Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences

The study involved a gross anatomical description of the parotid gland, mandibular gland, monostomatic sublingual gland, polystomatic sublingual gland, and zygomatic gland in 12 adult Eurasian wolves (Canis lupus lupus) (wild free-ranging individuals and their zoo counterparts), including their morphometry and microscopic evaluation using hematoxylin & eosin, mucicarmine, azan trichrome, PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5; AB pH 2.5/PAS, and HDI stainings. Topographically, the salivary glands were located similarly to those of other terrestrial Carnivora. The parotid gland in all wolves had a shape similar to a trapezoid (four angles). The parotid duct opened onto the fourth upper premolar (P4). The parotid gland was a branched alveolar complex that produced serous secretion. In captive specimens, the mandibular gland was a complex branched tubular gland producing mucous secretion, while in free-ranging wolves it was a branched tubuloalveolar gland producing mucoserous secretion. The monostomatic sublingual gland in free-ranging wolves was a complex branched tubuloalveolar gland that produced seromucous secretion, while in captive wolves, it revealed a mucoserous secretion character. The polystomatic sublingual gland consisted of several independent packets (from 6–7 to 7–8) and was a complex branched tubuloalveolar gland with seromucous secretion. The zygomatic duct opened onto the last upper molar tooth (M3), and this gland was a complex branched tubular gland producing mucous secretion. The anatomical and histological similarities between the salivary glands of the oral cavity in captive and free-ranging wolves, compared to other terrestrial carnivores, provide valuable insights for veterinary treatments and understanding pathological conditions. These findings emphasize the need for further research on diverse populations of wolves and related species within the Canidae family to better understand the influence of diet on salivary gland morphology.

Load‐frequency control (LFC) is essential for maintaining system stability and ensuring high power quality in microgrids (MGs), particularly those heavily reliant on renewable energy sources (RES) and operating independently of the main grid. This paper introduces a novel control strategy aimed at improving LFC performance in interconnected MGs by correcting the error signal. The proposed controller, denoted as TIDA+1, combines tilt, integrator, derivative, and acceleration operators in a parallel configuration to refine the incoming error signal. The controller parameters are optimized using a modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with nonlinear time‐varying acceleration coefficients (NTVAC). The controller's effectiveness is validated through four distinct scenarios, including sudden load variations, system modeling uncertainties, fluctuations in RES outputs, and the impact of nonlinearities. Additionally, a lab‐scale evaluation of the controller has been conducted to further assess its practical applicability. Comparative results demonstrate that the TIDA+1 controller outperforms traditional controllers such as PID and FOPID, especially under complex operational conditions. The study highlights the TIDA+1 controller as a robust and viable solution for LFC in MGs, with potential for future scalability and application in larger systems.

Frost heave in soils is a significant problem of geotechnical engineering. Despite the introduction of numerous simplified frost susceptibility criteria, there is still no clear relationship between the particle size distribution and their frost heaving susceptibility. Therefore, an experimental attempt was made to link the graining features of the four soils with the mechanisms of the formation of frost heave. The main aim of the study is to determine the influence of the content of silt and clay fractions on the height of the frost heave. The tested soils were characterized by a varied content of the silt fraction, which, together with smaller ones, amounted to 30%, 40%, 50% and 70%, and a variable content of the clay fraction amounting to 0%, 0%, 21% and 5% in individual soils, respectively. For the purposes of the experiment, a test stand was constructed that allows for testing 6 identical samples at a time. The tests were carried out in an open-system test, i.e. with the possibility of water flowing into the freezing zone. The total freezing process was carried out at -10°C and lasted 160 hours. On the basis of the obtained results of the increase in the height of the samples, it was shown that the silt with the highest total content of silt and clay fractions of 70% shows the highest frost heave and the smallest increase in the height of the samples in the freezing process is shown by sandy silt with the lowest sum of both these fractions. On the basis of the analysis of the results of the tested soils, it was found that the height of the frost heave was influenced by the presence of the clay fraction, but in connection with the presence of the silt fraction. In the frost heave soils, the content of the silt fraction influences the amount of the frost heave to the extent of more than two times smaller than the content of the clay fraction.

Background Treponemal diseases are a significant global health risk, presenting challenges to public health and severe consequences to individuals if left untreated. Despite numerous genomic studies on Treponema pallidum and the known possible biases introduced by the choice of the reference genome used for mapping, few investigations have addressed how these biases affect phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis of these bacteria. In this study, we ascertain the importance of selecting an appropriate genomic reference on phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses of T. pallidum. Results We designed a multiple-reference-based (MRB) mapping strategy using four different reference genomes and compared it to traditional single-reference mapping. To conduct this comparison, we created a genomic dataset comprising 77 modern and ancient genomes from the three subspecies of T. pallidum, including a newly sequenced seventeenth century genome (35X mean coverage) of a syphilis-causing strain (designated as W86). Our findings show that recombination detection was consistent across different references, but the choice of reference significantly affected ancient genome reconstruction and phylogenetic inferences. The high-coverage W86 genome introduced in this study also provided a new calibration point for Bayesian molecular clock dating, improving the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of treponemal diseases. Additionally, we identified novel recombination events, positive selection targets, and refined dating estimates for key events in the species’ history. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of considering methodological implications and reference genome bias in high-throughput sequencing-based whole-genome analysis of T. pallidum, especially of ancient or low-coverage samples, contributing to a deeper understanding of the treponemal pathogen and its subspecies.

In recent years, deep neural networks have been employed increasingly often, which correlates with them receiving growing user trust. However, such systems cannot identify samples from unknown classes and often induce an incorrect decision with high confidence. This is aimed to be solved by open set recognition methods. The presented work looks at the evaluation protocols of existing approaches in the field. A particular focus is being placed on the impact of class imbalance, especially in the dichotomy between known and unknown samples, which is a rarely considered factor in the experimental environment. The work analyzes current evaluation strategies—regarding dataset construction and metric selection—noting that the class imbalance can significantly impact the obtained results. We analyze the effect of using the popular baseline metrics (accuracy, balanced accuracy, and F1-score) for method quality assessment and introduce a protocol extension to four recognition quality measures that can be built upon those baselines. The analysis of base measures revealed that the choice of baseline metric could significantly impact the computed criterion values when the class imbalance of the recognized problem appears. The proposed experimental environment was used in an example experiment on commonly used computer vision datasets. As an outcome of problem analysis, we present a set of guidelines for evaluating open set recognition methods.

The research article assesses the interrelationship among energy consumption, environmental degradation, and institutional standards in Australia by applying the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag simulation model covering the duration of 1985–2021. Variables such as environmental policy stringency, inflation, FDI inflow, FDI outflow, and environmental related taxes were incorporated to explore the impact of the selected series on environmental deterioration. According to the dynamic ARDL simulation and correlation matrix estimations, electricity production, FDI inflow, and inflation have a pragmatic impact on environmental deterioration. Further, FDI outflow, environmental-related taxes, institutional standards, and renewable energy consumption were identified to have an inverse impact on environmental degradation; implying that, these factors help to mitigate environmental deterioration and improve its standards and sustainability in Australia. Moreover, the econometric estimation shows that the model’s variables spell out 87% of the variation in environmental sustainability. Renewable energy consumption leads to a decrease in emissions, with a short-term reduction of 2.5% and a long-term reduction of 1.6% for each unit increase. Environmental taxes play a significant role in decreasing emissions in the short-run (2.1%) and the long-run (5.8%). The quality of institutions contributes in reducing emissions by 0.8% and 0.7% in the short and long-term, respectively, emphasizing the importance of strong governance. However, a 1% increase in electricity production results in a rise in emissions by 1% in the short term and 1.5% in the long term, emphasizing the critical need for a transition to cleaner energy sources. Fundamental policy implications are outlined based on our findings.

In this study, a nanocomposite based on copper oxide–zinc oxide nanoparticles and Gum Arabic (GA@CuO–ZnO nanocomposite) was successfully synthesized using green method. Characterization results revealed that the prepared nanocomposite appeared at the nanoscale level, showed excellent dispersion, and formed stable colloidal nano-solutions. The bimetallic GA@CuO–ZnO nanocomposite was evaluated for its anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Cytotoxicity testing of the synthesized GA@CuO–ZnO nanocomposite against Wi38 and Vero normal cell lines showed IC50 values of 143.3 and 220.9 μg ml⁻¹, respectively, indicating that the nanocomposite is safe for use. Moreover, the synthesized GA@CuO–ZnO nanocomposite showed anticancer activity against HepG2 and MCF7 cell lines, with IC50 values of 54.7 and 79.2 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. The nanocomposite also showed promising antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis, and Bacillus subtilis, with MIC values ranging from 31.25 to 62.5 μg ml⁻¹. Furthermore, the prepared nanocomposite exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. brasiliensis, with an MIC of 31.25 μg ml⁻¹ against all tested fungal strains, except A. fumigatus (MIC 125 μg ml⁻¹). In conclusion, the synthesized GA@CuO–ZnO nanocomposite was successfully synthesized, and it exhibited promising antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities at safe doses.

Several new vertebrate and plant taphocoenoses of fluvial origin have been found in central Ukraine, within the area previously covered with till of the late Chibanian Dnipro glacier. These finds represent a timespan from the late Dnipro glacial to the Pryluky interglacial of the regional stratigraphic scheme of Ukraine and fill an important palaeofaunistic gap: arcto‐boreal species have been revealed for the first time in deposits of the Dnipro/ Kaidaky, Tiasmyn and an intra‐Pryluky cold interval. The appearance of the collared lemming, the Northern red-backed vole and the ptarmigan marks the most extreme periods of cooling, but even during these extremes arcto‐boreal forms did not dominate (or at least, they do not dominate in taphocoenoses). Similarly, a few warm‐loving species appear only during interglacials. The tundra–steppe semblance of vertebrate fauna remains generally stable during this time. The new findings were also used to test existing models of correlation between the stratigraphic scheme of Ukraine and Marine Isotope Stages (MIS). For this, we used the Arvicola interval‐zones: the zone of the extinct water vole Arvicola chosaricus, which, in the studied area, covers the Dnipro, Kaidaky and Tiasmyn stages, and of the extant A. amphibius of the Pryluky interglacial and subsequent time periods. In different parts of Europe, replacement between these two species took place from MIS 6–MIS 5 to MIS 5. Thus if you rely exclusively on the Arvicola interval‐zones and consider the full size of the interregional geographical variation, the Tiasmyn with the latest A. chosaricus might represent both MIS 6 and a cold interval within MIS 5. For further refinement of the correlation, we use the newly discovered taphocoenoses with a clear stratigraphic sequence, together with the Matviivka locality, which was studied by one of the authors previously. Most of these taphocoenoses have a clear stratigraphic relation to the Dnipro till and (or) to each other (incision, superposition). Together with the above‐mentioned climatic signal, these proxies support the correlation of the Dnipro glacial with MIS 6, the Kaidaky interglacial with MIS 5e, the Tiasmyn cold interval with MIS 5d, and the Pryluky interglacial with MIS 5c and younger.

Equine endometrosis is a major cause of infertility in mares and is characterized by degenerative, functional and fibrotic changes in the endometrium with increased collagen (COL) deposition. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is one of the major pro-fibrotic factors involved in the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the equine endometrium. It has been demonstrated that ovarian steroids, specifically 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), not only regulate the cyclicity of the estrous cycle, but also have been implicated as anti- or pro-fibrotic factors. This study aimed to evaluate (i) the effect of E2 and P4 on the expression of ECM-associated genes including COL1A1, COL3A1, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs): MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13, and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs): TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in equine endometrial fibroblasts, and (ii) the effect of ovarian steroids on TGF-β1-induced COL1 expression in equine endometrial explants from the follicular and mid-luteal phases of the estrous cycle. The mRNA expression of ECM-associated genes in endometrial fibroblasts and TGF-β1-induced COL1 expression in endometrial explants was modulated by ovarian steroids, with variations depending on the type of steroid and the duration of treatment. Moreover, P4 decreased TGF-β1-induced COL1 protein abundance in the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle after 48 h (p < 0.05). The results of our study indicate that during the estrous cycle, the ovarian steroids E2 or P4 may act directly on endometrial fibroblasts, thereby affecting the expression of genes involved in tissue remodeling, namely MMPs and TIMPs. Furthermore, P4 appears to affect not only the ECM-associated genes in endometrial fibroblasts, but also to attenuate the pro-fibrotic action of TGF-β1 in the mid-luteal stage of the estrous cycle.

This study introduces a circular and economic strategy to produce reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from recovered carbon black (rCB). Using a modified Hummers method followed by chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO), this approach addresses environmental concerns while offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional rGO precursors. Furthermore, the effects of stirring duration (24 and 48 hours) on the rCB-to-rGO conversion process were examined to optimize production. The rCB-based rGO materials were characterized by N₂ adsorption/desorption, SEM, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, and XPS. Results showed a notable increase in BET surface area (149 m²/g) and pore volume (0.350 cm³/g) with enhanced thermal stability. SEM analysis confirmed the successful reduction of GO, revealing folded graphene sheets and morphological changes in rCB during the conversion process. FT-IR spectra provided supporting evidence, showing that O-H and C-O vibration modes either disappeared or diminished in intensity after reduction of GO, which was further validated by XPS. Raman spectroscopy results, reflected by increased ID/IG ratios (0.982 and 1.017) in rGO samples, indicated the restoration of sp² carbon structures and a reduction in the average sp² domain sizes. XRD analysis clarified the formation mechanisms of various phases during oxidation (MnPO₄∙H₂O, MnPO₄∙1.5H₂O, Mn, and MnO) and reduction (Mn₃(PO₄)₂∙2H₂O, K₃H₃(PO₄)₂, K₂HPO₄, and Mn₂O₃). This research introduces novel insights into the transformative potential of converting rCB into rGO through chemical processes, offering innovative pathways for advancing sustainable material production.

The growing complexity of machinery and the increasing demand for operational efficiency and safety have driven the development of advanced fault diagnosis techniques. Among these, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have emerged as a powerful tool, offering robust and accurate fault detection and classification capabilities. This comprehensive review delves into the application of CNNs in machine fault diagnosis, covering its theoretical foundation, architectural variations, and practical implementations. The strengths and limitations of CNNs are analyzed in this domain, discussing their effectiveness in handling various fault types, data complexities, and operational environments. Furthermore, we explore the evolving landscape of CNN-based fault diagnosis, examining recent advancements in data augmentation, transfer learning, and hybrid architectures. Finally, the future research directions and potential challenges to further enhance the application of CNNs for reliable and proactive machine fault diagnosis are highlighted.

Observations of representatives of Trombidium at one locality over two subsequent years revealed the syntopic occurrence of three species: T. holosericeum, T. brevimanum, and T. heterotrichum. The separate identities of the species, which were initially supported by morphological evidence, were confirmed with a molecular approach (COI sequence data) complemented by molecular species delimitation tools (ABGD, ASAP) and phylogenetic inference. Laboratory rearing of ovigerous females of T. heterotrichum resulted in obtaining hitherto unknown larvae of the species. The first characteristic of the larvae is supplemented with extended biometrical data and data on the biology and ecology of the species. We hypothesize that at syntopic and synchronous occurrence of Trombidium spp., the host spectrum contributes to the niche segregation.

The study aimed to analyse the seasonal variability of phosphorus concentrations and phosphorus content and the impact of catchment development of the Panew Mała River. The study presents the findings of a two-year experimental investigation (comprising 17 measurement series across 12 measurement cross-sections) into the concentration of phosphorus (P) and its soluble form, orthophosphates (PO42−). The mean phosphate concentrations were found to be low, with a range of 0.03 to 0.08 PO42− mg∙dm−3. In contrast, the total phosphorus concentrations were relatively high, with a range of 0.11 to 0.43 mg∙dm−3 The seasonal variability was analysed based on quarterly means and half-yearly periods covering quarters II and III (spring–summer) and quarters I and IV (autumn–winter), respectively. The analysis of spatial variability was conducted using cluster analysis according to Ward’s method, with the Euclidean distance employed as a measure of distance and the results related to the utilisation of different catchment area. Due to the slight differences in the phosphate concentration, the total phosphorus concentration was analysed in detail. The analysis of variance showed no significant differences between phosphorus concentrations in certain quarters, while greater variations were obtained for half-yearly periods. The applied method of grouping the sampling sites made it possible to distinguish several groups of sampling sites, which indicate relations between the values of phosphorus concentration in the waters of Mała Panew and the type of use of the catchment area.

The skin of the Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ) is covered by a form of armour formed mainly of scales, which often co‐occur with osteoderms. Scales are keratinized, non‐mineralized structures in the uppermost layer of the epidermis that are in contact with each other to form a system in which individual scales are isolated from each other by a softer skin fold zone. In the Varanus , the surface of the scales is flat and smooth (thoracic limb, abdomen, and tail areas), domed and smooth (head area) or domed with conical ornamentation (dorsal surface, pelvic limb—dorsal surface areas). In contrast, osteoderms are mineralized structures that are an integral part of the skin, located below the epidermal surface and positioned parallel (head, tail, thoracic limb‐dorsal surface, thoracic limb‐palmar surface, and tail) or obliquely (pelvic limb‐dorsal surface, groin, abdomen) to the surface. Regardless of the body region, osteoderms are structures that are completely anchored in the dermis, and their surface is smooth and devoid of ornamentation. Tangential sections of the osteoderms demonstrate concentric resting lines. Histological sections of the varanid dermis show the presence of collagen bundles, parallel interlacing or crossing bundles of collagen fibers of varying thickness and degree of compactness, accompanied by muscle fibers. In the area of skin close to the osteoderm, loosely arranged bundles of collagen fibers are present, while in the zone distal to the osteoderm, a compact arrangement of these fibers is present. This study documents the morphological diversity and distribution of osteoderms and scales in selected areas of the body of V. komodoensis . Scales are characterized by a high polymorphism related to body region, while osteoderms show a high morphological similarity independent of the area of occurrence.

Gas leak detection is one of the most vital issues in the mining and energy industries. Despite many highly specific and sensitive laser-based spectroscopic systems available on the market, the universal optical gas leak detector is still unattainable. In this paper we demonstrate the laser gas sensing setup capable of indirect detection of virtually any gas leaks using differential optical dispersion spectroscopy of oxygen near 761 nm. A semi-fiber interferometric setup with two multi-pass gas cells yields a signal proportional to the difference in O2 concentrations between two equal optical path length Herriott multipass cells, which is used to detect leaks of the non-absorbent nitrogen by sensing the dilution of atmospheric oxygen. This new kind of sensor could become a substantial contribution to developing gas-related industries, such as hydrogen fuel storage and transmission.

Milk and dairy products are considered important sources of nutrients in human nutrition due to their content of high-quality protein, minerals, vitamins, and energy [...]

Wound and injury healing processes are intricate and multifaceted, involving a sequence of events from coagulation to scar tissue formation. Effective wound management is crucial for achieving favorable clinical outcomes. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying wound healing, inflammation, and regeneration is essential for developing innovative therapeutics. This review explored the interplay of cellular and molecular processes contributing to wound healing, focusing on inflammation, innervation, angiogenesis, and the role of cell surface adhesion molecules. Additionally, it delved into the significance of calcium signaling in skeletal muscle regeneration and its implications for regenerative medicine. Furthermore, the therapeutic targeting of cellular senescence for long-term wound healing was discussed. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as quantitative imaging and computational modeling, has revolutionized the current approach of wound healing dynamics. The review also highlighted the role of nanotechnology in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, particularly in the development of nanomaterials and nano–bio tools for promoting wound regeneration. Moreover, emerging nano–bio interfaces facilitate the efficient transport of biomolecules crucial for regeneration. Overall, this review provided insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of wound healing and regeneration, emphasizing the significance of interdisciplinary approaches and innovative technologies in advancing regenerative therapies. Through harnessing the potential of nanoparticles, bio-mimetic matrices, and scaffolds, regenerative medicine offers promising avenues for restoring damaged tissues with unparalleled precision and efficacy. This pursuit marks a significant departure from traditional approaches, offering promising avenues for addressing longstanding challenges in cellular and tissue repair, thereby significantly contributing to the advancement of regenerative medicine.

A comprehensive study of excitonic properties of 2D layered perovskites is provided, with an emphasis on understanding and controlling the exciton fine structure. First, an overview of the optical properties is presented, discussing the challenges in determining the bandgap and exciton binding energies. Through magneto‐optical spectroscopic measurements (up to B = 140 T), scaling laws are established for exciton binding energy as a function of the band gap and the diamagnetic coefficient. Using an in‐plane magnetic field, the exciton fine structure for various 2D perovskites is examined to measure the energy splitting between the excitonic levels. The exciton fine structure and exchange interaction are correlated with structural parameters, employing an effective mass model, to highlight the role of steric effect on the exchange interaction. These findings reveal that lattice distortions, introduced by organic spacers, significantly influence the exchange interaction, driving a tunable energy spacing between dark and bright excitons. This unique feature of 2D perovskites, not present in other semiconductors, offers a novel tuning mechanism for exciton control, making these materials highly promising for efficient light emitters and advanced quantum technologies.

The veal niche market is gaining momentum in Brazil. Locally known as ‘Vitelão’, veal refers to the meat from calves slaughtered up to 12 months of age. In this study, we assessed the Galician Blond × Nelore cross as a candidate to produce veal. The aim of this study was to establish criteria for selecting 12-month-old calves suitable for slaughter. To find the best fit, we adjusted various growth models for calves up to 12 months of age. Once the best fit was determined, the selected growth model was then used to calculate the relative and instantaneous growth rates to evaluate the slaughtering potential at 12 months. Our study reveals that, under present conditions, the Logistic model is the best fit for characterizing and functionally analyzing growth from birth to 12 months of age in Galician Blond crosses with Nelore. Calves resulting from this cross experience rapid growth in their first 12 months of life, making them an excellent choice for producing high-quality veal while maintaining rusticity and adaptability to extreme environments. The results of this study could contribute to enhancing the growth management systems of Galician Blond and Nelore crosses in Brazilian grazing production systems. Additionally, they can be incorporated into genetic improvement programs as a tool for selecting animals with greater precocious growth without altering adult weight.