Magnetic field-induced electric quadrupole moment in the ground state of the relativistic hydrogen-like atom: Application of the Sturmian expansion of the generalized Dirac-Coulomb Green function

We consider a Dirac one-electron atom placed in a weak, static, uniform magnetic field. We show that, to the first order in the strength $B$ of the perturbing field, the only electric multipole moment induced by the field in the ground state of the atom is the quadrupole one. Using the Sturmian expansion of the generalized Dirac-Coulomb Green function [R. Szmytkowski, J. Phys. B 30 (1997) 825; erratum 30 (1997) 2747], we derive a closed-form expression for the induced electric quadrupole moment. The result contains the generalized hypergeometric function $_{3}F_{2}$ of the unit argument. Earlier calculations by other authors, based on the non-relativistic model of the atom, predicted in the low-field region the quadratic dependence of the induced electric quadrupole moment on $B$.Comment: LaTeX2e, 9 page

Migration and diversity in a post-socialist context: Creating integrative encounters in Poland

This article explores ‘integrative encounters’ between immigrants and Polish people in Warsaw. Rather than focus on new arrivals we pay attention to the integration experiences of the host population in recognition that this is a group who have been relatively neglected in the literature. Post-socialist European countries where population mobility was circumscribed during the communist era and as a consequence became perceived as relatively homogenous white societies but which are now seeing a rise in immigration, have been largely neglected by non-domestic scholars. In Poland organised group activity is an important means to provide the established population with an opportunity to encounter migrants because such encounters are less likely to occur in everyday spaces. Drawing on research with a Warsaw based NGO which runs a football league to bring Polish people and immigrants together, we argue that attention needs to be paid to the issue of ‘motivation' to participate in integration projects and to the significance of sociality. In doing so, we suggest that creating the conditions for spontaneous connections to develop, even in contrived projects, is a way to overcome indifference to difference. Here, we highlight the qualities of football as a bridging activity to facilitate integrative encounters

Exploring the Role of Relational Practices in Water Governance Using a Game-Based Approach

The growing complexity and interdependence of water management processes requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders in water governance. Multi-party collaboration is increasingly vital at both the strategy development and implementation levels. Multi-party collaboration involves a process of joint decision-making among key stakeholders in a problem domain directed towards the future of that domain. However, the common goal is not present from the beginning; rather, the common goal emerges during the process of collaboration. Unfortunately, when the conflicting interests of different actors are at stake, the large majority of environmental multi-party efforts often do not reliably deliver sustainable improvements to policy and/or practice. One of the reasons for this, which has been long established by many case studies, is that social learning with a focus on relational practices is missing. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and initial results of a pilot study that utilized a game-based approach to explore the effects of relational practices on the effectiveness of water governance. This paper verifies the methods used by addressing the following question: are game mechanisms, protocols for facilitation and observation, the recording of decisions and results, and participant surveys adequate to reliably test hypotheses about behavioral decisions related to water governance? We used the “Lords of the Valley” (LOV) game, which focuses on the local-level management of a hypothetical river valley involving many stakeholders. We used an observation protocol to collect data on the quality of relational practices and compared this data with the quantitative outcomes achieved by participants in the game. In this pilot study, we ran the game three times with different groups of participants, and here we provide the outcomes within the context of verifying and improving the methods

Glycosylation of mucins present in gastric juice: the effect of helicobacter pylori eradication treatment

It is suggested that gastric mucins, and in particular some specific glycan structures that can act as carbohydrate receptors, are involved in the interactions with Helicobacter pylori adhesins. The main aim of our study was to evaluate glycosylation pattern of glycoproteins of gastric juice before and at the end of eradication therapy. Gastric juices were taken from 13 clinical patients and subjected to analysis. Pooled fractions of the void volume obtained after gel filtration were subjected to ELISA tests. To assess the relative amounts of carbohydrate structures, lectins and monoclonal antibodies were used. Changes in the level of MUC 1 and MUC 5AC mucins and of carbohydrate structures, which are suggested to be receptors for Helicobacter pylori adhesins, were observed by the end of the eradication treatment. Our results support the idea about the involvement of MUC 5AC and MUC 1 with some specific sugar structures in the mechanism of Helicobacter pylori infection

Elimination of ochratoxin A by lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from chickens and their probiotic characteristics

The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of lactic acid bacteria strains, isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of chickens, to eliminate ochratoxin A (OTA) in vitro and to investigate whether the mechanism of OTA reduction is adsorption or hydrolysis. The probiotic characteristics of the strains, such as their growth performance and synthesis of lactic acid at 42°C, inhibition of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia spp. growth and susceptibility to antibiotics, was also evaluated. Ochratoxin A reductions in MRS broth depended on the tested strain and ranged from 1% to 29%. The level of OTA reduction was higher at 30°C than at 37 and 42°C and there were no significance differences between OTA reduction obtained with live and heat-treated bacteria cells. The evaluation of probiotic characteristics showed that Pediococcus acidilactici KKP 879 was the strain with more potential to develop a probiotic culture for chickens

Wpływ bakterii kwasu mlekowego dodanych do paszy lub wody pitnej na wyniki produkcyjne, zdrowotność i mikroflorę przewodu pokarmowego kurcząt brojlerów

Comparison of the effect of lactic acid bacteria added to feed or water on growth performance, health status and gut microbiota of chickens broilers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of two routs of potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains: Lactobacillus plantarum K KKP 593/p and Lactobacillus rhamnosus KKP 825 administration (via feed or water) on growth performance, health status and the composition of gut microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 375 one-day-old chicks Ross 308 were divided into three main groups. The experimental factor was the application of bacteria to feed (starter, grower and fi nisher) or drinking water. Control group did not receive bacteria. Addition of bacteria to water had a favorable effect on higher live body weight of chickens during the fi rst (starter) and the second (grower) period of rearing compared to the control group and the group receiving bacteria in feed. Total feed intake and feed conversion ratio was higher in the groups receiving bacteria than in the control group. Mortality among chickens receiving LAB was signifi - cantly reduced, wherein the lowest mortality was observed among chickens receiving bacteria in feed. Moreover, feeding chickens with potentially probiotic bacteria had an impact on inhibition the growth of Clostridium perfringens in the intestine and did not change biochemical and hematological parameters of blood and results of slaughter analysis compared to the control group. There were no clear and signifi cant differences in analyzed parameters of chickens depending on the rout of lactic acid bacteria administration