Female unemployment trends in rural areas of Poland in 2008-2012

This paper, firstly, identifies the scale and spatial differentiation of registered female unemployment in rural areas of Poland, defined according to the new Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) classification of LAU2 regions used in the European Union (EU) for the Labour Force Survey, since the onset of the global economic crisis, and secondly, investigates the reasons for the occurrence of very high female unemployment rates that are either stable or increasing and very high gender gaps in unemployment rates. Quantitative analysis identified 27 rural communes in Poland affected by such problems. Most are situated in the north and several in the south-east of the country, mainly in post-state-owned farming areas. The results of semi-structured telephone interviews with representatives of local authorities of nine of those communes indicate that despite the different locations and different types of LAU2 regions, female unemployment is caused by similar factors: liquidation of state-owned farms not followed by any new job opportunities, peripheral location not attractive for external (out-of-commune) investors, lack of entrepreneurial skills, experience and finance to start own businesses, low income or poverty of inhabitants significantly limiting the purchase of goods and services, thus limiting the demand that could be met by local SMEs, and finally liquidation of enterprises, quite often the only employers in the commune. The problem of female unemployment cannot be solved by local authorities as they lack sufficient legal and financial resources, and needs to be addressed by both the government and the EU within actions of the Europe 2020 Strategy

Multi-Objective Control-Structures Optimization Via Homotopy Methods

A recently developed active set algorithm for tracking parametrized optima is adapted to multi-objective optimization. The algorithm traces a path of Kuhn-Tucker points using homotopy curve tracking techniques, and is based on identifying and maintaining the set of active constraints. Second order necessary optimality conditions are used to determine nonoptimal stationary points on the path. In the bi-objective optimization case the algoritm is used to trace the curve efficient solutions (Pareto optima). As an example, the algorithm is applied to the simultaneous minimization of the weight and control force of a ten-bar truss with two collocated sensors and actuators, with some interesting results

Graham-Little Syndrome — a rare entity of both scarring and non-scarring alopecia concomitance

Graham Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome also called in a shorter form as Graham-Little syndrome, is a rare clinical entity characterized by the symptomatic triad including multifocal progressive cicatricial alopecia on the scalp, non-scarring hair loss of axillae and pubic areas and presence of keratosis pilaris-like eruption on the trunk and extremities. The etiology of the disease remains unknown with some hypotheses proposed. The condition is diagnosed based on clinical presentation, trichoscopical characteristic findings and histopathological analysis. The treatment of the syndrome is challenging. The therapeutic strategy includes topical or systemic corticosteroids, retinoids and PUVA therapy with different efficacy. We present the case of this rare syndrome and discuss it from the practical point of view in terms of diagnosis and treatment approach.Graham Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome also called in a shorter form as Graham-Little syndrome, is a rare clinical entity characterized by the symptomatic triad including multifocal progressive cicatricial alopecia on the scalp, non-scarring hair loss of axillae and pubic areas and presence of keratosis pilaris-like eruption on the trunk and extremities. The etiology of the disease remains unknown with some hypotheses proposed. The condition is diagnosed based on clinical presentation, trichoscopical characteristic findings and histopathological analysis. The treatment of the syndrome is challenging. The therapeutic strategy includes topical or systemic corticosteroids, retinoids and PUVA therapy with different efficacy. We present the case of this rare syndrome and discuss it from the practical point of view in terms of diagnosis and treatment approach

Tracing the Efficient Curve for Multi-objective Control-Structure Optimization

A recently developed active set algorithm for tracing parametrized optima is adapted to multi-objective optimization. The algorithm traces a path of Kuhn-Tucker points using homotopy curve tracking techniques, and is based on identifying and maintaining the set of active constraints. Second order necessary optimality conditions are used to determine nonoptimal stationary points on the path. In the bi-objective optimization case the algorithm is used to trace the curve of efficient solutions (Pareto optima). As an example, the algorithm is applied to the simultaneous minimization of the weight and control force of a ten-bar truss with two collocated sensors and actuators, with some interesting results

An Active Set Algorithm for Tracing Parametrized Optima

Optimization problems often depend on parameters that define constraints or objective functions. It is often necessary to know the effect of a change in a parameter on the optimum solution. An algorithm is presented here for tracking paths of optimal solutions of inequality constrained nonlinear programming problems as a function of a parameter. The proposed algorithm employs homotopy zero-curve tracing tecnniques to track segments where the set of active constraints is unchanged. The transition between segments is handled by considering all possible sets of active constraints and eliminating nonoptimal ones based on the signs of the Lagrange multipliers and the derivatives of the optimal solutions with respect to the parameter

Diatom indices in the biological assessment of the water quality based on the example of a small lowland river

The aim of the study was to compare the biological analyzes of the Linda River (Central Poland), which were based on three diatom indices: IO, GDI and IPS in order to select the best diatom index for the biological assessment of the lotic water quality. Additionally, the summary of the selected results of the biological and chemical analyzes was presented to show how precise the biological analyzes are as a basic tool in the assessment of the ecological status of the lotic waters. The results showed that each of the indices assessed the water in the Linda River to a specific but different quality class. The IO index showed class II of the water quality, while the IPS and GDI — class III. Statistical analysis conducted with the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples (Kruskal, Wallis 1952) showed that differences in the values of individual indices at different sites were not statistically significant. It should be noticed that the IPS and GDI indices gave values that classify the water in the Linda River at least one class below. The obtained results confirmed that the biological methods are most reliable in the assessment of the water quality. These methods are less sensitive to a single impact of the environmental factors, therefore they permit accurate determination of the ecological status of the water ecosystems

The influence of soybean extract on the expression level of selected drug transporters, transcription factors and cytochrome P450 genes encoding phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes

Objective: Soybean phytoestrogens, such as genistein and daidzein, reduce climacteric symptoms and the risk of certain chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Despite their widespread use in functional foods and dietary supplements, there is very little data available on their safety and herb-drug interactions, especially with antineoplastic agents. Hence, the aim of our study was to assess the effects of soybean extracts on the expression level of CYP genes and their transcriptional factors. We also investigated the effect of soybean on the mRNA level of transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP1, MRP2). Materials and methods: Wistar rats were fed a standardized soybean extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.). cDNA was synthesized from total RNA isolated from different tissues (liver and intestinal epithelium) using reverse transcription. Gene expression level was analyzed by RT-PCR method. Results: We demonstrated a significant increase of CYP1A1 mRNA level (by 89%, p=0.002 and 125%, p=0.004) as compared with the control group. An increase of AHR and CAR expression after 10 days was also observed (by 60%, p0.05, respectively). Additionally, an inductive effect for CYP2D1 by 22% (p=0.008), Mdr1a by 267% (

Modern alternative or first-line treatment: How to safely use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Diabetic Foot Syndrome?

Clinical experience and basic science studies show that Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a promising yet still under-used treatment method for patients with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS). Despite its advantages, it may carry the risk of serious side effects if the indications and contraindications are not strictly observed. The aim of this article is to discuss myths and facts about NPWT in conditions such as: inadequate blood supply, insufficient wound debridement, osteomyelitis or the necessity to monitor laboratory parameters during the therapy. We will try to define the optimal conditions for NPWT in order to obtain better results and eliminate the risk of side effects

Screening for impact of popular herbs improving mental abilities on the transcriptional level of brain transporters

There are a number of compounds that can modify the activity of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natural and synthetic substances on the expression level of genes encoding transporters present in the BBB (mdr1a, mdr1b, mrp1, mrp2, oatp1a4, oatp1a5 and oatp1c1). Our results showed that verapamil caused the greatest reduction in the mRNA level while other synthetic (piracetam, phenobarbital) and natural (codeine, cyclosporine A, quercetin) substances showed a selective inhibitory effect. Moreover, extract from roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer exhibited a decrease of transcription against selected transporters whereas extract from Ginkgo biloba L. leaves resulted in an increase of the expression level of tested genes except for mrp2. Extract from aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L. was the only one to cause an increased mRNA level for mdr1 and oatp1c1. These findings suggest that herbs can play an important role in overcoming the BBB and multidrug resistance against pharmacotherapy of brain cancer and mental disorders, based on the activity of selected drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters located in the BBB

Effect of Epilobium angustifolium and Serenoa repens extracts on regulation of non-genomic signaling pathway of kinases

Objectives: Changes of kinase activity of non-genomic cellular signaling pathway may influence the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in case of hormone-dependent tumors. Our study investigated a possible interaction at the molecular level between an aqueous herbal extract of Epilobium angustifolium as well as a lipid-sterolic fruit extract of Serenoa repens and synthetic drugs used in the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers. Material and methods: E. angustifolium and Serenoa repens extracts were orally administered to testosteroneinduced rats for 21 days. Changes of RafA/Mapk3/Mapk1 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR using target specific primers. Results: The level of RafA mRNA slightly increased in rats receiving Epilobium angustifolium (p=0.076) and Serenoa repens (p=0.016) extracts. Administration of these extracts resulted in significantly elevated Mapk1 and Mapk3 transcripts in the investigated animals (