Cultured microvascular endothelial cells derived from the bovine corpus luteum possess NCAM-140

Previously, five phenotypically different, stable types of microvascular endothelial cells (MVE) were isolated from the bovine corpus and cultured successfully. We found that three out of these five types of MVE express the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). As shown by immunocytochemistry, weak NCAM immunoreactivity occurred mainly in the perinuclear area of cell type 1. Monolayers of types 2 and 5 revealed heavy NCAM immunoreactivity, which was localized predominantly at the lateral cell surface outlining the contact zones of adjacent cells. In contrast, cell types 3 and 4 were not NCAM immunoreactive. Western blot analyses substantiated these results: While cell type 1 showed a weak immunoreactive band, cell types 2 and 5 displayed strong NCAM-immunoreactive bands of a molecular weight of approximately 140 kDa (NCAM-140), which was absent in cell types 3 and 4. These results reveal for the first time that NCAM can be expressed by cultured MVE and may serve in mediating endothelial cell contacts. Since luteal cells also express NCAM-140, this adhesion molecule could in addition be involved in the interactions of luteal cells with MVE

Experiences and opportunities in teaching ukrainian students at the faculty of mining and geoengineering in AGH University of Science and Technology

The paper presents the influence of various factors on the process of internationalisation of higher education in Poland, and particularly in AGH University of Science and Technology from the perspective of the Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering. It lays out educational opportunities for learners at mining and geology study courses, and the benefits stemming therefrom for international students, including students from Ukraine. Possibilities of academic exchange were discussed and that of international cooperation, in particular with Ukraine, in order to support the potential of science and higher education in both countries. Lastly, factors were indicated in favour of taking education with AGH

Nuclear thermal rocket workshop reference system Rover/NERVA

The Rover/NERVA engine system is to be used as a reference, against which each of the other concepts presented in the workshop will be compared. The following topics are reviewed: the operational characteristics of the nuclear thermal rocket (NTR); the accomplishments of the Rover/NERVA programs; and performance characteristics of the NERVA-type systems for both Mars and lunar mission applications. Also, the issues of ground testing, NTR safety, NASA's nuclear propulsion project plans, and NTR development cost estimates are briefly discussed

Relaxation into equilibrium under pure Schr\"odinger dynamics

We consider bipartite quantum systems that are described completely by a state vector $|\Psi(t)>$ and the fully deterministic Schr\"odinger equation. Under weak constraints and without any artificially introduced decoherence or irreversibility, the smaller of the two subsystems shows thermodynamic behaviour like relaxation into an equilibrium, maximization of entropy and the emergence of the Boltzmann energy distribution. This generic behaviour results from entanglement.Comment: 5 pages, 9 figure

On the concept of pressure in quantum mechanics

Heat and work are fundamental concepts for thermodynamical systems. When these are scaled down to the quantum level they require appropriate embeddings. Here we show that the dependence of the particle spectrum on system size giving rise to a formal definition of pressure can, indeed, be correlated with an external mechanical degree of freedom, modelled as a spatial coordinate of a quantum oscillator. Under specific conditions this correlation is reminiscent of that occurring in the classical manometer.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Distribution, abundance and damages caused by European beavers (Castor fiber) in Polish forests

Borowski, Z., Borkowski, J

Designing Poland's Macroeconomic Strategy on the Way to the Euro Area

In this paper we discuss selected aspects of Poland's road to the euro zone. Our attention focuses on the proper design of macroeconomic policy during the accession period. We address the issue of entering ERM II, with special attention to the choice of central parity, fluctuation bands, possible revaluation of the parity and sharing the burden of interventions with the ECB.Further we concentrate on the issue of a simultaneous fulfilment of all convergence criteria. We point at the central role of fiscal austerity in providing a save framework for fulfilling the inflation, exchange rate and, obviously, the public deficit criteria. The key role of timing is accentuated.EMU; Euro; Poland

Designing Poland’s Macroeconomic Strategy on the Way to the Euro Area

In this paper we discuss selected aspects of Poland’s road to the euro zone. Our attention focuses on the proper design of macroeconomic policy during the accession period. We address the issue of entering ERM II, with special attention to the choice of central parity, fluctuation bands, possible revaluation of the parity and sharing the burden of interventions with the ECB. Further we concentrate on the issue of a simultaneous fulfilment of all convergence criteria. We point at the central role of fiscal austerity in providing a save framework for fulfilling the inflation, exchange rate and, obviously, the public deficit criteria. The key role of timing is accentuated.Transition economies, ERM II, equilibrium exchange rate