Pattern of Post-Juvenile Moult in Common Snipe (Gallinago Gallinago) and Its Implications for Ageing of the Species

External ageing of Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) still engenders considerable problems. To improve precision of age determination on the basis of plumage characteristics a scheme of post-juvenile moult was investigated in approximately 1200 first-year Common Snipes caught during autumn migration in central Poland. Post-juvenile moult was commenced from body feathers followed by moult of rectrices, lesser/median wing coverts and tertials. Moult sequence showed high inter-individual variability and was started in rectrices (36.9%), wing coverts (25.3%), tertials (8.4%) or simultaneously in several of these tracts of feathers (29.4%). Moult of rectrices was finished before completion of moult of wing coverts and tertials. Moult of tertials finished as the last from all age-indicative tracts of feathers. Consequently, tertials were suggested as the most useful for ageing of first-year Common Snipes in an advanced stage of moult. There was no case of moult of the outermost tertial in first-year birds. The second tertial from distal side of wing was moulted as the last one within this tract of feathers and thereby should be of special interest during plumage examination

Cardioversion differences among first detected episode, paroxysmal, and persistent atrial fibrillation patients in the RHYTHM AF registry in Poland

Background: The aim of the publication is to show differences among patients with the first detected episode of atrial fibrillation (AF), paroxysmal, and persistent AF patients, for whom cardioversion was planned in the hospital setting in Poland. Methods: We present an analysis of the Polish cohort of the multicenter, multinational RHYTHM-AF registry. Consecutive patients in the hospital setting, aged ≥ 18 years, with documented AF at the time of enrollment, and for whom cardioversion of AF is one of the planned therapeutic options were recruited. Follow-up data was collected 60 days after enrollment. Results: Five-hundred-and-one patients were recruited, 483 with a defined AF type: 88 — first detected, 191 paroxysmal, and 204 persistent AF. CHA2DS2VASc scores were not significantly different between the groups, while treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) was significantly lower in paroxysmal AF group than in persistent AF patients. Primary electrical cardioversion was most commonly performed in patients with persistent AF (90.4%), while primary pharmacological cardioversion — in the first detected AF (80.0%) and paroxysmal AF patients (76.7%). During 2 months of follow-up, the rate of rehospitalization and complications was comparable among the groups. Conclusions: Despite their comparable CHA2DS2VASc scores, patients with persistent AF were more frequently treated with VKA antagonists than other groups. Recurrence of AF within 2 months after restoring sinus rhythm was present in about 25% of the patients, and the rate of complications was not different among the three groups.

Bis(3-methyl­phenolato-κO)(nitros­yl-κN)[tris­(3,5-dimethyl­pyrazol-1-yl-κN 2)hydridoborato]molybdenum(II)

The title complex, [Mo(C15H22BN6)(C7H7O)2(NO)], contains an {MoNO}4 core stabilized by κ3­-hydrotris­(3,5-dimethyl­pyrazol-1-yl)borate, [TpMe2]−, and two anionic m-cresolate ligands, leading to a distorted octa­hedral geometry for the Mo atom. The short Mo—O bond lengths [1.935 (2) and 1.971 (2) Å], as well as large Mo—O—Csp 2 angles [134.2 (2) and 143.54 (19)°], indicate dπMo—pπO inter­actions, which are clearly weaker when compared with {Mo(NO)(TpMe2)} alkoxides. The nitrosyl system is virtually linear [179.3 (3)°] with Mo—N and N—O bond lengths of 1.760 (2) and 1.205 (3) Å, respectively. Intra- and inter­molecular C—H(Ph or CH3)⋯π(Ph) inter­actions between adjacent phenyl rings are found in the crystal structure (d H⋯Ph in the range 2.743–2.886 Å). One of the Ph rings shows disorder, i.e. swinging in the ring plane

Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation (RHYTHM-AF) International Registry in Poland

Background: A key procedure of the rhythm control strategy in atrial fibrillation (AF) is cardioversion to normal sinus rhythm. The aim of the present study was to provide a review of treatment patterns for the cardioversion of patients with AF in a hospital setting in Poland and document the success rate of various cardioversion procedures.Methods: We herein present the results from Poland of a prospective observational study to characterize patients with recent onset episodes of AF for whom cardioversion is one of the planned therapeutic options — the RHYTHM-AF registry. Consecutive patients in the hospital setting, age > 18 years, with documented AF at the time of enrollment, excluding those with atrial flutter and those treated with vernakalant, were recruited. No treatment was recommended nor discouraged.Results: Five hundred and one patients were recruited (mean age 64.2 ± 12.1), with 294 (58.7%) patients finally undergoing cardioversion. Primary electrical cardioversion (ECV) was successful in 131 (88.5%) patients. Primary pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) was successful in 110 (75.3%) patients. Amiodarone and propafenone were most commonly used (52.1% and 24.7%, respectively). Fourteen complications and adverse events were recorded (no stroke was observed).Conclusions: Conversion to sinus rhythm was attempted in < 60% of the patients with AF admitted to the hospital with an intention to terminate arrhythmia. ECV was successful in ~90% of the patients, while PCV in ~75% of the patients (amiodarone and propafenone were most commonly used). The rate of complications was low (2.8%).

MICROBIAL FUEL CELL WITH Ni-Co CATHODE AND KMnO4 CATHOLYTE

The improving standard of living causes the increases in energy consumption and waste or wastewater production. The possibility of combining wastewater treatment and electricity production can be accomplished by means of a microbial fuel cell. The possibility of wastewater treatment using the Ni-Co alloy as cathode catalyst with KMnO4 catholyte for microbial fuel cells was presented in this paper. The measurements covered the comparison of changes in the concentration of COD, NH4+ and NO3- in the reactor without aeration, with aeration and using a microbial fuel cell (with Ni-Co cathode and KMnO4 catholyte). The reduction time for COD using a microbial fuel cell with the Ni-Co catalyst (and KMnO4 catholyte) is similar to the reduction time with aeration. It has been shown that the Ni-Co (with KMnO4 catholyte) can be used as cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells. Unfortunately, in this case a constant delivery of catholyte is needed. The cell power of 15 mW and current density of 0.23 mA/cm2 were obtained in the analysed MFC

ELECTROOXIDATION OF USED SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF H2SO4

The paper presents possibility of using used synthetic engine oil to direct electricity production. The measurements conducted in the temperature range 293-333 K. Were measured electrooxidation of used synthetic engine oil emulsion on a smooth platinum electrode in an aqueous solution of H2SO4. The emulsion prepared on the basis of a nonionic surfactant Syntanol DS-10. The maximum current density reached the level of 22 mA/cm2 (temp. 333 K). Measurements shows possibility of direct electricity production from used synthetic engine oil emulsion, so powering fuel cell of this oil

Intraorbital wooden foreign body — a case report

Background: Wood as an intraorbital foreign body (IOFB) is infrequent, and as it is organic matter patients represent an increased risk of infection. The aim of this study is to report the complexity of treatment of patient with a wooden IOFB. We describe a case of a 67-year-old male with a wooden IOFB. Case report: On referral, the patient presented with exophthalmos, pain, blurry vision and discharge from his left eye was admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Gdańsk. The previous evening, he fell with his face down. Computed tomography revealed a low-density IOFB of approximately -980 Hounsfield Units, sized 62 × 8 mm, in the area of left orbit, ethmoid and sphenoid sinus. Subsequently, the IOFB was removed under general anaesthesia. After three days of empirical antibiotic therapy, the patient was discharged with a switch to oral antibiotics. Shortly after the conversion to oral therapy, he developed an orbital inflammatory syndrome and was readmitted to the hospital. His condition improved after readministration of parenteral antibiotics. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that wooden IOFBs should be treated with caution. Parenteral antibiotic delivery leads to higher serum levels than with oral intake, and in this case, was essential in preventing infection after IOFB removal

Age‑related diferences in reproductive success support the selection hypothesis in a Mute Swan population

In many bird species, we observe age-related differences in reproductive success, which usually increases early in life and later decreases due to senescence. At the individual level, an early-life improvement in breeding performance may be associated with experience acquired during early reproductive events (experience hypothesis). At the population level, higher average reproductive success of older age cohorts can result from a disappearance of low-quality individuals from the population (selection hypothesis). Here, we tested these hypotheses in a wild population of the Mute Swan Cygnus olor from central Poland. In 1996–2016, we collected information on breeding success of 150 marked individuals (70 females and 80 males; 590 breeding attempts). At the population level, there was an initial increase in reproductive success (1–5 years), followed by a plateau (5–8 years), and then by a decrease in older age classes. Both within- and between-individual age variation contributed to the linear increase in reproductive success at the population level, but the latter effect was much more apparent. Short-term breeders (≤ 2 breeding events) had significantly lower reproductive success than long-term breeders (≥ 3 breeding events) during their first two breeding attempts, providing support for selection hypothesis and disappearance of low-quality phenotypes. After exclusion of short-term breeders, a positive age-related increase in reproductive success lost significance, suggesting that under-specific condition (rapid population growth and strong human disturbance) experience may have a limited effect on reproductive success in long-lived species with strong pair bonds, such as the Mute Swan.Für viele Vogelarten stellen wir altersbedingte Unterschiede im Reproduktionserfolg fest, der normalerweise in der Jugend anwächst und später im Alter wieder nachlässt. Auf individueller Ebene ist eine Verbesserung der Brutleistung in der Jugend möglicherweise mit Erfahrungen aus frühen Fortpflanzungserlebnissen verbunden (Erfahrungshypothese). Auf Populationsebene könnte ein höherer Reproduktionserfolg älterer Altersgruppen aus dem Verschwinden von Individuen minderer Qualität resultieren (Selektionshypothese). Wir untersuchten beide Hypothesen an einer wildlebenden Höckerschwan-Population (Cygnus olor) in Zentralpolen. Von 1996 bis 2016 sammelten wir Informationen zum Bruterfolg von 150 markierten Einzeltieren (70 Weibchen und 80 Männchen; 590 Brutansätze). Auf Populationsebene gab es zunächst eine Zunahme des Bruterfolgs (1–5 Jahre), gefolgt von einem Plateau (5-8 Jahre) und dann einer Abnahme bei den älteren Jahrgängen. Die Altersschwankungen sowohl der einzelnen als auch zwischen den Tieren trugen zu einem linearen Anstieg des Reproduktionserfolgs auf der Populationsebene bei, wobei der Effekt der letzteren Gruppe aber der wesentlich größere war. Kurzzeit-Brütende (≤ 2 Brutansätze) hatten einen signifikant geringeren Bruterfolg als Langzeit-Brüter (≥ 3 Brutansätze) während ihrer ersten zwei Brutversuche, was die Selektionshypothese und das Verschwinden von Phenotypen geringerer Qualität unterstützt. Lässt man die Kurzzeit-Brüter aus der Rechnung heraus, verliert der positive, altersbedingte Anstieg des Bruterfolgs an Bedeutung, was darauf hindeutet, dass unter bestimmten Bedingungen (rasches Wachsen der Population, starke Störungen durch Menschen) bei langlebigen Arten mit starker Paarbindung wie dem Höckerschwan Erfahrungen nur einen begrenzten Einfluss auf den Fortpflanzungserfolg haben könnten

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations in a hybrid system

We calculate the relativistic correlation function for a hybrid system of a photon and a Dirac-particle. Such a system can be produced in decay of another spin-1/2 fermion. We show, that the relativistic correlation function, which depends on particle momenta, may have local extrema for fermion velocity of order 0.5 c. This influences the degree of violation of CHSH inequality.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Iatrogenic injuries to the trachea and main bronchi

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic tracheobronchial injuries are rare. AIM: To analyse the mechanism of injury, symptoms and treatment of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of hospital records of all patients treated for main airway injuries between 1990 and 2012 was performed. RESULTS: There were 24 patients, including 21 women and 3 men. Mean time between injury and initiation of treatment was 12 hours (range: 2-48). In 16 patients the injury occurred during tracheal intubation, in 1 during rigid bronchoscopy, in 1 during rigid oesophagoscopy, in 1 during mediastinoscopy and in 5 during open surgery. Mean length of airway tear was 3.8 cm (range: 1.5-8). In 1 patient there was an injury to the cervical trachea and in the remaining 23 in the thoracic part of the airway. The treatment included repair of the membranous part of the trachea performed via right thoracotomy in 10 patients (in 1 patient additionally coverage with a pedicled intercostal muscle flap was used), a self-expanding metallic stent in 1 patient, suture of the right main bronchus and the oesophagus in 1, left upper sleeve lobectomy in 1, right upper lobectomy in 1, implantation of a silicone Y stent in 3, mini-tracheostomy in 1, and conservative treatment in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intubation is the most frequent cause of iatrogenic main airway injuries. Patients with these life-threatening complications require an individualised approach and treatment in a reference centre