A Qualitative Approach to Trade Credit in Business Organisations

The aim of the paper is to present, in the cognitive aspect, the opinions, judgements and notions of entrepreneurs regarding financing of the current activity of enterprises with trade credit. The nature of the research problem determines the adoption of qualitative research as a research basis, in which direct interview with entrepreneurs has been used. These entrepreneurs, in transaction processes, represent both credit recipients as well as credit donors. Interviews were conducted in 2015, on a sample of 147 manufacturing companies of different nature and different business domain. The paper presents both positive, as well as negative aspects related to the use of trade credit. The possibility to purchase without having financial means, improving financial liquidity and production productivity; increase in revenue and competitive position and general use, open access and cheapness are particularly important in the first approach. Payment gridlock and high risk of activity, as well as increase in the cost in business activity were indicated in negative terms. Value - the authors try, through the prism of empirical research, to show and estimate positive and negative aspects of trade credit. This knowledge has a practical value as it could be used by other firms that implement or develop their trade credit policy

Wewnątrznaczyniowe leczenie tętniaków naczyń mózgowych przy użyciu spirali odczepianych hydraulicznie

Background: Authors analysed results of endovascular treatment using platinum hydraulically detachable coils in ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the presented method and safety of the treatment for patients with cerebral aneurysms. Material/Methods: Authors describe a clinical analysis in a group of 129 patients with 153 cerebral aneurysms treated with endovascular embolization in Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology of University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poland. 116 patients were hospitalized with a history of subarachnoidal hemorrhage, while 13 patients were without previous onset of bleeding. In bled group the clinical condition was assessed according to Hunt-Hess's scale. All patients were treated using Balt (MDS Pression) hydraulically detachable coils system. Based on angiographic examination results one evaluated the anatomical conditions of the aneurysm, its size, and relationship of the aneurysmal sac to its neck. Considering 116 patients with ruptured aneurysms, endovascular embolization within 72 hours was performed in 70 cases, in case of 46 patients the procedure was delayed. Results: Complete occlusion of the lumen of the aneurysmal sac was achieved in 126 (82.3%) patients, while incomplete occlusion in 27 (17.7%). The efficacy of embolization was connected with the size and morphology of the aneurysm, as well as the relationship of the neck to the aneurysmal sac. Complete embolization was obtained specially in case of small aneurysms and those with a narrow neck. Conclusions: Authors proof justness of transarterial embolisation as a highly effective first choice procedure of aneurismal sack exclusion from cerebral circulation

Plant communities in the lysimeter experiment of ash reclamation in the Dolna Odra Power Station in Nowe Czarnowo (Poland)

The aim of the study was to determine the type and origin of plant communities on an area of 4 lysimeters (35 m2 each) filed with ash and covered with two superlayers 12 years after the beginning of the experience. The paper presents the species of grasses sown in 2003, their sward participation then and the flrist status in 2015. Phytosociological records were taken using the Braun-Blanquet’s method, distinguished plant communities, the syngenesis of the recognized phytocoenoses was defied. The results allowed to determine the advantage of the ruderal synanthropic communities: Artemisio-Tanacetetum vulgaris Br-Bl. 1931 corr. 1949 (in L-2), Leonuro Ballotetum nigrae (in L-3), a community with Rubus caesius (in L-4) over the natural auxochoric Calamagrostietum epigeji Juraszek 1928 (in L-1). Their current state is referred to as a hull form. However, due to the presence of the expansive species characteristic of the above-mentioned communities, continued development can be expected towards fully developed phytocoenoses. The thesis founded about the inflence of the neighboring forest communities on the species composition of the vegetation of the subject has not been confimed. There were only three forest and scrub species with a negligible sward participation

Perinatal Manganese Exposure and Hydroxyl Radical Formation in Rat Brain

The present study was designed to investigate the role of pre- and postnatal manganese (Mn) exposure on hydroxyl radical (HO•) formation in the brains of dopamine (DA) partially denervated rats (Parkinsonian rats). Wistar rats were given tap water containing 10,000 ppm manganese chloride during the duration of pregnancy and until the time of weaning. Control rat dams consumed tap water without added Mn. Three days after birth, rats of both groups were treated with 6-hydroxydopamine at one of three doses (15, 30, or 67 µg, intraventricular on each side), or saline vehicle. We found that Mn content in the brain, kidney, liver, and bone was significantly elevated in dams exposed to Mn during pregnancy. In neonates, the major organs that accumulated Mn were the femoral bone and liver. However, Mn was not elevated in tissues in adulthood. To determine the possible effect on generation of the reactive species, HO• in Mn-induced neurotoxicity, we analyzed the contents of 2.3- and 2.5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (spin trap products of salicylate; HO• being an index of in vivo HO• generation), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes and glutathione S-transferase (GST). 6-OHDA-depletion of DA produced enhanced HO• formation in the brain tissue of newborn and adulthood rats that had been exposed to Mn, and the latter effect did not depend on the extent of DA denervation. Additionally, the extraneuronal, microdialysate, content of HO• in neostriatum was likewise elevated in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Interestingly, there was no difference in extraneuronal HO• formation in the neostriatum of Mn-exposed versus control rats. In summary, findings in this study indicate that Mn crosses the placenta but in contrast to other heavy metals, Mn is not deposited long term in tissues. Also, damage to the dopaminergic system acts as a “trigger mechanism,” initiating a cascade of adverse events leading to a protracted increase in HO• generation, and the effects of Mn and 6-OHDA are compounded. Moreover, HO• generation parallels the suppression of SOD isoenzymes and GST in the brains of rats lesioned with 6-OHDA and/or intoxicated with Mn—the most prominent impairments being in frontal cortex, striatum, and brain stem. In conclusion, ontogenetic Mn exposure, resulting in reactive oxygen species, HO• formation, represents a risk factor for dopaminergic neurotoxicity and development of neurodegenerative disorders

Unique properties of silver and copper silica-based nanocomposites as antimicrobial agents

The paper reports a new route for the fabrication and determination of physicochemical properties and biological activity, of metallic silica-based nanostructure (Ag/SiO2, Cu/SiO2). A research studies shows mono-dispersed nanoparticles in silica matrix with an average size of 12 nm for silver, as well as 12 nm and 4 nm, respectively for copper in hydrophobic and hydrophilic silica composites. The chemical analysis highlights metallic silver and copper ions heterogeneously distributed in the composite as well as metallic oxides such as Ag2O, Cu2O and CuO in hydrophobic system, and CuO in hydrophilic one. Structural research evidences the presence of amorphous, stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric crystalline phase of silica. Biological studies reveal potentially inhibition of growth gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as microscopic fungi. The size of metal nanoparticles and level of silica hydrophobicity show the highest inhibition bacterial growth for hydrophilic system with embedding inside them, 4 nm in size copper nanoparticles. Finally, cytotoxic interaction against human cells with respect to silver and copper silica-based nanocomposites was not found

Logical Relations for Monadic Types

Logical relations and their generalizations are a fundamental tool in proving properties of lambda-calculi, e.g., yielding sound principles for observational equivalence. We propose a natural notion of logical relations able to deal with the monadic types of Moggi's computational lambda-calculus. The treatment is categorical, and is based on notions of subsconing, mono factorization systems, and monad morphisms. Our approach has a number of interesting applications, including cases for lambda-calculi with non-determinism (where being in logical relation means being bisimilar), dynamic name creation, and probabilistic systems.Comment: 83 page

ARCHITECT STAT High Sensitive Troponin I Familiarization Study (FAM) in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Bydgoszcz, Poland

Background. International guidelines recommend the use of cardiac troponin assays for early detection of acute myocardial infarction. New high-sensitivity assays along with improved precision and sensitivity, are now widely available, accelerating patient’s diagnosis, treatment and invasive therapy. In this study we evaluated analytical performance of the Abbott ARCHITECT STAT high-sensitive troponin-I immunoassay and its 99th percentile upper reference limit. Methods. We performed the analytical evaluation of the hs-cTnI assay using Abbott ARCHITECT i2000SR immunoanalyzers. Features of the assay including imprecision, detection limits, linearity of dilution, interferences and method comparisons were assessed, as well as the 99th percentile upper reference limits in a cohort of 427 presumably healthy individuals were established. Results. Total imprecision ranged from 3.1% to 4.7% and was lowest for the medium controls. The observed limit of blank, limit of detection and limit of quantitation assumed values of 0.1, 1.5 and 4.8 ng/L, respectively. Common interferences, sample dilution and carry over did not affect the hs-cTnI results. Hs-cTnI was detectable in 98% of presumably healthy individuals. The 99th percentile values were age and sex dependent in the presumably healthy, but not in the healthy individuals. Conclusion. The new high-sensitivity troponin-I assay has improved analytical features and may be a valuable diagnostic tool.

Skuteczne usunięcie cewnika Swana-Ganza zapętlonego w prawej komorze serca. Opis przypadku

Invasive monitoring in anesthesia and cardiac surgery indispensablyaccompany complications of cardiac catheterization. Thepossibility of eliminating these complications and the ability tosolve the problems are the most important condition for successand value the cooperation between the anesthesiologist, cardiacsurgeron, radiological team and invasive cardiologists. In thispaper, we present a case of removal of a looped Swan-Ganzcatheter in the right ventricle around the papillary muscle usingintravascular manipulation.Powikłania cewnikowania serca nieodzownie towarzyszą monitorowaniu inwazyjnemu stosowanemu podczas anestezji u chorych kardiochirurgicznych. Możliwość eliminacji tychże powikłań, oraz umiejętność rozwiązania zaistniałych problemów są najistotniejszym warunkiem powodzenia i wartościują współpracę pomiędzy zespołem anestezjologicznym, kardiochirurgicznym, radiologicznym oraz kardiologów inwazyjnych. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiamy przypadek skutecznego usunięcia zapętlonego cewnika Swana Ganza w prawej komorze serca wokół mięśnia brodawkowatego za pomocą manipulacji wewnątrznaczyniowej. Słowa kluczowe: kardioanestezjologia, cewnik swana ganza, powikłania, funkcje poznawcz

Shifts in Female Facial Attractiveness during Pregnancy

It has been proposed that women’s physical attractiveness is a cue to temporal changes in fertility. If this is the case, we should observe shifts in attractiveness during pregnancy—a unique physiological state of temporal infertility. The aim of this study was to examine how women’s facial attractiveness changes during the subsequent trimesters of pregnancy and how it compares to that of nonpregnant women. Sixty-six pictures of pregnant women (22 pictures per trimester) and 22 of nonpregnant women (a control group) were used to generate four composite portraits, which were subsequently assessed for facial attractiveness by 117 heterosexual men. The results show considerable differences between facial attractiveness ratings depending on the status and progress of pregnancy. Nonpregnant women were perceived as the most attractive, and the attractiveness scores of pregnant women decreased throughout the course of pregnancy. Our findings show that facial attractiveness can be influenced by pregnancy and that gestation, even at its early stages, affects facial attractiveness. Considerable changes in women’s physiology that occur during pregnancy may be responsible for the observed effects

Evaluation of the Heart Function of Swimmers Subjected to Exhaustive Repetitive Endurance Efforts During a 500-km Relay

Aim: Knowledge of the human body’s ability to adapt to repeated endurance efforts during swimming is limited. We echocardiographically assessed the impact of an exhausting and repetitive swimming effort on cardiac activity.Materials: Fourteen well-trained amateur swimmers (8 female swimmers aged 16–43 years and 6 male swimmers aged 13–67 years old) participated in an ultramarathon relay. Over 5 days, swimmers swam 500 km in the Warta River (in 5-km intervals). Each swimmer swam seven intervals, each within 44:46 to 60:02 min. Objective difficulties included low water temperatures, strong winds, rain, and night conditions.Methods: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed three times: at baseline (the day before exertion), at peak effort, and during recovery (48 h after the event). The heart rate (HR) of each swimmer was monitored.Results: Swimmers completed the ultramarathon relay within approximately 91 h. The average HR value at the end of each interval was 91% HRmax. TTE test results showed no significant changes indicative of deterioration of myocardial function at peak effort or after 48 h. Significant increases in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LV fractional shortening (LVFS), LV myocardial systolic velocity, and right ventricular (RV) fractional area changes observed on day 2 after swimming were compared to baseline values and peak effort values. No significant changes in diastolic heart function were observed.Conclusion: Echocardiography assessment indicated that prolonged intense swimming does not affect LV or RV function. Supercompensation of the post-event RV function and increased global LV systolic function demonstrated ventricular interaction after prolonged intense swimming