Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

Odonates (Odonata) as indicators of the natural potential of sand mine ponds (Central Europe): environmental drivers and implications for biodiversity conservation

Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) are well-recognized indicators of freshwater ecosystems; therefore, they were used to describe the natural potential of man-made habitats, i.e. sand ponds, in terms of species, ecological patterns of the occurrence of both larval and adult a...

Maps through the lens of scientific representation theories

Abstract This article examines how contemporary theories of scientific representation can shed light on the status of maps. Traditionally defined as models of geographic reality, maps are increasingly viewed not as mere reflections of the world but as complex representational con...

Thinking with Objects. Understanding Non-Representational Cognitive Artifacts

This paper defends the notion of cognitive artifacts that do not serve representational functions. Contrary to the standard account of cognitive artifacts as representational, we argue that it is possible to distinguish a special class of artifacts that fulfill cognitive roles wi...

Emotions Toward the Institution of the Church: Development of a New Measure

The aim of the study was to develop a scale for measuring emotions toward the Church as an institution. In Study 1, the initial development of the Emotions Toward the Church Scale (ETC) involved compiling a list of 91 Church-related emotions. Following evaluation by expert judges...

Comparative RP-HPTLC Lipophilicity Analysis of Bioactive 1,3,4-Thiadiazole–Resorcinol Conjugates

The behavior of bioactive 1,3,4-thiadiazoles of anticancer potency and cholinesterases (ChEs) inhibitors was examined by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) in a reversed phase (RP) system. The chromatographic systems consisted of C-18 or C-8-bonded silica as the s...

Investigations of Depth Profile of Native Oxide Layers Covering GaAs Implanted with Noble Gas by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy with Nuclear Reaction

The samples employed in the investigation were semi-insulating GaAs wafers. Noble gas has been implanted using the UNIMAS ion implanter at energy 100 keV, fluence of 3 × 1015 ions/cm2. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy with nuclear reaction analysis (RBS/NR) method was used...

More than lava flows: mapping cultural ecosystem services in Katla UNESCO geopark via user-generated content

This study advances digital tourism geographies by examining the spatial distribution of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) within the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, Iceland, using user-generated content (UGC). Drawing on 12,386 geolocated Flickr photographs collected between 2015 a...

Quantifying the Spatio-Ecological Context of Urban Nature-Based Solutions Across European Cities

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are increasingly implemented to address urban environmental challenges, yet the surrounding spatial context in which they are embedded may influence the conditions supporting their ecological functioning. This study applied an integrated remote sensin...

Symbolic sex in polish folk plant taxonomy: the case of shrub names

Abstract This article examines the role of symbolic sex in Polish folk plant taxonomy, focusing on the cultural representations of three shrubs: guelder rose ( Viburnum opulus ), hazel ( Corylus avellana ), and juniper ( Juniperus communis ). Drawing on linguistic data (plant nam...

Agentic AI-Enabled Digital Twins for Intelligent Non-Destructive Testing of 3D-Printed Rehabilitation Equipment—A Narrative Review

Digital twins (DTs) based on agent-based artificial intelligence (Agentic AI) provide a transformative framework for streamlining nondestructive testing (NDT) of 3D-printed rehabilitation equipment. This study applies a conceptual research methodology based on the integration and...

Programming and self-programming resilience in governance systems: a systems-theoretical investigation

Purpose The purpose of this article is to develop a systems-theoretical conceptualization of organizational and governance resilience under conditions of radical uncertainty. Drawing on Luhmann's theory of organizations, multifunctionality, network theory, meta-organization theor...

Red blood cell‐directed immune responses in COVID ‐19: Mechanisms, clinical evidence and implications for transfusion medicine

Abstract SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is associated with a broad spectrum of red blood cell (RBC)‐directed immune responses, ranging from isolated direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positivity to autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and transfusion‐related diagnostic challenges. This narrative...

Direct Immobilization of Living Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) Chains onto Mesoporous Silica: A Simplified Grafting-To Strategy for Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Materials

The development of straightforward and efficient strategies for the preparation of polymer-functionalized mesoporous silica remains an important challenge in the design of advanced hybrid materials. Herein, we report a novel and simplified approach to the covalent functionalizati...

Geomorphological Heritage of UNESCO Global Geoparks

Abstract The development of geotourism and geoeducation is the best way to transfer geomorphological knowledge to society. This is how, it is possible to demonstrate that it is a scientific discipline of great cognitive and applied importance. Geomorphologists should become more...

Morphological, metabolic, and chemical changes in Candida albicans cells induced by the NaQSA complex

This study examines the effects of the sodium complex of quercetin-5′-sulfonic acid (NaQSA) on Candida albicans yeast cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed a concentration-dependent decrease in viable cell numbers after incubation with NaQSA, indicating reduced cellular viabilit...

Bacterial Communities Associated with Deschampsia antarctica in Chronically Diesel-Contaminated Soils: Candidate Taxa for Microbe-Assisted Phytoremediation

More than six decades of human activity in Antarctica resulted in chronic diesel contamination of soils surrounding research stations. Phytoremediation assisted by the native vascular plant Deschampsia antarctica is one of the few remediation strategies compatible with the Antarc...

Investigation and Implementation of Analyte Protectants in the Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Benzodiazepines and Opioids in Whole Blood Extracts

ABSTRACT The determination of benzodiazepines and opioids in whole blood by gas chromatography (GC) remains challenging due to low analyte concentrations and matrix‐related effects that may compromise analytical response. In this study, the use of analyte protectants (APs) was in...

Epigenetic Modulation by Luteolin, Quercetin and Apigenin in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives

For many years, plants have long served as sources of potential therapeutic agents. Recently, there has been a growing interest in investigating the effects of plant bio-active compounds on epigenetic modulation of several processes—among them, modifications of DNA, histones, and...

Filling in the gaps: Examining the digital inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities in Poland

Background A range of barriers are preventing people with intellectual disabilities from accessing and using technology, resulting in significant digital inequalities. We need to understand how best to eliminate these inequalities. Objective The aim of the current study is to exa...

Biochar Exacerbates Nitrogen Loss in Drought-Affected Soil with Green Manure Application

The impact of biochar on N conversion in drought-affected soil with green manure application has not been systematically investigated. Therefore, this study examined the effects of biochar produced at 350 °C, 550 °C, and 750 °C (BC350, BC550, and BC750) on green manure (Medicago...