Badania użyteczności systemów w instytucjach publicznych na przykładzie Ośrodka Przetwarzania Informacji – Państwowego Instytutu Badawczego

The article describes the specifics of usability research in public institutions on the example of work at the National Information Processing Institute. It describes the challenges faced by system creators, designers, and researchers. It presents methods of preparing and conducting usability tests (preparation, execution and further steps after researches). Characterization of systems created in the institute: POL-on, JSA shows specifics of working at the public systems and shares the insights from these researches. Based on the gathered information, the article proposes changes to improve the experience of systems’ users. It presents good practices that the creators may follow during the designing process, such as: naming, icons, charts, cohesion, searching, text editing and information architecture.W artykule opisano specyfikę badań użyteczności w instytucjach publicznych na przykładzie Ośrodka Przetwarzania Informacji – Państwowego Instytutu Badawczego. Przedstawiono wyzwania, przed jakimi stoją twórcy systemów, ich projektanci oraz badacze. Pokazano sposób realizacji badań użyteczności wraz z procesem przygotowania badań, ich realizacją i dalszymi krokami. Na przykładach systemów tworzonych w OPI PIB: POL-on, JSA omówiono sposób pracy w instytucie i przedstawiono spostrzeżenia z tych badań. W efekcie zebranych informacji zaproponowano zmiany potrzebne, aby poprawić doświadczenia docelowych użytkowników systemów. Wskazano dobre praktyki, którymi powinni kierować się twórcy, projektując poszczególne elementy: nazewnictwo, ikony, wykresy, spójność, wyszukiwanie, redakcja tekstów i planowanie architektury informacji

Experimental Data and Modelling of the Solubility of High-Carotenoid Paprika Extract in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The studies of solubility of the paprika extract with a high concentration of carotenoids in carbon dioxide under the pressure of 20–50 MPa and at temperatures of 313.15–333.15 K were carried out using the static method. The highest solubility of paprika extract was achieved at the temperature of 333.15 K and under the pressure of 50 MPa. The obtained experimental data were correlated with five density-based models, applied for prediction of solubility in the supercritical carbon dioxide (the Chrastil, del Valle and Aguilera, Adachi and Lu, Sparks et al. and Bian et al. models). The accuracy of particular models with reference to measurement results was specified with the average absolute relative deviation (AARD) and coefficient of determination (R2). Results showed that solubility calculated based on the selected models was compliant with experimental data

In vitro attenuation of astrocyte activation and neuroinflammation through ibuprofen-doping of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) formulations

Neuroinflammation is often associated with poor functional recovery and may contribute to or initiate the development of severe neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson\u27s disease or Alzheimer\u27s disease. Ibuprofen (IBU), being one of the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is known to possess neuroprotective activity and serve as a promising therapeutic for the treatment of neuroinflammation. In this study, the potential of an IBU-loaded poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) matrix has been assessed as a neural interface material with an aim to control astrocyte activation and suppress neuroinflammation in vitro. Three types of drug immobilization protocols were investigated, leading to the fabrication of IBU-loaded PEDOP matrices exhibiting a broad spectrum of electrical characteristics, drug release profiles, as well as biological responses. Among all investigated PEDOP formulations, PEDOP matrices formed through a three-step immobilization protocol exhibited the highest charge storage capacity (30 ± 1 mC/cm2) as well as a double layer capacitance of 645.0 ± 51.1 µF, associated with a relatively enlarged surface area. Demonstrating a total drug loading capacity of 150 µg/ml and a release rate constant of 0.15 1/h, this coating formulation may be employed as a safe electrical conducting drug eluting system.This publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of Science Foundation Ireland and is cofunded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant Number 13/RC/2073. This project has received funding from the European Union\u27s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 713690 and SFI Technology Innovation Development Programme, grant no.15/TIDA/2992. This work has been supported by the Polish National Science Centre in the framework of Sonata 2016/23/D/ST5/01306. The authors acknowledge the facilities and scientific and technical assistance of the Centre for Microscopy & Imaging at the National University of Ireland Galway, a facility that is funded by NUIG and the Irish Government\u27s Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycles 4 and 5, National Development Plan 2007-2013

In vitro attenuation of astrocyte activation and neuroinflammation through ibuprofen-doping of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) formulations

Neuroinflammation is often associated with poor functional recovery and may contribute to or initiate the development of severe neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease. Ibuprofen (IBU), being one of the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is known to possess neuroprotective activity and serve as a promising therapeutic for the treatment of neuroinflammation. In this study, the potential of an IBU-loaded poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) matrix has been assessed as a neural interface material with an aim to control astrocyte activation and suppress neuroinflammation in vitro. Three types of drug immobilization protocols were investigated, leading to the fabrication of IBU-loaded PEDOP matrices exhibiting a broad spectrum of electrical characteristics, drug release profiles, as well as biological responses. Among all investigated PEDOP formulations, PEDOP matrices formed through a three-step immobilization protocol exhibited the highest charge storage capacity (30 ± 1 mC/cm2) as well as a double layer capacitance of 645.0 ± 51.1 µF, associated with a relatively enlarged surface area. Demonstrating a total drug loading capacity of 150 µg/ml and a release rate constant of 0.15 1/h, this coating formulation may be employed as a safe electrical conducting drug eluting system.This publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of Science Foundation Ireland and is cofunded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant Number 13/RC/2073. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 713690 and SFI Technology Innovation Development Programme, grant no.15/TIDA/2992. This work has been supported by the Polish National Science Centre in the framework of Sonata 2016/23/D/ST5/01306. The authors acknowledge the facilities and scientific and technical assistance of the Centre for Microscopy & Imaging at the National University of Ireland Galway, a facility that is funded by NUIG and the Irish Government's Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycles 4 and 5, National Development Plan 2007-2013.peer-reviewe

The Usefulness of Urinary Periostin, Cytokeratin-18, and Endoglin for Diagnosing Renal Fibrosis in Children with Congenital Obstructive Nephropathy

Congenital obstructive nephropathy (CON) leads to renal fibrosis and chronic kidney disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of urinary endoglin, periostin, cytokeratin-18, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) for assessing the severity of renal fibrosis in 81 children with CON and 60 controls. Children were divided into three subgroups: severe, moderate scars, and borderline lesions based on 99mTc-ethylenedicysteine scintigraphy results. Periostin, periostin/Cr, and cytokeratin-18 levels were significantly higher in the study group compared to the controls. Children with severe scars had significantly higher urinary periostin/Cr levels than those with borderline lesions. In multivariate analysis, only periostin and cytokeratin-18 were independently related to the presence of severe and moderate scars, and periostin was independently related to borderline lesions. However, periostin did not differentiate advanced scars from borderline lesions. In ROC analysis, periostin and periostin/Cr demonstrated better diagnostic profiles for detection of advanced scars than TGF-β1 and cytokeratin-18 (AUC 0.849; 0.810 vs. 0.630; 0.611, respectively) and periostin for detecting borderline lesions than endoglin and periostin/Cr (AUC 0.777 vs. 0.661; 0.658, respectively). In conclusion, periostin seems to be a promising, non-invasive marker for assessing renal fibrosis in children with CON. CK-18 and TGF-β1 demonstrated low utility, and endoglin was not useful for diagnosing advanced scars

Significance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prophylaxis and Treatment after Spinal Cord Injury in Rodent Models

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 acids, PUFAs) are essential components of cell membranes in all mammals. A multifactorial beneficial influence of ω-3 fatty acids on the health of humans and other mammals has been observed for many years. Therefore, ω-3 fatty acids and their function in the prophylaxis and treatment of various pathologies have been subjected to numerous studies. Regarding the documented therapeutic influence of ω-3 fatty acids on the nervous and immune systems, the aim of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge and the critical assessment of the role of ω-3 fatty acids in the prophylaxis and treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodent models. The prophylactic properties (pre-SCI) include the stabilization of neuron cell membranes, the reduction of the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and KC/GRO/CINC), the improvement of local blood flow, reduced eicosanoid production, activation of protective intracellular transcription pathways (dependent on RXR, PPAR-α, Akt, and CREB), and increased concentration of lipids, glycogen, and oligosaccharides by neurons. On the other hand, the therapeutic properties (post-SCI) include the increased production of endogenous antioxidants such as carnosine and homocarnosine, the maintenance of elevated GSH concentrations at the site of injury, reduced concentrations of oxidative stress marker (MDA), autophagy improvement (via increasing the expression of LC3-II), and p38 MAPK expression reduction in the superficial dorsal horns (limiting the sensation of neuropathic pain). Paradoxically, despite the well-documented protective activity of ω-3 acids in rodents with SCI, the research does not offer an answer to the principal question of the optimal dose and treatment duration. Therefore, it is worth emphasizing the role of multicenter rodent studies with the implementation of standards which initially may even be based on arbitrary criteria. Additionally, basing on available research data, the authors of this paper make a careful attempt at referring some of the conclusions to the human population

The role of complement component C3 activation in the clinical presentation and prognosis of IgA nephropathy - a national study in children

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the intensity of mesangial C3 deposits in kidney biopsy and the serum C3 level on the clinical course and outcomes of IgAN in children. The study included 148 children from the Polish Pediatric IgAN Registry, diagnosed based on kidney biopsy. Proteinuria, creatinine, IgA, C3 were evaluated twice in the study group, at baseline and the end of follow-up. Kidney biopsy was categorized using the Oxford classification, with a calculation of the MEST-C score. The intensity of IgA and C3 deposits were rated from 0 to +4 in immunofluorescence microscopy. The intensity of mesangial C3 > +1 deposits in kidney biopsy has an effect on renal survival with normal GFR in children with IgAN. A reduced serum C3 level has not been a prognostic factor in children but perhaps this finding should be confirmed in a larger group of children

IgA vasculitis nephritis clinical course and kidney biopsy : national study in children

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of typical clinical symptoms, severity of histopathological lesions in kidney biopsies in IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) and to propose indications for kidney biopsy in children. Material and methods This retrospective study enrolled 106 patients, included in the IgAVN registry of Polish children, diagnosed by kidney biopsy. Renal and extrarenal symptoms at onset of the disease were analyzed. Biopsy results were assessed using Oxford classifications (MEST-C). The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the severity of proteinuria: A-nephrotic proteinuria with hematuria; B-non-nephrotic proteinuria with hematuria; C-isolated hematuria. Results The first symptoms of nephropathy were observed at the 0.7 (1–128.4) months from the onset of extrarenal symptoms. Kidney biopsy was performed on 39 (6–782) days after the onset of nephropathy symptoms. MEST-C score 4 or 5 was significantly more frequent in children from group A than in groups B and C. Significantly higher mean MEST-C score was found in patients with abdominal symptoms than without. In group A: S0 and T0 we found in significantly shorter time to kidney biopsy than in S1, T1–2 p < 0.05) and in group B the significantly shorter time in T0 compare to T1–2 p < 0.05). The ROC analysis shows that S1 changes appear in kidney biopsies in group A with cut off 21 days (AUC 0,702, p = 0.004, sensitivity 0.895 specificity 0.444) T1–2 changes after 35 days (AUC 0.685, p = 0.022, sensitivity 0.750, specificity 0.615), and in goupn B T1–2 cut off is 74 days (AUC 0,738, p = 0.002, sensitivity 0.667, specificity 0.833). Conclusions In childhood IgAVN, the severity of changes in the urine is clearly reflected in the result of a kidney biopsy. The biopsy should be performed in patients with nephrotic proteinuria no later than 3 weeks after the onset of this symptom in order to promptly apply appropriate treatment and prevent disease progression. Accompanying abdominal symptoms predispose to higher MESTC score

Unlocking the effect of Zn2+ on crystal structure, optical properties, and photocatalytic degradation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) of Bi2WO6

Bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) with a layered structure and visible light response exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity. To enhance its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Zn2+ is partially substituted for Bi3+ in the Bi2WO6 lattice in this study. Particularly, the effect of Zn2+ content (0-22.5 at%) on the crystal structure, optical property, and photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of PFAS of Bi2WO6 is investigated. According to the Le Bail fits, the unit-cell volume is slightly reduced from 487.7 Å3 to 480.8 Å3 by the partial substitution of smaller Zn2+ (0.74 Å for CN = 6) for larger Bi3+ (1.03 Å for CN = 6) in the Bi2WO6 crystal lattice, and the solubility of Zn2+ in the Bi2WO6 lattice is found to be below 17.5 at%. The partial substitution of Zn2+ influences the self-aggregation of nanoparticles, Ostwald ripening, and self-organization of nanoplates, resulting in different morphologies. Although the optical bandgap energy of Bi2WO6 is not significantly altered upon the partial substitution of Zn2+, the conduction and valence bands simultaneously shift upward. Among the Bi2−xZnxWO6+δ photocatalysts, 2.5 at% Zn2+-substituted Bi2WO6 exhibits larger water oxidation photocurrent density (0.316 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE) and the highest photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of PFHxA (k1 = 0.012 min−1). The trapping experiments confirm that the photo-excited holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (O2˙−) are the major reactive species involved in the photodegradation of PFHxA. Liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS) reveals that decarboxylation and defluorination are the main possible routes for the photodegradation of PFHxA over Bi2−xZnxWO6+δ photocatalysts. Our findings suggest that the partial Zn2+-to-Bi2+ substitution can enhance the photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6 for the degradation of PFAS.Fil: Hojamberdiev, Mirabbos. Technishe Universitat Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Larralde, Ana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Industrial. Gerencia Operativa de Desarrollo Tecnologico E Innovacion. Sub Gerencia Operativa de Energia y Movilidad.; ArgentinaFil: Vargas Balda, Ronald Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - la Plata. Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus.; ArgentinaFil: Madriz Ruiz, Lorean Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - la Plata. Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus.; ArgentinaFil: Yubuta, Kunio. Kyushu University; JapónFil: Sannegowda, Lokesh Koodlur. Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University; IndiaFil: Sadok, Ilona. Medical University Of Lublin (medical University Of Lublin);Fil: Krzyszczak Turczyn, Agnieszka. Medical University Of Lublin (medical University Of Lublin); . Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin; PoloniaFil: Oleszczuk, Patryk. Medical University Of Lublin (medical University Of Lublin); . Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin; PoloniaFil: Czech, Bożena. Medical University Of Lublin (medical University Of Lublin); . Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin; Poloni