Assessment of uterine caruncles, uterine cervix, and vulva during the postpartum period in Kivircik ewes with shear-wave elastography.

Introduction: This study aims to quantify the shear wave speed (SWS) and stiffness of the uterine cervix (close to the internal cervical ostium (IOC) which is the cranial portion of cervix and close to the external cervical ostium (EOC) which is the caudal portion of cervix), caruncular areas, and vulvar labia during the postpartum period in healthy Kivircik ewes by using shear-wave elastography. Power Doppler ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the color pixel percentage (CPP) of the caruncles.

Methods: The study included 13 healthy pregnant Kivircik ewes, which were randomly selected.

An inherently discrete-time model based on the mass action law for a heterogeneous population.

In this paper, we introduce and analyze a discrete-time model of an epidemic spread in a heterogeneous population. As the heterogeneous population, we define a population in which we have two groups which differ in a risk of getting infected: a low-risk group and a high-risk group. We construct our model without discretization of its continuous-time counterpart, which is not a common approach.

Experiencing Food Restrictions for Health and Weight Control in Childhood and Their Links to Restrained Eating and Excessive Body Weight in Polish Young Adults-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: A better understanding of the conditions leading to overweight and obesity is fundamental due to the ever-increasing phenomenon of excess body weight. This study aimed to determine how the occurrence of restrained eating in young adulthood, food-restricted types, and food experiences related to food restrictions originating in childhood correlate with excessive body weight among young adults.

Methods: The data were collected in Poland in 2020-2021 using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview technique as a cross-sectional study among 358 young adults.

Analysis of Nutrition Knowledge After One Year of Intervention in a National Extracurricular Athletics Program: A Cross-Sectional Study with Pair-Matched Controls of Polish Adolescents.

Nutrition knowledge may be translated into adequate dietary intake and proper eating habits, so adolescent education programs focusing on improving eating habits and nutrition knowledge are needed. The aim of the cross-sectional study with pair-matched controls was to assess the Consumer Nutrition Knowledge Scale (CoNKS) results and its determinants after one year of intervention in a national extracurricular athletics program within a pair-matched sample of Polish adolescents. The #goathletics Study evaluated a Polish national extracurricular athletics program, 'Athletics for all', being a voluntary and free-of-charge physical activity program organized by the Polish Athletics Association.

Health-Promoting and Functional Properties of Fermented Milk Beverages with Probiotic Bacteria in the Prevention of Civilization Diseases.

Background/objectives: There is scattered information in the scientific literature regarding the characterization of probiotic bacteria found in fermented milk beverages and the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria on human health. Our objective was to gather the available information on the use of probiotic bacteria in the prevention of civilization diseases, with a special focus on the prevention of obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

Methods: We carried out a literature review including the following keywords, either individually or collectively: lactic acid bacteria; probiotic bacteria; obesity; lactose intolerance; diabetes; cancer protection; civilization diseases; intestinal microbiota; intestinal pathogens.

Molecular Mechanisms Linking Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Gut-Brain Axis.

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a complex communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the central nervous system (CNS) through neuronal, endocrine, metabolic, and immune pathways. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are crucial food components that may modulate the function of this axis through molecular mechanisms. Derived mainly from marine sources, these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are integral to cell membrane structure, enhancing fluidity and influencing neurotransmitter function and signal transduction.

Morphological patterns of the European bison (Bison bonasus) skull.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of environmental factors, sexual selection, and genetic variation on skull morphology by examining the skull structure of the European bison, a species at risk of extinction, and comparing it to other bovid species. The skull of the European bison was significantly bigger than that of other species of the tribe Bovini, and the results revealed considerable morphological differences in skull shape compared to other Bovini samples. The bison skull exhibited a broader shape in the frontal region and a more laterally oriented cornual process.

Review of surgical methods for stabilizing the lumbosacral spine in dogs with chronic L7-S1 instability.

Chronic instability at the lumbosacral junction, particularly between the L7 vertebra and the sacral bone, presents significant challenges in veterinary orthopedics, especially for large breed dogs. This condition frequently results in severe pain, neurological deficits, and mobility impairments, prompting the development of various surgical techniques aimed at effectively stabilizing the affected area. A critical evaluation of the literature on surgical stabilization of the lumbosacral spine in dogs reveals the clinical applications, outcomes, and future directions in veterinary spinal surgery.

Serological evidence of antibodies in wild boars () in Poland.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of among wild boars inhabiting Poland.

Material And Methods: Serum samples were collected from 281 wild boars of varying ages (juveniles, adolescents and adults) and subjected to testing using a commercial indirect ELISA assay.

Results: The prevalence of antibodies was notably high, reaching 75.

Ensemble learning based sustainable approach to rebuilding metal structures prediction.

The effective implementation of the European Green Deal is based on closing cycles by means of reusing products and extending their durability, especially for steel products in the construction industry. The Life Cycle Assessment gives an opportunity to determine the potential impact caused on the environment by building structures and it is used mainly at the early design stage. At the same time, there are significant gaps when it comes to predicting properties of steel products at the last stage of the life cycle of existing buildings in the End of Life Stage (C1-C4) phases and especially D-Benefits and Loads Beyond the System Boundary.

Emerging Trends in the Integration of Smart Sensor Technologies in Structural Health Monitoring: A Contemporary Perspective.

In recent years, civil engineering has increasingly embraced communication tools for automation, with sensors playing a pivotal role, especially in structural health monitoring (SHM). These sensors enable precise data acquisition, measuring parameters like force, displacement, and temperature and transmit data for timely interventions to prevent failures. This approach reduces reliance on manual inspections, offering more accurate outcomes.

Characterization of Composites from Post-Consumer Polypropylene and Oilseed Pomace Fillers.

This study investigates the properties of composites produced using post-consumer polypropylene (PP) reinforced with lignocellulosic fillers from (black cumin) and rapeseed pomace. Using agri-food by-products like pomace supports waste management efforts and reduces the demand for wood in wood-plastic composites. The composite production method combined extrusion and hot flat pressing.

Stabilisation/Solidification of the Zn-Contaminated Loess Silt in View of the Mechanical Properties.

The effectiveness of the stabilisation/solidification process depends upon a number of factors, the most significant of which are the type of binder, contaminants, and soil undergoing treatment. In accordance with the principles of sustainable construction, alternatives to cement are sought after, with the objective of achieving the lowest environmental impact while maintaining a high level of strength and effective binding of the contaminant. In the study of the stabilisation/solidification of zinc-contaminated loess, incinerated sewage sludge fly ash with reactive magnesia was selected as the binder, and the UCS of the mixtures and microstructure was verified after 28 days of treatment.

Effect of Styrene Polymerization on the Bondability of Beech and Alder Wood with Different Adhesives.

This study aimed to evaluate the bondability of beech and alder wood modified through styrene polymerization within the wood lumen. Unmodified wood samples served as the reference material. Bondability was tested using four adhesive types commonly used in wood technology: polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), urea-formaldehyde (UF), phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde (PRF), and epoxy resin.

Impact of Hot Water Extraction on the Compaction Efficiency and Material Properties of in Pellet Production.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of material modification by hot water extraction (HWE) on the compaction efficiency of shredded stalks in the pellet production process. Samples were prepared to differ in the number of HWE cycles: HWE I was subjected to a single cycle, HWE II was subjected to two cycles, and HWE III was subjected to three cycles and unmodified material. An analysis of the compaction process was carried out to evaluate the effect of HWE on density and energy consumption.

The Effect of Honey Powder Addition on Chosen Quality Properties of Model Chicken Products.

The objective of our paper was to evaluate the effect of honey powder addition on the quality of model chicken products over 14 days of refrigerated storage. Three model chicken product variants were produced: C-control, HP1%, HP2%-with 1 or 2% of honey powder addition. The cooking loss, basic chemical composition, water activity, texture, color, lipid oxidation (TBARS and PDSC), microbiological and sensory quality, and volatile compounds profile were determined.

Influence of Explanatory Variable Distributions on the Behavior of the Impurity Measures Used in Classification Tree Learning.

The primary objective of our study is to analyze how the nature of explanatory variables influences the values and behavior of impurity measures, including the Shannon, Rényi, Tsallis, Sharma-Mittal, Sharma-Taneja, and Kapur entropies. Our analysis aims to use these measures in the interactive learning of decision trees, particularly in the tie-breaking situations where an expert needs to make a decision. We simulate the values of explanatory variables from various probability distributions in order to consider a wide range of variability and properties.

Sustainable Lipase Immobilization: Chokeberry and Apple Waste as Carriers.

In the modern world, the principles of the bioeconomy are becoming increasingly important. Recycling and reusability play a crucial role in sustainable development. Green chemistry is based on enzymes, but immobilized biocatalysts are still often designed with synthetic polymers.

The Population Development of the Red Mason Bee, L., for Different Types of Nesting Materials.

L. is a widespread and valued pollinator species. It is considered to be easy to breed, provided that the nesting material in which the bees build their nests is of sufficient quality and quantity.

Autumn and winter air phytofiltration - Are plants able to biofilter air during peak pollutant emissions?

Air pollution is highest in winter. The high concentration of particulate matter (PM) and trace elements (TE) after the growing season is influenced by increased pollutant emissions, unfavorable meteorological conditions, and the low efficiency of air phytofiltration. Plants that can remove pollutants from the air during the growing season are leafless in autumn/winter, and therefore unable to capture PM/TE effectively.

Evaluation of susceptibility to pyrazinamide and streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol of Mycobacterium caprae strains isolated from European bison (Bison bonasus caucasicus) in the Bieszczady Mountains (Southern Poland).

The material for drug resistance testing was 28 strains of Mycobacterium caprae isolated from tissue collected post mortem from a free-living Bieszczady Mountain European bison (Bison bonasus caucasicus) herd. All drug susceptibility tests were carried out on an automated Bactec mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) 960 system, using Bactec MGIT 960 streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol (S.I.

Finite element analysis of RC beams using static experimental data to predict static and dynamic behaviors.

This study comprehensively compares dynamic and static forces in reinforced concrete (RC) beams, utilising experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) methodologies. Experimental tests involve monotonic two-point loading of 1 m x 150 mm x 150 mm RC beams using a universal testing machine (UTM). Deflection measurements are taken at three distinct locations (S1-S3) using various sensors, including force resisting sensor (FRS), flex sensor (FLS), MEMS accelerometer, and Piezoelectric sensors.

Extreme learning machine for identifying soil-dwelling microorganisms cultivated on agar media.

The aim of this research is to create an automated system for identifying soil microorganisms at the genera level based on raw microscopic images of monocultural colonies grown in laboratory environment. The examined genera are: Fusarium, Trichoderma, Verticillium, Purpureolicillium and Phytophthora. The proposed pipeline deals with unprocessed microscopic images, avoiding additional sample marking or coloration.

Chemical and microbial risk assessment of wild edible plants and flowers.

The document focuses on the chemical and microbial risk assessment of wild edible plants (WEPs) and flowers, highlighting potential risks from heavy metals, pesticides and microorganisms. WEPs are valuable for human nutrition and gastronomy, offering essential compounds and health benefits. They are also seen as a sustainable food source.