Akademickie Centrum Komputerowe Cyfronet AGH

Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.

Cholinesterases are important biological targets responsible for regulation of cholinergic transmission, and their inhibitors are used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. To design new cholinesterase inhibitors, of different structure-based design strategies was followed, including the modification of compounds from a previously developed library and a fragment-based design approach. This led to the selection of heterodimeric structures as potential inhibitors. Synthesis and biological evaluation of selected candidates confirmed that the designed compounds were acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with IC50 values in the mid-nanomolar to low micromolar range, and some of them were also butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Intensive oxidative processes occuring in human organism lead to formation of oxygen reactive forms, which can damage systemic cells and tissues. It is shown, that body endogenous protective system can be supported in that case by natural antioxidant compounds provided from food. The assessment of food products as the potential sources of antioxidants was performed, taking into consideration the kinds of compounds supplied, and their significance in the diet of different nations.

An overview of Polish and foreign literature concerning the chemical composition of edible mushrooms both cultivated and harvested in natural sites in Poland and abroad is presented. 100 g of fresh mushrooms contains 5.3-14.8 g dry matter, 1.5-6.7 g of carbohydrates, 1.5-3.0 g of protein and 0.3-0.4 g of fat. Mushrooms are a high valued source of mineral constituents, particularly potassium, phosphorus and magnesium and of vitamins of the B group, chiefly vitamins B2 and B3 and also vitamin D. The aroma of the discussed raw materials is based on about 150 aromatic compounds. The mushrooms can be a source of heavy metals and radioactive substances. They are also characterized by the occurrence of numerous enzymes.

We provide an updated assessment of the power of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) to search for thermally produced dark matter at the TeV scale, via the associated gamma-ray signal from pair-annihilating dark matter particles in the region around the Galactic centre. We find that CTA will open a new window of discovery potential, significantly extending the range of robustly testable models given a standard cuspy profile of the dark matter density distribution. Importantly, even for a cored profile, the projected sensitivity of CTA will be sufficient to probe various well-motivated models of thermally produced dark matter at the TeV scale. This is due to CTA's unprecedented sensitivity, angular and energy resolutions, and the planned observational strategy. The survey of the inner Galaxy will cover a much larger region than corresponding previous observational campaigns with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. CTA will map with unprecedented precision the large-scale diffuse emission in high-energy gamma rays, constituting a background for dark matter searches for which we adopt state-of-the-art models based on current data. Throughout our analysis, we use up-to-date event reconstruction Monte Carlo tools developed by the CTA consortium, and pay special attention to quantifying the level of instrumental systematic uncertainties, as well as background template systematic errors, required to probe thermally produced dark matter at these energies.

Impaired function of regulatory T-cells (Treg) leads to a failure in immune tolerance and triggers autoimmunity. We analyzed whether the deficiency in Treg in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is accompanied by an increase in effector T-cell responses. We studied the frequencies of IL-17A (Th17) and IFNg (Th1) producing CD4(+) T-cells by flow cytometric detection of intracellular cytokines in PMA/ionomycin stimulated blood lymphocytes from seven patients with active SLE, eight with SLE in remission, and 11 healthy controls. Circulating Treg were evaluated as CD4(+)CD25(+) lymphocytes expressing FoxP3. There was no difference in the percentage of Treg cells between the groups, but their absolute counts were decreased in active SLE (5 [1-7] cells/μL) compared to inactive SLE (11 [6-15]; p = 0.05) and healthy controls (16 [10-20]; p 〈 0.01). Both the frequency and numbers of Th1 cells were decreased in SLE compared to controls. No difference was observed in the number of Th17 cells, which resulted in a decreased Th1/Th17 ratio. In parallel, a higher Treg/Th17 ratio in healthy controls (2.2 [1.8-3.6]) compared to active SLE (1.1 [1.0-2.1]; p 〈 0.05) was observed. There was a correlation between the number of Treg cells and disease activity status (SLEDAI, r = -0.59). SLE patients in the active phase of the disease are characterized by a deficiency in Treg cells and decreased Treg/Th17 ratio. This suggests that the imbalance between major T-cells subsets might be responsible for an increased proinflammatory response in the exacerbation of SLE.

A simple and economic method of synthesis of silver colloid nanoparticles with controlled size is presented. By reduction of [Ag(NH3)2] + complex in sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micellar solution with three various reducing agents (hydrazine, formalin and ascorbic acid) the nanoparticles were produced with size below 20 nm. The average size, size distribution, morphology, and structure of particles were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV/Visible absorption spectrophotometry. The influence of the reducing agent on the size of silver particles, fraction of metallic silver and their antimicrobial properties is discussed. In particular, the reduction of silver complex by hydrazine resulted in silver nanoparticles with size below 20nm. They showed high activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (lab isolated strains), and clinical isolated strains including highly multiresistant strains such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

N-homocysteinylated (Nepsilon-Hcy) proteins and corresponding antibodies have recently been discovered in humans and animals. Increased autoimmune response to Nepsilon-Hcy-proteins has been reported in stroke patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether antibodies against N-homocysteinylated albumin are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied 88 male patients aged 50 years or under with angiographically documented CAD and 100 age-matched apparently healthy men as controls. Serum levels of IgG antibodies against Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin were determined using an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Seropositivity to anti-Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin antibodies was 5-fold more frequent in CAD patients than in controls (52.3% vs 10.0%; p<0.0001). Plasma Hcy levels in CAD patients were also significantly higher in the former than in the latter group (medians, 13.0 microM vs 12.1 microM; p=0.026). Importantly, 41.2% of subjects with plasma total Hcy >14.5 mM were seropositive compared with 25.5% of normohomocysteinemic individuals (p=0.048). There was a weak correlation between anti-Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin antibodies and Hcy levels (r=0.16; p=0.03). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, seropositivity to anti-Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin antibodies was an independent predictor of early CAD (OR, 14.82; 95% CI, 4.47 to 49.19; p=0.00002). Interestingly, anti-Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin antibodies were associated with C-reactive protein levels (r=0.24; p=0.002). Seropositivity to anti-Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin antibodies showed no association with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Our results suggest that seropositivity to antibodies against Nepsilon-homocysteinylated albumin is associated with early-onset CAD. An autoimmune response to Nepsilon-Hcy-albumin may represent a novel mechanism involved in the early development of CAD.

The aim of a study was to determine the efficacy of the microbial feed additive containing spores of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (BioPlus 2B ) on performance and health status of rearing calves. Sixty four female Holstein calves, aged on average 16.7 4.5 days, were randomly assigned into two groups of 32 animals: control (C) and BioPlus 2B (BP). Milk replacer (MR) and starter mixture (SM) fed to BP group contained 1.32 10 9 (3.2%) and 1.13 10 9 (11.5%) spores of Bacilli strains, respectively. Each calf was fed with 2.25 l of MR two times a day for eight weeks, up to the age of approximately 10 weeks. Starter diet (SD) offered to calves consisted of SM and whole maize grain, which were mixed in ratio 50:50 (wt/wt). Intake of MR was equal in both groups, but SD intake was higher in the whole experiment in the BP group (1075 vs 951 g/d; P<0.01). The BP calves grew faster than C ones in the whole trial (P=0.05), but especially in weeks 3-4 (P<0.05). At the end of the trial the BP calves were about 2.9 kg heavier than the C ones (P<0.001). Feed efficiency, calculated as consumption of ME (MJ) or crude protein (g), was not different between treatments. There were also no differences in the health status and faecal score between treatments. The results of this study suggest the beneficial effect of microbial feed additive containing spores of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis for rearing calves.

The influence of dominant tree species, soil conditions and distance from an adjacent ancient oak‐hornbeam woodland upon the floristic composition, species richness and spatial distributions of species in a pine wood planted on dry rendzina soil were studied in southern Poland. It was found that, in spite of a 52‐yr long succession, the cover and composition of species in the pine wood were significantly different from that in the adjacent ancient woodland. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and stepwise regression analyses showed that the distance to the ancient woodland had a significant influence on species distributions in the recent wood. The numbers of species from the Querco‐Fagetea class, vegetatively reproducing species and myrmecochores decreased with this distance, whereas the numbers of tree species in the shrub and field layers and anemochores increased. The light intensity had a positive effect on the numbers of species in the shrub layer, non‐woodland species and anemochores. The number of woodland species increased considerably with the cover of quickly decomposing litter and with thickness of the humus layer. The migration rate of many woodland species, calculated on occurrence of the farthest individuals was very slow, varying from 0.18 m yr −1 to 0.38 m yr −1 . These results indicate that the availability of micro‐sites suitable for seed germination and plant development determined the successful colonization of the recent wood to an extent comparable with the seed dispersal.

Frequently an inherited predisposition to thrombosis remains clinically silent until an additional environmental factor intervenes. The present study aimed to assess distribution of inherited risk factors of venous thrombosis in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). The prevalences of factor V Leiden (FV Leiden), prothrombin factor II G20210A (FII G20210A), C677T and A1298C of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations were studied in 149 VTE patients and 100 controls. The following key risks were established: previous deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (23.5%), bed rest (34.2%), immobilisation of lower limb (10.1%), hospitalisation (30.9%) and obesity (28.9%). In 29 (19%) patients and in three (3%) controls FV Leiden was found. A significant association between VTE and FV Leiden was established. There were six (4%) carriers of the FII G20210A among VTE patients and one in the controls. No associations between VTE and MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T, A1298C) were found. In three of 149 patients both FV Leiden and FII G20210A polymorphisms were observed. The mean protein C activity was slightly, though nonsignificantly, smaller in VTE patients. In conclusion, there was a positive association between venous thromboembolism and factor V Leiden. Only a weak trend favouring a relationship between prothrombin factor II G20210A and venous thrombolism was present. No associations between common polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and venous thromboembolism were found.

Aim. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) is quite widespread bush occurring in Poland. Its fruits are easily available food products. The aim of this study was to investigate the basal chemical composition, especially antioxidant compounds in fresh and frozen stored blackthorn fruits. Material and methods. Research material consisted of blackthorn fruits collected from the wild grown bushes, near Łącko. In the wash-out, dried and stone-loss fruits, the content of dry matter, protein, simple sugars, dietary fi bre and ash was determined. The amount of antioxidant compounds was also tested: β-carotene, vitamin C, polyphenols, in this anthocyannins, as well as antioxidant activity expressed as an ability to quench free radical ABTS. Analyses were repeated in fruits stored in frozen state for three months. Results. On the basis of the obtained results, it was observed that concerning basal chemical composition, the blackthorn fruits do not single out among other fruits from Rosaceae family. It was also reported that blackthorn fruits are rich in polyphenolic compounds, as well as in vitamin C, and those compounds, most probably contribute to their high antioxidant activity, being at the level of 43.6 μmol Trolox/g f.m. Storage in the freezing state reduced the contents of water, fat, dietary fi ber and ash, but did not have signifi cant impact on the other compounds. Conclusions. Blackthorn fruits may constitute valuable source for preparations (tincture, wines, and teas), as well as an additive to other fruit processing, as a product of great pro-healthy properties. Freezing process and storage in that state did not signifi cantly infl uence on nutritive and antioxidant compounds of blackthorn fruits. It may be therefore observed that several months of frozen storage is a good way to make them available for fruit processing and for the consumers, also the off-season.

Production of resonances is considered in the framework of the single-freeze-out model of ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The formalism involves the virial expansion, where the probability to form a resonance in a two-body channel is proportional to the derivative of the phase shift with respect to the invariant mass. The thermal model incorporates the longitudinal and the transverse flow, as well as kinematic cuts of the STAR experiment at RHIC. We find that the shape of the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ spectral line qualitatively reproduces the preliminary experimental data when the position of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ peak is lowered. This confirms the need to include the medium effects in the description of the RHIC data. We also analyze the transverse-momentum spectra of $\ensuremath{\rho},$ ${K}^{*}{(892)}^{0},$ and ${f}_{0}(980),$ and find that the slopes agree with the observed values. Predictions are made for $\ensuremath{\eta},$ ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}},$ $\ensuremath{\omega},$ $\ensuremath{\varphi},$ $\ensuremath{\Lambda}(1520),$ and $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(1385).$

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to investigate the detection rates of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis, showing no clinical signs of an ongoing, acute inflammatory state of the vagina and/or the cenrvix, in fertile and infertile women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study encompassed 161 women, including 101 women treated for infertility and 60 fertile women who had already given birth to healthy children. The material for the presence of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, M. genitalium, M. hominis and U. urealyticum was collected from the cervical canal and analyzed by PCR. Furthermore, BD ProbeTec ET system was used to detect C. trachomatis infection. Vaginal swabs were collected for classification of bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis and assessed according to the Nugent score, as well as by traditional culture methods. RESULTS: U. urealyticum was identified in 9% of the infertile women and in 8% of controls. Presence of M. hominis was demonstrated only in the former (4%) and C. trachomatis only in latter (3%). N. gonorrhoeae and M. genitalium were not found in any of the examined women. The frequency of aerobic vaginitis in both groups was estimated at 12%. There were 7% bacterial vaginosis cases in the study group, and none in the control group (p=0.0096). CONCLUSIONS: Despite having no symptoms of an ongoing acute inflammation of the reproductive tract, many women may experience permanent or periodic shifts of equilibrium of the vaginal and/or cervical microflora. BV develops more frequently in infertile patients when compared to the fertile women.

AbstractThe monitoring of acoustic emission (AE) has allowed direct tracing of the fracturing intensity in wooden cultural objects exposed to variations in temperature and relative humidity (RH). High-frequency components produced by the mechanical fracturing were extracted from the raw AE signals using wavelet transforms. The accumulated energy of these components depended on the magnitude and rate of RH variations. The AE activity became negligible below the allowable magnitude for rapid RH variation established by numerical modelling, or when the time interval allowed for the RH variation was long enough. On-site AE monitoring of a wooden altarpiece in an historic church further confirmed the usefulness of the technique in tracing climate-induced stress in wood. The development of practical AE sensors to indicate risk to wooden objects in museums and at historic sites, or during their transportation, is discussed.The monitoring of acoustic emission (AE) has allowed direct tracing of the fracturing intensity in wooden cultural objects exposed to variations in temperature and relative humidity (RH). High-frequency components produced by the mechanical fracturing were extracted from the raw AE signals using wavelet transforms. The accumulated energy of these components depended on the magnitude and rate of RH variations. The AE activity became negligible below the allowable magnitude for rapid RH variation established by numerical modelling, or when the time interval allowed for the RH variation was long enough. On-site AE monitoring of a wooden altarpiece in an historic church further confirmed the usefulness of the technique in tracing climate-induced stress in wood. The development of practical AE sensors to indicate risk to wooden objects in museums and at historic sites, or during their transportation, is discussed.Le contrôle de l'émission acoustique (EA) a permis le traçage direct de l'intensité de fracture d'objets patrimoniaux en bois soumis à des variations de température et d'humidité relative (HR). Les composants à hautes fréquences produits par la fracture mécanique ont été extraits du signal EA brut au moyen de transformées d'ondelette. L'énergie accumulée de ces composants dépend de l'amplitude et du taux de variation de l'HR. L'activité de l'EA devenait négligeable en dessous de l'amplitude de variation rapide de l'HR autorisée, établie selon une modélisation numérique, ou quand l'intervalle de temps permis pour la variation de l'HR était suffisamment long. Sur le terrain, un contrôle de l'EA effectué sur un autel en bois dans une église a ensuite confirmé l'utilité de la technique de traçage des contraintes induites par le climat dans le bois. L'article discute du développement de capteurs pratiques pour déceler les risques au sein d'objets en bois dans les musées et les sites historiques ou encore durant leur transport.Das Monitoring der Akustischen Emission (AE) erlaubt es, das Ausmaß des Bruchverhaltens hölzerner Objekte unter dem Einfluss wechselnder Temperatur und relativer Luftfeuchtigkeit (RH) zu studieren. Hochfrequenzanteile, die beim mechanischen Brechen erzeugt werden, wurden aus dem rohen AE-Signal extrahiert. Die akkumulierte Energie dieser Komponenten hängt von dem Ausmaß der Variation der RH ab. Unterhalb einer bestimmten Magnitude ist die AE Aktivität auch bei schnellen RH-Variationen vernachlässigbar, aber auch wenn die Zeitspanne groß genug war, die für die Veränderung der RH zur Verfügung stand. Das AE-Monitoring eines Holzaltars in einer historischen Kirche bestätigte die Nützlichkeit der Technik für die Untersuchung von klimabedingtem Spannungen in Holz. Die Entwicklung praktikabler AE-Sensoren, um Risken von Holzobjekten in Museen und historischen Gebäuden oder während des Transportes anzuzeigen, wird diskutiert.La monitorización de la emisión acústica (AE) ha permitido trazar los niveles de intensidad de fractura en objetos culturales de madera expuestos a variaciones de temperatura y de humedad relativa (RH). Los componentes de alta frecuencia producidos por la fractura mecánica se extrajeron a partir de las señales puras de AE utilizando transformadores de oscilación. La energía acumulada de estos componentes depende de la magnitud y nivel de las variaciones de RH. La actividad de AE se tornaba casi nula debajo de la magnitud permitida para variaciones rápidas de RH establecidas por modelos numéricos, o cuando el intervalo del tiempo permitido para variaciones de RH era suficientemente largo. La monitorización AE in situ de un retablo de madera en una iglesia antigua confirmó la utilidad de esta técnica para trazar niveles de tensión en la madera inducidos por el clima. Se trata, así mismo, el desarrollo práctico de sensores AE para indicar el riesgo de los objetos de madera en los museos y en los enclaves históricos, así como durante su transporte.

GABAergic hypothesis of anxiety was introduced many years ago, however, a limited number of supporting data were accumulated so far and the role of GABA(B) receptors in behavioral processes related to the anxiety disorders has not been resolved. In the present study, we examined anxiolytic activity of CGP 36742, a potent and selective GABA(B) receptor antagonist, in rodent tests/models. We have demonstrated that CGP 36742 (30 mg/kg) is active in several animal tests detecting anxiolytic activity (the elevated plus-maze, conflict drinking test and four-plate test). Moreover, we examined the effects of another antagonist--CGP51176 and agonist--CGP 44532 of GABA(B) receptor in the four-plate test in mice. CGP 51176 (5 or 8 mg/kg) was inactive, while CGP 44532 (0.125 mg/kg) exhibited anxiogenic-like effect. These preclinical data further implicate GABA(B) receptor function in anxiety, and support the GABAergic hypothesis of this disorder.

N-Substituted amides and lactams are rapidly N-alkylated under solvent-free phase-transfer catalytic conditions using microwaves.

Internet of things (IoT) infrastructure, fast access to knowledge becomes critical. In some application domains, such as robotics, autonomous driving, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection, the response time of the system is more critical to ensure Quality of Service than the quality of the answer. In this paper, we propose a methodology, a set of predefined steps to be taken in order to map the models to hardware, especially field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), with the main focus on latency reduction. Multi-objective covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (MO-CMA-ES) was employed along with custom scores for sparsity, bit-width of the representation and quality of the model. Furthermore, we created a framework which enables mapping of neural models to FPGAs. The proposed solution is validated using three case studies and Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC 285 XCZU15EG as a platform. The results show a compression ratio for quantization and pruning in different scenarios with and without retraining procedures. Using our publicly available framework, we achieved 210 ns of latency for a single processing step for a model composed of two long short-term memory (LSTM) and a single dense layer.

The variability of the curve number (CN) and the retention parameter (S) of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS)-CN method in a small agricultural, lowland watershed (23.4 km2 to the gauging station) in central Poland has been assessed using the probabilistic approach: distribution fitting and confidence intervals (CIs). Empirical CNs and Ss were computed directly from recorded rainfall depths and direct runoff volumes. Two measures of the goodness of fit were used as selection criteria in the identification of the parent distribution function. The measures specified the generalized extreme value (GEV), normal and general logistic (GLO) distributions for 100-CN and GLO, lognormal and GEV distributions for S. The characteristics estimated from theoretical distribution (median, quantiles) were compared to the tabulated CN and to the antecedent runoff conditions of Hawkins and Hjelmfelt. The distribution fitting for the whole sample revealed a good agreement between the tabulated CN and the median and between the antecedent runoff conditions (ARCs) of Hawkins and Hjelmfelt, which certified a good calibration of the model. However, the division of the CN sample due to heavy and moderate rainfall depths revealed a serious inconsistency between the parameters mentioned. This analysis proves that the application of the SCS-CN method should rely on deep insight into the probabilistic properties of CN and S.

The aim of presented work was to compare the content of CLA in cream fermented using different starter culture. Two mesophilic, two yoghurt, one cheese and one thermophilic culture with addition of Propionibacterium and probiotic strains were used. The CLA and additionally linoleic and vaccenic acid content was determined by gas chromatography method after fat extraction and esterification. The type of starter culture and the time of storage have significant influence on the CLA, linoleic and vaccenic acid content in sour cream. It was found also significant interaction between these two factors in relation to content of analyzed fatty acids. Only one yoghurt starter culture ABY-2 caused an increase in the CLA content in sour cream in comparison to the content of this component in sweet cream. In the case of other starter culture the content of CLA in cream after fermentation was lower than those before fermentation. The content of linoleic and vaccenic acid was in most cases lower after fermentation and storage of cream in comparison to the content of these components in cream before fermentation. The strain of Propionibacterium used was not able to form CLA from linoleic acid in cream.