Activation volume of selected liquid crystals in the density scaling regime

In this paper, we demonstrate and thoroughly analyze the activation volumetric properties of selected liquid crystals in the nematic and crystalline E phases in comparison with those reported for glass-forming liquids. In the analysis, we have employed and evaluated two entropic models (based on either total or configurational entropies) to describe the longitudinal relaxation times of the liquid crystals in the density scaling regime. In this study, we have also exploited two equations of state: volumetric and activation volumetric ones. As a result, we have established that the activation volumetric properties of the selected liquid crystals are quite opposite to such typical properties of glass-forming materials, i.e., the activation volume decreases and the isothermal bulk modulus increases when a liquid crystal is isothermally compressed. Using the model based on the configurational entropy, we suggest that the increasing pressure dependences of the activation volume in isothermal conditions and the negative curvature of the pressure dependences of isothermal longitudinal relaxation times can be related to the formation of antiparallel doublets in the examined liquid crystals. A similar pressure effect on relaxation dynamics may be also observed for other material groups in case of systems, the molecules of which form some supramolecular structures

Gain-of-Function Mutations R249C and S250C in Complement C2 Protein Increase C3 Deposition in the Presence of C-Reactive Protein

The impairment of the alternative complement pathway contributes to rare kidney diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). We recently described an aHUS patient carrying an exceptional gain-of-function (GoF) mutation (S250C) in the classical complement pathway component C2 leading to the formation of hyperactive classical convertases. We now report the identification of the same mutation and another C2 GoF mutation R249C in two other patients with a glomerulopathy of uncertain etiology. Both mutations stabilize the classical C3 convertases by a similar mechanism. The presence of R249C and S250C variants in serum increases complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) in antibody-sensitized human cells and elevates deposition of C3 on ELISA plates coated with C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as on the surface of glomerular endothelial cells. Our data justify the inclusion of classical pathway genes in the genetic analysis of patients suspected of complement-driven renal disorders. Also, we point out CRP as a potential antibody-independent trigger capable of driving excessive complement activation in carriers of the GoF mutations in complement C2

Studies of the three-nucleon system dynamics in the deuteron-proton breakup reaction

One of the most important goals of modern nuclear physics is to contruct nuclear force model which properly describes the experimental data. To develop and test predictions of current models the breakup $^{1}H\left ( \vec{d}, pp \right )n$ reaction was investigated experimentally at 100 and 130 MeV deuteron beam energies. Rich set of data for cross section, vector and tensor analyzing powers was obtained with the use of the SALAD and BINA detectors at KVI and Germanium Wall setup at FZ-Jülich. Results are compared with various theoretical approaches which describe the three-nucleon (3N) system dynamics. For correct description of the cross section data both, three-nucleon force (3NF) and Coulomb force, have to be included into calculations and influence of those ingredients is seizable at specific parts of the phase space. In case of the vector analyzing powers very low sensitivity to any effects beyond nucleon-nucleon interaction was found. At 130 MeV, the $A_{xy}$ data are not correctly described when 3NF models are included into calculations

Radon intercomparison tests – Katowice, 2016

At the beginning of the year 2016, the representatives of the Polish Radon Centre decided to organize profi ciency tests (PTs) for measurements of radon gas and radon decay products in the air, involving radon monitors and laboratory passive techniques. The Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity of the Central Mining Institute (GIG), Katowice, became responsible for the organization of the PT exercises. The main reason to choose that location was the radon chamber in GIG with a volume of 17 m3, the biggest one in Poland. Accordingly, 13 participants from Poland plus one participant from Germany expressed their interest. The participants were invited to inform the organizers about what types of monitors and methods they would like to check during the tests. On this basis, the GIG team prepared the proposal for the schedule of exercises, such as the required level(s) of radon concentrations, the number and periods of tests, proposed potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC) levels and also the overall period of PT. The PT activity was performed between 6th and 17th June 2016. After assessment of the results, the agreement between radon monitors and other measurement methods was confi rmed. In the case of PAEC monitors and methods of measurements, the results of PT exercises were consistent and confi rmed the accuracy of the calibration procedures used by the participants. The results of the PAEC PTs will be published elsewhere; in this paper, only the results of radon intercomparison are described

ZMIANY W ZUŻYCIU ŚRODKÓW OCHRONY ROŚLIN W POLSCE I ICH ASPEKTY EKONOMICZNE

The paper is prepared to analyze their usage in Poland in 2005-2012. In that term the steady increase was observed. For agriculture the plant protection means are among the most important production means. The sales of the imported means of plant protection was on the increase, though, there was the decline in sales of domestic means .The increase was noticeable in almost every means of plant protection use. Furthermore, the highest increase in use of herbicides and insecticides was observed. According to Polish farmers the means of plant protection are expensive in Poland. However, the recent growth in their prices is not too high. The improvement of relation of their prices to agricultural products ones in 2010-2012 was held up as the result of the growth of some agricultural products prices

Changes in utilization of agricultural land in Poland

The area of agriculturally utilized land, arable area and agricultural area structure with structure of cropland in Poland in 1938-2007 are described in the paper. Furthermore, changes which have occurred during that time in the utilization of arable land and their causes are analysed. With application the Kopeć’s method, the intensity of management of agricultural production rate was calculated. Finally, the level of intensity was determined