Filesystems performance in GNU/Linux multi-disc data storage

This paper introduces research results of I/O performance for modern filesystems configured on multi-disk storage configuration in GNU/Linux operating system. Filesystem performance tests include basic file operations statistics depending on local disks management software RAID or logical volume manager LVM. The results allow to choose the appropriate filesystem to data storage space configuration in GNU/Linux, that provides bests performance

Cerebral vasomotor reactivity in neurodegenerative diseases

Small-caliber cerebral vessels change their diameters in response to alterations of key metabolite concentrations such as carbon dioxide or oxygen. This phenomenon, termed the cerebral vasomotor reactivity (CVMR), is the basis for blood flow regulation in the brain in accordance with its metabolic status. Typically, CVMR is determined as the amount of change in cerebral blood flow in response to a vasodilating stimulus, which can be measured by various neuroimaging methods or by transcranial Doppler. It has been shown that CVMR is impaired in cerebrovascular diseases, but there is also evidence of a similar dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we review studies that have investigated CVMR in the common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, we discuss potential neurodegenerative mechanisms responsible for the impairment of CVMR

Spatial prediction of demersal fish diversity in the Baltic Sea: comparison of machine learning and regression-based techniques

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is considered a valuable tool in the ecosystem-based management of marine areas. Predictive modelling may be applied in the MSP framework to obtain spatially explicit information about biodiversity patterns. The growing number of statistical approaches used for this purpose implies the urgent need for comparisons between different predictive techniques. In this study, we evaluated the performance of selected machine learning and regression-based methods that were applied for modelling fish community indices. We hypothesized that habitat features can influence fish assemblage and investigated the effect of environmental gradients on demersal fish diversity (species richness and Shannon–Weaver Index). We used fish data from the Baltic International Trawl Surveys (2001–2014) and maps of six potential predictors: bottom salinity, depth, seabed slope, growth season bottom temperature, seabed sediments and annual mean bottom current velocity. We compared the performance of six alternative modelling approaches: generalized linear models, generalized additive models, multivariate adaptive regression splines, support vector machines, boosted regression trees and random forests. We applied repeated 10-fold cross-validation, using accuracy as the measure of model quality. Finally, we selected random forest as the best performing algorithm and implemented it for the spatial prediction of fish diversity from the Baltic Proper to the Kattegat. To obtain information on the data reliability and confidence of the developed models, which are essential for MSP, we estimated the uncertainty of predictions with standard deviation of predictions obtained from all the trees in the ensemble random forest method. We showed how state-of-the-art predictive techniques, based on easily available data and simple Geographic Information System tools, can be used to obtain reliable spatial information about fish diversity. Our comparative work highlighted the potential of machine learning method to reduce prediction error in modelling of demersal fish diversity in the framework of MSP

Substantial disease exacerbation in a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis after withdrawal from siponimod

Among patients with multiple sclerosis, discontinuing highly effective disease-modifying treatments can potentially lead to severe disease recurrence, especially cessation of natalizumab and fingolimod. Similar to fingolimod, siponimod is a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator that inhibits the egress of a lymphocyte subpopulation from lymph nodes. In the present case report, we describe a patient with MS who experienced substantial disease exacerbation after withdrawal from siponimod

Utilization of energy crops and sewage sludge in the process of co-gasification for sustainable hydrogen production

The increasing world energy demand driven by economic growth and technical development contributes to the severe depletion of conventional energy resources and various environmental issues. The need for the employment of low-emission, highly efficient technologies of thermochemical conversion, flexible in terms of both raw resources and product applications is declared, when the utilization of solid, alternative fuels is considered. Gasification is the proven technology of lower unit emission of contaminants and higher efficiency than combustion systems, as well as versatile applicability of the synthesis gas, as its main product. While the conversion of fossil fuels in gasification systems is technically mature, the co-utilization of biomass and waste still requires research and optimization in various technical and economic aspects. In this paper, the results of experimental work on co-gasification of energy crops biomass and sewage sludge with steam to produce hydrogen-rich gas are presented. The process is performed at 700, 800 and 900°C under atmospheric pressure. The experimental results are analyzed with the application of the Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. The optimal results in terms of hydrogen production in co-gasification of selected biomass and sewage sludge are observed for Helianthus tuberosus L. blends of 10% w/w of sewage sludge content at 900°C

Relativistic ideal Fermi gas at zero temperature and preferred frame

We discuss the limit T->0 of the relativistic ideal Fermi gas of luxons (particles moving with the speed of light) and tachyons (hypothetical particles faster than light) based on observations of our recent paper: K. Kowalski, J. Rembielinski and K.A. Smolinski, Phys. Rev. D, 76, 045018 (2007). For bradyons this limit is in fact the nonrelativistic one and therefore it is not studied herein

Severe disease exacerbations in patients with multiple sclerosis after discontinuing fingolimod

Discontinuation of fingolimod in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can lead to disease reactivation. In this review, we describe cases of severe exacerbations in patients with MS following discontinuation of fingolimod, including three cases from our center. We consider potential mechanisms of disease reactivation after cessation of fingolimod, and the evidence supporting this rebound effect. We conclude that discontinuation of fingolimod results in the return of disease activity, which then leads to severe exacerbations (i.e., rebounds) in a clinically significant proportion of patients. Lastly, we consider disease-modifying treatment options for patients who discontinue fingolimod

Chemometric study of the sinter mixtures used in sinter plants in Poland

The main goal of the study was the analysis of chemical parameters of sinter mixtures used in sinter plants in Poland. For this purpose the chemometric method was used, in this case hierarchical clustering analysis. This method allowed to examine the similarities and differences between the studied sinter mixtures

Akta oddziału ii sztabu Głównego Wojska polskiego jako źródło do poznania dziejów sowieckiej Ukrainy z lat 1921-1939

Ризький мир 1921 р. став формальним актом закінчення війни між Польщею та Радянською Росією. Однак, на зміну збройному протистоянню прийшло суперництво ідеологічне. Польща розглядалася московськими правителями як класовий ворог. У свою чергу Друга Річ Посполита зіткнулася з низкою труднощів, характерних для відновленої держави.Рижский мир 1921 г. стал формальным актом окончания войны между Польшей и Советской Россией. Однако, на смену вооруженному противостоянию пришло идеологическое соперничество. Польша рассматривалась московскими правителями как классовый враг. В свою очередь Вторая Речь Посполитая столкнулась с рядом трудностей, характерных для возрожденного государства.The Peace of Riga in 1921, also known as the Treaty of Riga, was the formal act ended the Polish-Soviet War. However, ideological rivalry came in the stead of armed confrontation. Poland was considered by Moscow authorities as a class enemy. In turn, Second Polish Republic was faced with a number of difficulties typical to the restored state