Video games research from the perspective of media education : analysis and recommendations

Artykuł przedstawia analizę ogólnodostępnych raportów podejmujących zagadnienia gier wideo i towarzyszących im zjawisk, przy czym autorzy skupiają się na wątkach rodzinnych i rodzicielskich. Punkt wyjścia stanowią potrzeby i oczekiwania edukatorów medialnych. Przeanalizowano założenia teoretyczne, treść, metodologię oraz sposób realizacji wybranych badań. Wnioski zostały przedstawione w postaci propozycji zmian w badaniach nad grami z uwzględnieniem ich funkcjonowania w środowisku rodzinnym i rówieśniczym.The article presents an analysis of popular reports taking up the issues of video games and related phenomena; the authors focus on family and parenting issues. The needs and expectations of media educators are the starting point for the analysis. Theoretical assumptions, content, methodology and practical aspects of selected studies are taken into consideration in the analysis. Conclusions are presented as proposals for changes in further research on video games, including their place in the family environment or peer groups

Doświadczanie kryzysu przez rodziców dziecka z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną

A child's disability is a difficult life experience for parents and is associated with many new situations. Changes related to it require reorganization of the current functioning of a family. Usually, in families where a child with a disability is born, there is a crisis. The emotions and experiences associated with it differ in dynamics and intensity. These experiences are illustrated by the spiral of changes by Erika Schuchardt (2005) presented in the article. In addition, the article is a review and presents the results of scientific research on the crisis experienced by parents of children with intellectual disabilities.Niepełnosprawność dziecka stanowi dla rodziców trudne doświadczenie życiowe i wiąże się z wieloma nowymi sytuacjami. Konieczne zmiany wymagają reorganizacji dotychczasowego funkcjonowania. Zazwyczaj w rodzinach, w których rodzi się dziecko z niepełnosprawnością, pojawia się kryzys. Związane z nim emocje i przeżycia różnią się od siebie dynamiką i natężeniem. Doświadczenia te obrazuje przedstawiona w tekście spirala przemian autorstwa Eriki Schuchardt (2005). Artykuł ma także charakter przeglądowy i prezentuje wyniki badań naukowych poświęconych kryzysowi doświadczanemu przez rodziców dzieci z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną

Problemy zrównoważonego użytkowania surowców mineralnych

Mineral raw materials belong to non-renewable resources. Their content in the Earth’s crust is limited and they undergo regeneration only in specific geologic conditions during hundreds, thousands or even millions of years. The sustainable use of mineral resources depends mostly on their protection and efficient management. However, due to growing population on Earth, the economy will not fulfill an increasing demand for mineral resources. This article presents various methods of extending the future availability of mineral resources, as well as indicates some potential problems in implementation of sustainable management of mineral resources.Surowce mineralne należą do nieodnawialnych zasobów przyrody. Ich ilość w skorupie ziemskiej jest ograniczona a regeneracja możliwa jedynie w specyficznych warunkach geologicznych oraz w czasie obejmującym setki, tysiące, a nawet miliony lat. Trwałość użytkowania surowców mineralnych zależy przede wszystkim od ochrony i racjonalnej gospodarki tymi zasobami przyrody, jednak w obliczu rosnącej liczby mieszkańców Ziemi, oszczędność ta tylko w niewielkim stopniu przyczyni się do zaspokojenia wzrastającego zapotrzebowania na surowce mineralne. W artykule przedstawiono metody, które służą przedłużeniu trwałości użytkowania surowców mineralnych oraz zasygnalizowano problemy, z jakimi może być związane wdrażanie zrównoważonej gospodarki surowcami mineralnymi

Analysis of the role of education and sport in the heavy burden of obesity

Obesity has become the global pandemic of the world. The epidemiological rise has only happened in recent decades. Unfortunately, the disease affects people of all ages. The most prominent characteristics of the disorder are excessive fat accumulation, body mass index exceeding the number of 30, and general lowering of the quality of life. The consequences are observed in the whole organism. The disruptions affect one’s overall homeostasis. Certain diseases are specifically associated with excessive fat mass. When not properly managed, obesity leads to chronic illnesses and severe comorbidities, the most morbid one being death. Thus, effective therapeutic approaches are needed. Focus on education and physical activity are the best way to tackle this problem. The aim of this study is to check the factors and changes necessary to lose weight in obese patients in Poland. The main question regarded the role of sport and proper education in maintaining or losing weight in the Polish society. In order to analyse the issue, an Internet survey was prepared and disseminated in March and April 2023. Over half of the respondents have ever used a diet. Over 8 out of ten of them achieved the success in the set task. When asked about physical activity, the most respondents chose option 30-60 minutes per day. The preferred type of physical activity was most commonly walking. When asked if sport enabled the respondents to lose or maintain weight – 63,5% confirmed. 72% of respondents experienced education regarding healthy lifestyle, most commonly at home. Over 60% of respondents believed they were well informed about recommended behaviours. Over 50% of them confirmed their education is sufficient to lose weight. Maintaining healthy regimes is key to a healthy life. However, not all people are properly educated how to do that. In fact, there is a tendency of overestimation of one’s education in those topics. All in all, proper experience and routines are necessary

Characterization of Microbial Communities in Acidified, Sulfur Containing Soils

Over a period of three years, microbial communities in acidified soil with high sulfur content were analyzed. In soil water extracts ureolytic, proteolytic, oxidoreductive, and lipolytic activity were detected. The presented results indicate that the enzymatic activity of soil micro­bial communities varied considerably over time. Isolated 26 (80%) bacterial strains belonged to genus Bacillus sp. and were identified bycultivation and 16S rRNA methods. The commercially available procedures for bacterial DNA isolation from acidified soil failed, therefore a new, specific DNA isolation method was established. Ureolytic activity, detected in soil extracts as well as in isolated Bacillus sp. strains may be considered as a tool for the bioremediation of acidified soils with high sulfate content

Reduction in the level of antibodies against heat shock proteins 60 during different hormonal protocols in postmenopausal women

Introduction: In current literature, the immune-inflammatory theory of atherosclerosis is widely discussed. The role of how heat shock proteins 60 (HSP60) lead to the development of the atheromatous plaque is especially underlined. The aim of the study is to estimate the influence of three hormonal protocols on behavior of antibodies against HSP60. It determines the state of endothelium in postmenopausal women. Material and methods: The study was carried out on 90 women between 2007 and 2012. All the women were in their menopausal age (51 ± 3 years), from the south region of Poland, with a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level above 25 mIU/ml, and with menopausal symptoms disturbing their normal daily activity. The study was done for a period of 6 months. Three groups of 30 randomized patients were formed. In the first group we used transdermal estrogen therapy in a 37.5 µg/24 h dose combined with a 10 mg dose of dydrogesterone. In the second group we applied transdermal estrogen therapy in a 50 µg/24 h dose with 2.5 mg of oral medroxyprogesterone. In both these groups, gestagens were administered continuously. In the third group, we prescribed continuous, oral, low-dose combined estrogen-gestagen therapy with 1 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg of norethisterone acetate. The control group consisted of 30 volunteers who were also from the south region of Poland, in good health, with menopausal symptoms, no menstrual period for the last 12 months, selected considering their age and weight, with an FSH level above 25 mIU/ml and with normal levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin. All patients treated and in the control group were seronegative to Chlamydia pneumonia for the entire duration of the study. In the analysis conducted, nonparametric tests were used (Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis test - ANOVA). Results: After 6 months of hormonal therapy, we found that all schemes of treatment promote a significant reduction in antibodies against HSP60 in all treated groups vs. the control group. Conclusions: All of the investigated estrogen protocols have a favorable impact on the blood level of HSP60 antibodies in early postmenopausal women who have no cardiovascular risk factors. It triggers a better condition of endothelium

Chemically homogenous compounds with antagonistic properties at all α1\alpha_{1}-adrenoceptor subtypes but not β1\beta_{1}-adrenoceptor attenuate adrenaline-induced arrhythmia in rats

Studies proved that among all α1-adrenoceptors, cardiac myocytes functionally express only α1A- and α1B-subtype. Scientists indicated that α1A-subtype blockade might be beneficial in restoring normal heart rhythm. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of α1-adrenoceptors subtypes (i.e. α1A and α1B) in antiarrhythmic effect of six structurally similar derivatives of 2-methoxyphenylpiperazine. We compared the activity of studied compounds with carvedilol, which is β1- and α1-adrenoceptors blocker with antioxidant properties.To evaluate the affinity for adrenergic receptors, we used radioligand methods. We investigated selectivity at α1-adrenoceptors subtypes using functional bioassays. We tested antiarrhythmic activity in adrenaline-induced (20 µg/kg i.v.), calcium chloride-induced (140 and 25 mg/kg i.v.) and barium chloride-induced (32 and 10 mg/kg i.v.) arrhythmia models in rats. We also evaluated the influence of studied compounds on blood pressure in rats, as well as lipid peroxidation. All studied compounds showed high affinity towards α1-adrenoceptors but no affinity for β1 receptors. Biofunctional studies revealed that the tested compounds blocked α1A- stronger than α1B-adrenoceptors, but except for HBK-19 they antagonized α1A-adrenoceptor weaker than α1D-subtype. HBK-19 showed the greatest difference in pA2 values - it blocked α1A-adrenoceptors around sevenfold stronger than α1B subtype. All compounds showed prophylactic antiarrhythmic properties in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia, but only the activity of HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19 (ED50=0.18-0.21) was comparable to that of carvedilol (ED50=0.36). All compounds reduced mortality in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19 showed therapeutic antiarrhythmic properties in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. None of the compounds showed activity in calcium chloride- or barium chloride-induced arrhythmias. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19 decreased heart rhythm at ED84. All compounds significantly lowered blood pressure in normotensive rats. HBK-18 showed the strongest hypotensive properties (the lowest active dose: 0.01 mg/kg). HBK-19 was the only compound in the group, which did not show hypotensive effect at antiarrhythmic doses. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18, HBK-19 showed weak antioxidant properties.Our results indicate that the studied 2-methoxyphenylpiperazine derivatives that possessed stronger α1A-adrenolytic properties (i.e. HBK-16, HBK-17, HBK-18 and HBK-19) were the most compounds in adrenaline-induced arrhythmia. Thus, we suggest that the potent blockade of α1A-receptor subtype is essential to attenuate adrenaline-induced arrhythmia

The geological cycle of plastics and their use as a stratigraphic indicator of the Anthropocene

The rise of plastics since the mid-20th century, both as a material element of modern life and as a growing environmental pollutant, has been widely described. Their distribution in both the terrestrial and marine realms suggests that they are a key geological indicator of the Anthropocene, as a distinctive stratal component. Most immediately evident in terrestrial deposits, they are clearly becoming widespread in marine sedimentary deposits in both shallow- and deep-water settings. They are abundant and widespread as macroscopic fragments and virtually ubiquitous as microplastic particles; these are dispersed by both physical and biological processes, not least via the food chain and the ‘faecal express’ route from surface to sea floor. Plastics are already widely dispersed in sedimentary deposits, and their amount seems likely to grow several-fold over the next few decades. They will continue to be input into the sedimentary cycle over coming millennia as temporary stores – landfill sites – are eroded. Plastics already enable fine time resolution within Anthropocene deposits via the development of their different types and via the artefacts (‘technofossils’) they are moulded into, and many of these may have long-term preservation potential when buried in strata