Review of Polish practices used in landscape assessment in the environmental impact assessment with a recommended procedure

The landscape impact assessment of planned developments is an important tool that supports landscape protection. As part of the analysis, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports were reviewed in terms of the methods of landscape impact assessment (LIA) and landscape visual impact assessment (LVIA). The study was conducted in two stages, which made it possible to compare analyses prepared in Poland in 2004-2017 and 2018-2022. The conclusions of the review, supported by our scientific and practical experience, were the basis for developing a diagram for preparing landscape impact assessments. Considering the specificity of the given location and the type of the planned development, we recommend taking a reliable inventory and conducting a valuation of the landscape and creating alternatives of possible changes caused by anthropogenic interference and assess them in terms of landscape consistency

Automated Recognition of Abnormalities in Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Images – Evaluation of an AI Tool for Identifying Polyps and Other Irregularities

This study investigates the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the automatic detection of pathological abnormalities in gastrointestinal endoscopic images. Specifically, it evaluates the performance of an AI tool in identifying and classifying lesions such as polyps and other irregularities, including inflammatory changes, within real-time endoscopic procedures. The primary objective is to assess the tool's diagnostic accuracy and its potential to improve lesion detection, thereby reducing the likelihood of overlooked abnormalities. Leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the AI system aims to enhance diagnostic precision and support clinicians in making prompt, evidence-based decisions. Key advantages of AI integration in endoscopy include improved sensitivity, minimized detection errors, and the potential to optimize clinical workflow efficiency. However, the study also addresses significant challenges, including the necessity for large, heterogeneous datasets for model validation, the need for standardized AI applications, and the ethical implications of AI-assisted clinical decision-making. Additionally, the potential benefits of combining AI with complementary imaging technologies, such as fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, are explored to further enhance diagnostic capabilities. In conclusion, the study highlights the promising role of AI in gastrointestinal endoscopy while underscoring the importance of continued research, algorithmic refinement, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks to fully harness its clinical potential

Urban Adaptation to Climate Change Plans and Policies – the Conceptual Framework of a Methodological Approach

The adaptation of urbanised areas to climate change is currently one of the key challenges in the domain of urban policy. The diversity of environmental determinants requires the formulation of individual plans dedicated to the most significant local issues. This article serves as a methodic proposition for the stage of retrieving data (with the PESTEL and the Delphic method), systemic diagnosis (evaluation of risk and susceptibility), prognosis (goal trees, goal intensity map) and the formulation of urban adaptation plans. The suggested solution complies with Polish guidelines for establishing adaptation plans. The proposed methodological approach guarantees the participation of various groups of stakeholders in the process of working on urban adaptation plans, which is in accordance with the current tendencies to strengthen the role of public participation in spatial management

Automated Recognition of Abnormalities in Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Images – Evaluation of an AI Tool for Identifying Polyps and Other Irregularities

This study investigates the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the automatic detection of pathological abnormalities in gastrointestinal endoscopic images. Specifically, it evaluates the performance of an AI tool in identifying and classifying lesions such as polyps and other irregularities, including inflammatory changes, within real-time endoscopic procedures. The primary objective is to assess the tool's diagnostic accuracy and its potential to improve lesion detection, thereby reducing the likelihood of overlooked abnormalities. Leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the AI system aims to enhance diagnostic precision and support clinicians in making prompt, evidence-based decisions. Key advantages of AI integration in endoscopy include improved sensitivity, minimized detection errors, and the potential to optimize clinical workflow efficiency. However, the study also addresses significant challenges, including the necessity for large, heterogeneous datasets for model validation, the need for standardized AI applications, and the ethical implications of AI-assisted clinical decision-making. Additionally, the potential benefits of combining AI with complementary imaging technologies, such as fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, are explored to further enhance diagnostic capabilities. In conclusion, the study highlights the promising role of AI in gastrointestinal endoscopy while underscoring the importance of continued research, algorithmic refinement, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks to fully harness its clinical potential

Pharmacokinetic and behavioral characterization of a longterm antipsychotic delivery system in rodents and rabbits

Rationale: Non-adherence with medication remains the major correctable cause of poor outcome in schizophrenia. However, few treatments have addressed this major determinant of outcome with novel long-term delivery systems. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide biological proof of concept for a long-term implantable antipsychotic delivery system in rodents and rabbits. Materials and methods: Implantable formulations of haloperidol were created using biodegradable polymers. Implants were characterized for in vitro release and in vivo behavior using prepulse inhibition of startle in rats and mice, as well as pharmacokinetics in rabbits. Results: Behavioral measures demonstrate the effectiveness of haloperidol implants delivering 1 mg/kg in mice and 0.6 mg/kg in rats to block amphetamine (10 mg/kg) in mice or apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg) in rats. Additionally, we demonstrate the pattern of release from single polymer implants for 1 year in rabbits. Conclusions: The current study suggests that implantable formulations are a viable approach to providing long-term delivery of antipsychotic medications in vivo using animal models of behavior and pharmacokinetics. In contrast to depot formulations, implantable formulations could last 6 months or longer. Additionally, implants can be removed throughout the delivery interval, offering a degree of reversibility not available with depot formulations

The Impact of a Large City on Land Use in Suburban Area – the Case of Wrocław (Poland)

Land use and the landscape of the suburban area are strongly affected by the impact of a large city, which is an important factor determining their development. The paper presents the results of analyses of the functional and spatial transformations depending on the distance from city limits and main access roads. The analyses were based on CORINE data for the years: 1990, 2000 and 2006. The spatial transformations in the specified distance buffers were described with use of the indicator of the share of specific land use areas in the total surface area and the indicator of the average landscape patch surface area. The conducted analyses confirm that the spatial patterns characteristic for suburbanisation exist in the vicinity of large cities and along access roads. The phenomena noticed in the suburban zone of Wrocław include, among others, an increased share of surface area used for residential purposes, a decreased area of arable lands, and an increased concentration of commercial and industrial areas in the direct proximity of the city and access roads

On the Audibility of Electric Guitar Tonewood

Electric guitar manufacturers have used tropical woods in guitar production for decades claiming it as beneficiary to the quality of the instruments. These claims have often been questioned by guitarists but now, with many voices raising concerns regarding the ecological sustainability of such practices, the topic becomes even more important. Efforts to find alternatives must begin with a greater understanding of how tonewood affects the timbre of an electric guitar. The presented study examined how the sound of a simplified electric guitar changes with the use of various wood species. Multiple sounds were recorded using a specially designed test setup and their analysis showed differences in both spectral envelope and the generated signal level. The differences between the acoustic characteristics of tones produced by the tonewood samples explored in the study were larger than the just noticeable differences reported for the respective characteristics in the literature. To verify these findings an informal listening test was conducted which showed that sounds produced with different tonewoods were distinguishable to the average listener

Cooling Modelling of an Electrically Heated Ceramic Heat Accumulator

This paper presents a simple novel mathematical model of a heat accumulator with an arranged packing in the form of ceramic cylinders. The accumulator analysed in the paper can be heated with inexpensive electricity overnight or excess electricity from wind farms. It can be used as a heat source in a hydronic heating system or for domestic hot water. The differential equations describing the transient temperature of the accumulator packing and flowing air were solved using the explicit Euler and Crank–Nicolson methods. The accuracy of both methods was assessed using exact analytical solutions and the superposition method for a uniform initial temperature and accounted for time changes in inlet air temperature. A numerical simulation of the accumulator cooled by flowing air was carried out. The correlation for the air-side Nusselt number was determined using the method of least squares based on experimental data. The calculated exit air temperature was compared with the measured data. The accumulator can operate as a heat source with dynamic discharge. The developed mathematical model of the accumulator can be used in a system to adjust the fan rotational speed so that the air temperature in the room is equal to the preset temperature