Dream-enactment behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international COVID-19 sleep study

There has been increasing concern about the long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as evidenced by anecdotal case reports of acute-onset parkinsonism and the polysomnographic feature of increased rapid eye movement sleep electromyographic activity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of dream-enactment behaviours, a hallmark of rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, which is a prodrome of α-synucleinopathy. This online survey was conducted between May and August 2020 in 15 countries/regions targeting adult participants (aged ≥18 years) from the general population with a harmonised structured questionnaire on sleep patterns and disorders, COVID-19 diagnosis and symptoms. We assessed dream-enactment behaviours using the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder Single-Question Screen with an additional question on their frequency. Among 26,539 respondents, 21,870 (82.2%) answered all items that were analysed in this study (mean [SD] age 41.6 [15.8] years; female sex 65.5%). The weighted prevalence of lifetime and weekly dream-enactment behaviours was 19.4% and 3.1% and were found to be 1.8- and 2.9-times higher in COVID-19-positive cases, respectively. Both lifetime and weekly dream-enactment behaviours were associated with young age, male sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, higher physical activity level, nightmares, COVID-19 diagnosis, olfactory impairment, obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, mood, and post-traumatic stress disorder features. Among COVID-19-positive cases, weekly dream-enactment behaviours were positively associated with the severity of COVID-19. Dream-enactment behaviours are common among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic and further increase among patients with COVID-19. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential neurodegenerative effect of COVID-19

Non-Linear Elasticity of Extracellular Matrices Enables Contractile Cells to Communicate Local Position and Orientation

Most tissue cells grown in sparse cultures on linearly elastic substrates typically display a small, round phenotype on soft substrates and become increasingly spread as the modulus of the substrate increases until their spread area reaches a maximum value. As cell density increases, individual cells retain the same stiffness-dependent differences unless they are very close or in molecular contact. On nonlinear strain-stiffening fibrin gels, the same cell types become maximally spread even when the low strain elastic modulus would predict a round morphology, and cells are influenced by the presence of neighbors hundreds of microns away. Time lapse microscopy reveals that fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells on fibrin deform the substrate by several microns up to five cell lengths away from their plasma membrane through a force limited mechanism. Atomic force microscopy and rheology confirm that these strains locally and globally stiffen the gel, depending on cell density, and this effect leads to long distance cell-cell communication and alignment. Thus cells are acutely responsive to the nonlinear elasticity of their substrates and can manipulate this rheological property to induce patterning

Interaction between acrylic substrates and RAD16-I peptide in its self-assembling

[EN] Self-assembling peptides (SAP) are widely used as scaffolds themselves, and recently as fillers of microporous scaffolds, where the former provides a cell-friendly nanoenvironment and the latter improves its mechanical properties. The characterization of the interaction between these short peptides and the scaffold material is crucial to assess the potential of such a combined system. In this work, the interaction between poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) and 90/10 ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer P(EAcoAAc) with the SAP RAD16-I has been followed using a bidimensional simplified model. By means of the techniques of choice (congo red staining, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements) the interaction and self-assembly of the peptide has proven to be very sensitive to the wettability and electro-negativity of the polymeric substrate.The authors acknowledge funding through the European Commission FP7 project RECATABI (NMP3-SL-2009-229239), and from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion through projects MAT2011-28791-C03-02 and -03. This work was also supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion through M. Arnal-Pastor FPU 2009-1870 grant. The authors acknowledge the assistance and advice of Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV.Arnal Pastor, MP.; González-Mora, D.; García-Torres, F.; Monleón Pradas, M.; Vallés Lluch, A. (2016). Interaction between acrylic substrates and RAD16-I peptide in its self-assembling. 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Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2013:6961–6964Soler-Botija C, Bagó JR, Llucià-Valldeperas A, Vallés-Lluch A, Castells-Sala C, Martínez-Ramos C, Fernández-Muiños T, Chachques JC, Monleón Pradas M, Semino CE, Bayes-Genis A (2014) Engineered 3D bioimplants using elastomeric scaffold, self-assembling peptide hydrogel, and adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells for cardiac regeneration. Am J Transl Res 6(3):291–301Martínez-Ramos M, Arnal-Pastor M, Vallés-Lluch A, Monleón Pradas M (2015) Peptide gel in a scaffold as a composite matrix for endothelial cells. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 103 A:3293–3302Rico P, Rodríguez Hernández JC, Moratal D, Altankov G, Monleón Pradas M, Salmerón-Sánchez M (2009) Substrate-induced assembly of fibronectin into networks: influence of surface chemistry and effect on osteoblast adhesion. 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Proc Inst Mech Eng H J Eng Med 224:1487–1507Hartgerink JD, Beniash E, Stupp SI (2002) Peptide-amphiphile nanofibers: a versatile scaffold for the preparation of self-assembling materials. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99(8):5133–5138Busscher HJ, Vanpelt AWJ, Deboer P, Dejong HP, Arends J (1984) The effect of surface roughening of polymers on measured contact angles of liquids. Colloids Surf 9:319–331Birdi, KS. (1997) Surface tension of polymers. In: Yildrim Erbil H, ed. Handbook of surface and colloid chemistry CRC Press, Boca Raton, p. 292.Collier JH (2003) MessersmithPB.Enzymatic modification of self-assembled peptide structures with tissue transglutaminase. Bioconjug Chem 14(4):748–755Kakiuchi Y, Hirohashi N, Murakami-Murofushi K (2013) The macroscopic structure of RADA16 peptide hydrogel stimulates monocyte/macrophage differentiation in HL60 cells via cholesterol synthesis. 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Non-agricultural activity of the agricultural population

Zaprezentowano kwestie przedsiębiorczości podejmowanej przez ludność rolniczą. Problem przedstawiono w ujęciu ogółu gospodarstw rolnych, w których równolegle prowadzono pozarolniczą działalność gospodarczą. Następnie na przykładzie województwa wielkopolskiego przedstawiono aktywność ludności rolniczej w podejmowaniu działalności pozarolniczej w ramach PROW 2007-2013, w ramach działania ”Różnicowanie w kierunku działalności nierolniczej”. Z przeprowadzonej analizy wynika, że zjawisko zdywersyfikowania działalności gospodarczej w gospodarstwach rolnych pozostaje na niskim poziomie w kraju. Na przykładzie gospodarstw województwa wielkopolskiego można stwierdzić, że zdecydowana większość środków służy wsparciu przede wszystkim jednego rodzaju usług, mianowicie usług dla gospodarstw rolnych lub leśnictwa (2/3 ogółu projektów, 2/3 ogółu środków pieniężnych).The issues of entrepreneurship among agricultural population was discussed in the paper. The problem was presented in terms of the total number of farms, which were involved in non-agricultural activity at the same time. Then, the activity of agricultural population from Wielkopolska region in undertaking nonagricultural activities in the framework of the RDP 2007-2013, under the measure “Diversification into non-agricultural activities” was discussed. The analysis shows that the phenomenon of diversification of economic activities in agricultural farms is at the low level in the country. Based on the example of farms from Wielkopolska region we can say that the majority of the EU support is primarily allocated for one type of services, i.e. services for agricultural farms or forestry (2/3 of all projects, 2/3 of the total funds)

The economic situation and development trends of small farms

Celem badań było określenie sytuacji ekonomicznej oraz procesów zmian w gospodarstwach rolnych o małej wielkości ekonomicznej (do 25 tys. SO). Badania przeprowadzono w celowo dobranej grupie gospodarstw różniących się kierunkami produkcji i zasobami czynników produkcji. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że wsparcie środkami publicznymi nie jest wystarczające dla uzyskania nowych, lepszych możliwości rozwoju. W dłuższej perspektywie, zwłaszcza bardzo małe gospodarstwa są zagrożone zaprzestaniem prowadzenia lub ograniczeniem działalności rolniczej. Proces ten może stać się przesłanką do zainicjowania na większą skalę zmian w strukturze agrarnej polskiego rolnictwa.The paper aimed to present the economic situation in the farms of small economic size and the processes of changes in this group of households. As the materials used raw data from purposely selected farms in Wielkopolska. In the farms of economic size to 25 thousand euro EU subsidies play a leading role in shaping their economic situation. Unfortunately, even the large role of EU support can not be enough to change the economic situation of such households in order to gain a new and better opportunities for development. In the long term, especially very small farms, are threatened cessation of farming activities, which may be the advantage that in this way will be launched on a larger scale agrarian transformation process in Polish agriculture

Possibilities of the development of agro-tourism and rural tourism under the RDP 2007-2013 and 2014-2020

Porównano możliwości wsparcia przedsięwzięć turystycznych (agroturystyki i turystyki wiejskiej) w ramach programów rozwoju obszarów wiejskich w latach 2007-2013 i 2014-2020. Przedstawiono wybrane efekty wsparcia środkami unijnymi agroturystyki i turystyki wiejskiej głównie w ramach działań 311. „Różnicowanie w kierunku działalności nierolniczej” oraz 312. „Tworzenie i rozwój mikroprzedsiębiorstw”.The paper compares the possibilities of supporting tourism projects (agro-tourism and rural tourism) under the Rural Development Programs in 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. Moreover, selected effects of the EU support to agro-tourism and rural tourism were presented, mainly under the measures: 311. “Diversification into non-agricultural activities” and 312. “Creation and development of micro-enterprises”

Economic situation of rural farms in conditions of the EU CAP - an attempt of the forecast till 2013 year

Członkostwo Polski w Unii Europejskiej stwarza szanse poprawy sytuacji ekonomicznej w gospodarstwach rolnych. Czynnikami poprawy sytuacji ekonomicznej są między innymi dopłaty obszarowe oraz inne instrumenty Wspólnej Polityki Rolnej. Rezultatem unijnego wsparcia gospodarstw rolnych jest wzrost uzyskiwanej nadwyżki bezpośredniej oraz dochodów rolniczych. Wyniki wskazują jednak na silne zróżnicowanie sytuacji ekonomicznej w gospodarstwach rolnych w zależności od skali i kierunków produkcji. W konsekwencji w Polsce występują w dalszym ciągu licznie gospodarstwa rolne, w których sytuacja ekonomiczna zasadniczo się nie poprawiła, a dochody ludności rolniczej uzyskiwane z tej działalności są niewystarczające, by zapewnić standard życia na poziomie parytetowego funduszu konsumpcji.Poland’s membership in the EU gives rural farms chances to improve their economic situation. Direct payments and other instruments of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are the main factors determining the economical status of rural farms. Growth of gross margin, as well as agricultural revenues are the results of the EU support for the rural farms. However, strong differentiation of the economic situation of the rural farms according to their size and specialisation in production is noticed. As a result, there are still rural farms, in which economic situation has not change, and revenues of the agricultural population are not sufficient to assure them life standard on a par with the parity consumption fund

The role of Local Activity Group in supporting entrepreneurship at rural areas of warminsko-mazurskie region

W artykule główną uwagę skupiono na projektach wdrażanych w ramach Lokalnych Strategii Rozwoju służących wspieraniu przedsiębiorczości na obszarach wiejskich województwa warmińsko-mazurskiego. Badania w postaci wywiadu oraz analizy materiałów statystycznych przeprowadzono dla dwóch Lokalnych Grup Działania funkcjonujących w województwie warmińsko-mazurskim, dla których przygotowano Lokalną Strategię Rozwoju, tj. Lokalna Grupa Działania „Barcja” oraz Stowarzyszenie - Lokalna Grupa Działania „Łyna-Sajna”. Uzyskane rezultaty pokazały, że mnogość, wieloaspektowość celów oraz niewielkie środki finansowe jakimi dysponują LGD mogą spowodować, że realizacja podstawowych założeń Lokalnej Strategii Rozwoju będzie bardzo trudna. Ponadto, obecnie liczba złożonych projektów mających na celu wspieranie postaw przedsiębiorczych wśród mieszkańców zamieszkujących obszar funkcjonowania Lokalnej Grupy Działania jest wysoce niezadowalający.In the article the main attention was concentrated on the projects implemented within Local Development Strategy supporting entrepreneurship on the rural areas of warminsko-mazurskie region. The research includes interviews and analysis of statistical data was conductedon two Local Activity Group in warminsko-mazurskie region - "Barcja ” and "Łyna-Sajna ”. The research indicates that diversity, many strategy objectives and smallfinancial resources may cause difficulties with reaching the strategies goals. Also important is the fact that the number of projects which support the entrepreneurship attitudes within inhabitants of the Local Development Group has been highly unsatisfactory so far

Spatial diversity of obtaining EU funds for the modernization of agricultural holdings in the Wielkopolska province

Zaprezentowano ocenę aktywności rolników z województwa wielkopolskiego w pozyskiwaniu środków pomocowych UE na rozwój gospodarstw rolnych na przykładzie działania „Modernizacja gospodarstw rolnych”. Aktywność rolników w pozyskiwaniu środków na rozwój gospodarstw rolnych w ujęciu powiatowym jest zróżnicowana. Ważnym czynnikiem zróżnicowania aktywności rolników w pozyskiwaniu środków jest rozdrobnienie gospodarstw rolnych, bowiem implikuje ono zazwyczaj ich słabą siłę ekonomiczną i tym samym ogranicza możliwości dalszego rozwoju. Wprowadzenie możliwości zespołowego ubiegania się o wsparcie dla potencjalnych beneficjentów – rolników prowadzących mniejsze gospodarstwa rolne, może stanowić impuls rozwoju dla wielu gospodarstw rolnych w Polsce.The assessment of activity of farmers from Wielkopolska region in obtaining EU funds for agricultural development on the example of “Modernisation of agricultural holdings” measure was presented in the paper. Farmers activity in obtaining EU funds for agricultural development by district is varied. The fragmentation of agricultural holdings is an important factor for differentiation of farmers activity in obtaining EU funds, because it usually implies their weak economic power and thus limits the potential for further development. The implementation of collective opportunities to apply for support by potential beneficiaries (farmers from smaller farms) can encourage the development of many farms in Poland