikami prowadzącymi gospodarstwa ekologiczne i otoczeniem instytucjonalnym (przedstawicielami samorządu lokalnego, instytucji pozarządowych) na rozwój rolnictwa ekologicznego na terenie powiatu świdwińskiego. Celem jest ukazanie roli silnego lokalnego lidera oraz kapitału społecznego w rozwoju rolnictwa ekologicznego na wybranym obszarze. Materiały i metody: W opracowaniu wykorzystano zarówno dane zastane dotyczące badanego obszaru jak i wyniki badań własnych realizowanych w 2016 roku (indywidualnych wywiadów pogłębionych – ang. IDI, oraz grupowego wywiadu zogniskowanego – ang. FGI) z rolnikami prowadzącymi gospodarstwa ekologiczne oraz z przedstawicielami samorządu i instytucji pozarządowych. Wyniki: Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że istnieje pozytywna korelacja pomiędzy wysokim kapitałem społecznym a silnym sektorem rolnictwa ekologicznego. Duże znaczenie odgrywa lider lokalny. Wnioski: Wypracowanie gęstej sieci relacji społecznych pomiędzy rolnikami prowadzącymi gospodarstwa ekologiczne, a także rolnikami i przedstawicielami władz samorządowych i instytucji pozarządowych warunkuje rozwój silnego sektora rolnictwa ekologicznego na danym terenie. Ważnym warunkiem rozwoju rolnictwa ekologicznego jest również dostrzeżenie i docenienie tego typu zasobu przez lokalne władze

The modification of the raceway profile in the double row slewing bearing

The slewing bearings are applied in heavy working machines and operated in extreme conditions. A characteristic feature of these bearings are a high load which determining a large deflection of a contact zone rolling element - raceway. This phenomenon combined with the effects of a bearing clearance causes a significant increase in a contact angle of the bearing. This in turn causes displacement of the contact zone to an undesirable position. In the construction of slewing bearing is applied of a large value of the osculation ratio. This leads to occur of large sizes of the contact zone identified in a radial cross-section. The sizes are comparable to values of the radius of the ball. The contact zone is type of quasi-linear. Effects of changes the position of the contact zone in the double-row ball slewing bearing has been presented in the paper. The raceway profile for such bearing consists of the arc section changing in the radial section. When the contact zone includes a change point of curvature of the raceway profile it comes to a concentration of a contact stress, and this is unfavourable for operation of the bearing. In order to eliminate this phenomenon to the profile introduced a transition curve. For this purpose was selected a clothoid. The curve ensures a gradual change of curvature from the arc section of the profile to the zero curvature of the straight profile section. The raceway profile becomes the smooth curve of the second rank. In the article are presented a numerical model of the contact zone for the double-row ball slewing bearing and the distributions of a pressure in the contact zone for the ordinary and modified raceway profiles. The calculation results have been presented as graphs of the distributions of the pressure along the contact zone. It has been shown that the introduction modification of the raceway profile eliminates the concentration of the pressure along the contact zone profile. The results obtained can be used during design of the raceway profiles of the double-row ball slewing bearing

THE EFFECT OF MEDICAGO SPP. ON GROWTH OF TRICHOPHYTON MENTAGROPHYTES IN MICROCULTURE

The study aimed at assessing effect of dried root and aerial parts of Medicago spp. on growth of Trichophtyton mentagrophytes. Fungus strains were inoculated onto microcultures with Sabouraud agar supplemented each with l g of dried and pulverised roots or aerial parts of 3 species: Medicago arabica, M. sativa, and M. murex. The strongest inhibitory effect on T. mentagrophytes growth was that of aerial parts of M. arabica (median diameter 6 mm compared to 13 mm of control), followed by root of M. arabica (10 mm) and root of M. murex (10.5 mm) - in all cases p < 0.001. Slight inhibitory effect was also found in the case of aerial parts of M. murex (median diameter 12 mm, p = 0.03). In contrast, M. sativa has shown stimulating effect on growth of T. mentagrophytes (15 mm for root and 16.5 mm for aerial part, p < 0.001)

Cine dyscontractility index: a novel marker of mechanical dyssynchrony that predicts response to cardiac resynchronization therapy

To investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cine-derived dyssynchrony indices provide additional information compared to conventional tagged MRI (tMRI) acquisitions in heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Patients scheduled for CRT (n = 52) underwent preprocedure MRI including cine and tMRI acquisitions. Segmental strain curves were calculated for both cine and tMRI to produce a range of standard indices for direct comparison between modalities. We also proposed and evaluated a novel index of "dyscontractility," which detects the presence of focal areas with paradoxically positive circumferential strain. Across conventional strain indices, there was only moderate-to-poor (R = 0.3-0.6) correlation between modalities; eight cine-derived indices showed statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05) relations to CRT outcome compared to just two tMRI-based counterparts. The novel dyscontractility index calculated on basal slice cine images (cine dyscontractility index, "CDI") was the single best predictor of clinical response to CRT (area under the curve AUC = 0.81, P &lt; 0.001). While poorly correlated to its tMRI counterpart (R = 0.33), CDI performed significantly better in predicting response to CRT (P &lt; 0.005), and was also numerically better than all other tMRI indices (AUC 0.53-0.76, all P for AUC comparisons &lt;0.17). Cine-derived strain indices offer potentially new information compared to tMRI. Specifically, the novel CDI is most strongly linked to response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in a contemporary patient cohort. It utilizes readily available MRI data, is relatively straightforward to process, and compares favorably with any conventional tagging index