Polish Collection Research Articles

The History of the Polish Collection and Programming at the Chicago Public Library

The History of the Polish Collection and Programming at the Chicago Public Library

A Rapid and Inexpensive PCR Test for Mastitis Diagnosis Based on NGS Data.

Mastitis is a common mammary gland disease of dairy cattle caused by a wide range of organisms including bacteria, fungi and algae. Mastitis contributes to economic losses of dairy farms due to reduced yield and poor quality of milk. Since the correct identification of pathogens responsible for the development of mastitis is crucial to the success of treatment, it is necessary to develop a quick and accurate test to distinguish the main pathogens causing this disease. In this paper, we describe the development of a test based on the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method allowing for the identification of Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus. When creating our test, we relied on the results from new generation sequencing (NGS) for accurate determination of species affiliation. The multiplex PCR test was verified on 100 strains including veterinary samples, ATCC and Polish Collection of Microorganisms (PCM) reference strains. The obtained results indicate that this test is accurate and displays high specificity. It may serve as a valuable molecular tool for the detection of major mastitis pathogens.

Adoracja Matki Boskiej w asyście dwóch świętych Janów w zbiorach Katedry Wawelskiej

There is a canvas (98,5 x 222,5cm) in the Wawel Cathedral that is not connected with any existing or historically documented altars inside the church (il. 1-3). Owing to its shape it has so far been considered to have been a predella, which - taking into account its size and proportions - seems rather unlikely. It may have been the top of the middle part of a retable, possibly in an altar dedicated to the two St. Johns. The painting presents the Virgin Mary with the Child seated under a canopy, attended by the two Saints, adored by kneeling angels with censers in their hands. A graphic model of the scene has been found; it is an engraving by Jan Sadeler (1550-1600) based on a design by Hans von Aachen (1552-1615), released in Munich in 1589 (il. 4). In Albertina, in Vienna, a working copy of the graphic made by Hans von Aachen has been preserved (il. 5) as well as a composition sketch by the same artist at the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum in Braunschweig. An inscription on the drawing from 1589 reads: POENA ET PROEMIVM; there are also quotations from psalms and a dedication to Phillip Wilhelm (1576-1598), bishop of Regenzburg in 1589, later cardinal (1596), son of a Bavarian ruler Wilhelm V Wittelsbach (1548-1626). The young hierarch got it in the year of his consecration as a bishop. A pendant to it is the plate by Jan Sadeler of 1590, after Peter Candid (1548-1628), which was dedicated to Phillip Wilhelm’s younger brother - Ferdinand (1577-1650), later bishop of Cologne. The engraving also shows St. Mary with the Child in the company of St. Stephen and St. Laurence. Both works coincide with the artistic activity of Jan Sadeler and Hans von Achen in Munich, where they were summoned by Wilhelm V, and represent strictly planned art created for his court. Another painted version of Sadeler’s engraving was found in a Polish private collection. This is a small, good painting on panel, faithfully reproducing physiognomy and inscriptions known from the prototype. The picture in the Wawel Cathedral, probably painted in Cracow between 1600-1630 and based on the Munich model, is one of the examples of assimilating mannerist engravings from southern Germany in the Cracow environment. Their large influx into Little Poland at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century may be connected with animated contacts of Sigismund I ll’s court with Bavaria and its artistic centres such as Augsburg, the main purveyor of goldsmith’s work for the Polish king’s court.

The Saint of the Time of the Plague—Szymon of Lipnica OFM († 1482) and his Liber Miraculorum: An Example of the Late-Medieval Polish Collection of Miracles

ABSTRACT Simon of Lipnica, who died in 1482, was counted among the blessed in 1685, has been a saint of the Catholic Church since 2007, and was a Franciscan Observant associated with the priory founded by Johannes of Capestrano in the suburb of Krakow, is one of the not fully recognized figures building the image of Polish religious culture. After his death, a “miracle office” was established in the Bernardine priory, where miraculous events through the intercession of Simon were recorded meticulously on an ongoing basis. In this way, the largest Polish late-medieval collection de miraculis was created. Drawing from the new critical edition, this article presents this monument not only in the context of the first years of Simon’s “miracle office” but also in the context of the development of the miraculum as a literary genre.

Unknown manuscripts from the Polish language collection of the National Library in Kiev: source presentation

The article is devoted to the studying unknown Polish archives on the territory of Podol, Volhyn and Kyiv region in the 17th–20th centuries, which are kept in the collection of the Manuscripts Institute in the W.I. Vernadski National Library of Ukraine.The article describes the newly established collection of Polish documents, focusing on the manuscript heritage of Roman Catholic monasteries, the sources of Polish education in the 19th century (Liceum Krzemieniecki), and mentions unknown autographs of Polish artists in the eastern borderlands in 19th century and other interesting facts.The collection is a real treasure for the researcher of the Polish heritage of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The Use of the Polish Germplasm Collection of Nicotiana tabacum in Research and Tobacco Breeding for Disease Resistance

The Polish germplasm collection of Nicotiana tabacum was started in the 1920s. Up to now, more than eight hundred accessions originating from different regions of the world have been gathered in the collection. It includes valuable breeding lines and obsolete cultivars, among them cytoplasmic male-sterile lines. Numerous cultivars are rich sources of features desired in tobacco breeding. Therefore, the accessions are continually characterised in terms of their various features, one of the most important of which is disease resistance. Much research is being done to explain the nature of resistance and its genetic basis. Moreover, cultivars with good agronomic characteristics are used in wide hybridisation, being recipients of resistance genes from wild species or are genetically modified with transgenes conditioning resistance. The biological diversity of cultivars also allows a proper selection of plant material for pathogen studies, while the large number of the accessions facilitates research into the conditions for long seed storage. Numerous examples of the use of Polish tobacco germplasm in research and breeding, specifically in disease resistance, have been presented in this paper.

Revisiting the differential diagnosis of the lucent bone lesion: A case of fibrous dysplasia discovered in a Polish medieval osteological collection

AbstractIn the short report published by Siek and Spinek, the femoral metaphyseal lesion in question was described as potentially the first described case of a simple bone cyst (SBC) from a Polish background. However, on review of the single radiograph available, we feel the primary and differential diagnoses offered are misleading from a radiographic perspective, with the imaging features overall favoring fibrous dysplasia—probable cystic subtype. As magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a histological diagnosis would not be possible in skeletonized remains, the diagnosis must rest on opinion‐based radiology. In this commentary, we illustrate why fibrous dysplasia is the most likely radiological diagnosis and describe why the differentials offered in the original article should not be entertained.

The history of the keyboard instrument MNP I 49 from the Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań. the state of research

The keyboard instrument MNP I 49 from the Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań has not been a subject of detailed academic studies yet, but there have been mentions of it in various types of publications throughout the years. The item is currently placed in the exhibition hall devoted to the art of the Baroque era in the Museum of Applied Arts in Poznań. It is a unique historical item in the Polish collection due to a very scarce number of harpsichords preserved in Poland. This situation is mainly a result of two world wars in the 20th century. Due to not enough available sources, the exact time of the creation of the instrument and the name of its builder were impossible to determine. The aim of the present article was to compile and arrange previous knowledge about the historical item MNP I 49. The work lists source materials and publications in which the instrument was mentioned, such as documents from the National Archive in Poznań, Raczyński Library in Poznań and National Museum Archive in Poznań. Based on the available source materials, the author was able to determine that the harpsichord appeared at the Skórzewski family’s palace in Czerniejewo before 1855.

A rare case of pancraniosynostosis observed in a historical skull from the 19 th century cranial collection named “Królestwo Polskie” (“Polish Kingdom”)

Rare diseases are a challenge in paleopathological research, mainly due to the ambiguity of skeletal signs, bad preservation state of the material, and lack of the reference material. The aim of our article is to present the skull characterized by the decreased values of the metrical traits and numerous pathological features of the cranial morphology and make an attempt to determine the possible cause of the observed anomalies. The subject of our study is a cranium No KP 131 belonging to Polish skeletal collection named „Polish Kingdom”. We used both standard anthropometric methods, as well as the imaging techniques to detect the probable causes of the observed pathological changes. This specimen presents a complex of pathologies. Decreased values of the metrical features, thinning of the lateral walls of the neurocranium and the presence of platybasia were probably caused by premature closure of all main cranial sutures. Pathologies observed in cranium No 131 XIX might have had a common cause in some form of syndromic disorders.

Street architectural models. Research on improving readability, ergonomics and safety of use

In the first decade of the new millennium, new urban furniture - tactile architectural models dedicated to the blind, began to appear in the spaces of Polish cities and towns. These facilities aroused great interest of tourists and city dwellers, enjoying special popularity among children. By 2017, this type of collection had over 70 objects, which placed Poland at the forefront of Europe. The new form of urban modelling dispelled spontaneously, without specific guidelines and regulations, which unfortunately led to the emergence and reproduction of many faulty solutions. In the years 2016 - 2018, the research team A. Kłopotowska, M. Kłopotowski conducted the first comprehensive research in Poland, based on analyses of the whole set of models, available until mid-2017. This text is the substantive continuation of the author’s 2017 publication entitled: Tactile architectural models as universal “urban furniture” (WMCAUS Conference, 2017). At that time, partial results of the research were presented, including the reasons for a street modelling career, the diversity of the Polish collection, problems arising from incorrect design, execution, sharing and use, and the reasons for faulty solutions. Currently, the author presents a report of the final stage of the team’s research to the date, consisting of the development of specific design and implementation guidelines, as well as technical and operational guidelines that can improve the quality of such studies as the universal urban furniture. The research results can be used as guidelines for the correct design of newly planned models, but also for the introduction of repair solutions for existing models.

Deproteinated Potato Wastewater as a Sustainable Nitrogen Source in Trichosporon domesticum Yeast Lipids Biosynthesis\u2014a Concept of Valorization of Wastewater from Starch Industry

This study determines the ability of an isolated Trichosporon domesticum yeast strain to accumulate intracellular lipids in media with deproteinated potato wastewater (DPW) containing various carbon sources. The yeast strain was isolated from kefir and identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence analysis. The sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession number MH094668, and the strain was deposited in Polish Collection of Microorganisms as T. domesticum PCM 2960. DPW is an inexpensive and valuable source of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other elements in yeast cultures. DPW supplemented with glucose medium was most effective at stimulating lipid biosynthesis by T. domesticum PCM 2960 and bioreactor incubation resulted in a final lipid yield of 4.8 g L−1. The lipids of the T. domesticum PCM 2960 biomass were characterized by high contents of linoleic acid (Δ9,12C18:2), oleic acid (Δ9C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), and α-linolenic acid (Δ9,12,15C18:3). Theoretical calculations for biodiesel properties showed that the methylated esters of lipids from T. domesticum PCM 2960 biomass cannot be used as a biodiesel in diesel engines. Additionally, the ability to produce biofilm as one criterion for pathogenicity was tested. The ability for biofilm formation by the isolated strain was low. This study provides a promising solution for the more economical production of microbial lipids with DPW.

Polskie książki z XVIII – pocz. XX w. w Jekaterynburgu

This article analyses Polish book collections in Ekaterinburg. The author has found such collections in four of the city’s libraries: the Sverdlovsk regional library, the Sverdlovsk regional history museum, the Central Academic Library of the Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Ural Law University. In the article, the history of how these collections were formed and their particularities are discussed, as are the fates of individual books. The largest collection (250 books at the Sverdlovsk regional library) has as its basis books from the libraries of the Catholic Church of St Anna and the Catholic Philanthropic Society. The foundation of the Polish collection at the Sverdlovsk regional history museum consists of books from the archive of the Ural Society for the Admirers of the Natural Sciences. This collection includes a total of 17 works: the earliest of them coming from the beginning of the 18th century. A further focused search for Polish books in the libraries of Ekaterinburg would probably result in new findings.

Świat zwierząt Daniela Schultza

Daniel Schultz (1615–1683) was one of the most important painters of his time, highly regarded among the Polish nobility and patricians of his native city of Gdańsk. Schultz’s game and animal pieces resemble works of Flemish artists. His earliest animal picture Trophies in the Pantry is perhaps most Southern Netherlandish in character. Fred G. Meijer attributed to Schultz a painting on the subject of hunting, bearing the monogram “DS” and dated 1649. Schultz also executed a smaller painting, which is a depiction of a fox (or rather a dog) head shown in profile and a bunch of grapes, with some killed birds. Furthermore, two other animal paintings by Schultz are known from the National Museum in Gdańsk. In 2014, a pair of pendant paintings of dead birds appeared on the art market. Their similarity to the Medicean Trophies led the experts of the Artcurial auction house to ascribe them to Schultz. As one compares them with some other works by the Gdańsk artist, the resemblance is even more pronounced. Both paintings are now in a Polish private collection. In the Museum of Fine Arts in Gent there are two other paintings attributed to Frans Snyders and Jan Fyt which could have been painted by Daniel Schultz. The focus on perfectly studied animals, framing of the composition, and a summary treatment of the background are characteristic of him. The ‘Ds 16__’ monogram bears the painting from the Kuscovo Palace (Moscow), which depicts A Heron, a Bittern and a Rabbit. Schultz was the first artist in the territories associated with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to create independent animal and still life paintings. Possibly a pupil of Elias Vonck, the Amsterdam master active in Prussia, Schultz was also influenced by Antwerp masters such as Frans Snyders and Johannes Spruyt. Schultz’s interest for animal themes and still life may have been connected with characteristic features of the culture of Gdańsk, such as, for instance, a penchant for hunting, viewed both as a pastime and a subject for art. Gdańsk citizens enjoyed the right to hunt as of 1588, earlier than any other European bourgeoisie. Most signed works by Schultz are his depictions of animals. Tis could be an indirect suggestion about the identity of the recipients of Schultz’s depictions of the animal world. As stated above, the Gdańsk citizens had a predilection for hunting pieces; they also cared more than courtiers about the fact that such representations were authored by a Gdańsk artist.

Polskie książki z XVIII – pocz. XX w. w Jekaterynburgu

This article analyses Polish book collections in Ekaterinburg. The author has found such collections in four of the city’s libraries: the Sverdlovsk regional library, the Sverdlovsk regional history museum, the Central Academic Library of the Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Ural Law University. In the article, the history of how these collections were formed and their particularities are discussed, as are the fates of individual books. The largest collection (250 books at the Sverdlovsk regional library) has as its basis books from the libraries of the Catholic Church of St Anna and the Catholic Philanthropic Society. The foundation of the Polish collection at the Sverdlovsk regional history museum consists of books from the archive of the Ural Society for the Admirers of the Natural Sciences. This collection includes a total of 17 works: the earliest of them coming from the beginning of the 18th century. A further focused search for Polish books in the libraries of Ekaterinburg would probably result in new findings.

Genetic resources of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as very rich source of α-linolenic acid

SummaryIntroduction: Polish oilseed and flaxseed collection is a source of genotypes containing very high amounts of α-linolenic acid. Objective: The objective of the study is to test the seeds for the fat content and fatty acids composition in the oil pressed from the 9 tested accessions of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Our goal is to promote the Polish flax collection, which seeds are unique as one of the richest sources of α-linolenic acid. Methods: Assays to determine the content of fat and fatty acids composition in linseed oil were performed at the IHAR-PIB Biochemical Laboratory in Poznań. The fat content was determined by infrared analysis (calibration performed on the basis of seed sample at IHAR-PIB in Poznań) by means of a NIRS 6500 spectrophotometer with a reflection detector within the range of 400-2500 nm. The composition of fatty acids was determined by means of a method proposed by Byczyńska and Krzymański (1969), based on gas chromatography of methyl esters of fatty acids contained in linseed oil. The following varieties of flax were investigated: Tabare (INF00111), Szegedi 30 (INF00427), Olin (INF 00444), Redwood 65 (INF00523), Dufferin (INF00540), AC Mc Duff (INF00648), Alfonso Inta (INF00683), Olinette (INF00687), Royale (INF00689). Results: The content of α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3) in evaluated genotypes of flax ranged from 48.9 (Royale) to 59.9% (Alfonso Inta). Content of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2) in evaluated genotypes of flax ranged from 12.4 (Tabare) to 17.1% (AC Mc Duff). The content of oleic acid (OA, C18:1) of 9 accession of flax ranged from 17.1 (Alfonso Inta) to 26.7% (Royale). The content of stearic acid in evaluated genotypes of flax ranged from 2.3 (Alfonso Inta) to 5.0% (Tabare, Szegedi 30) and the content of palmitic acid ranged from 4.7 (Dufferin) to 6.0% (Olin). The content of fat ranged from 42.7 (Olin) to 52.0% (AC Mc Duff). The fatty acid ratio n-6/n-3 ranged from 0.23/1 (Tabare) to 0.32/1 (AC Mc Duff).

The Local Polish Community in Action: The Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University

Abstract Connecticut welcomed a considerable number of Polish immigrants in the late nineteenth century, and again just after World War II. The latter group included a large number of intellectuals, politicians, and artists. They actively joined civic organizations like the Polish American Congress (PAC). The 1960s and 1970s was a dynamic time for the Connecticut Division of the PAC especially the Committee on Education and Culture. Their work was instrumental in getting the state to establish a Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State College. The program allowed for in-depth academic courses related to Poland’s history, politics, and culture, and the establishment of a Polish Heritage Room and Collection in the university library. The Program also had a community-outreach function that provided evening lectures and cultural events free to the public. Later, various endowments allowed several cultural programs to be sustained and an endowed chair in Polish Studies to be created. Today the program is on a firm footing. A formal minor in Polish History is now available and community programs have expanded to include public lectures delivered by prominent historians, writers, musicians, journalists, politicians, and film makers draw large audiences. This article presents a case study in how local community groups working with university officials and elected state and local government representatives can successfully create a high quality Polish Studies program that benefits both the university community and the larger surrounding population.

An investigation of a unique group of painted silk banners from a Polish collection

Historic textiles represent a very important part of our cultural heritage. This research focused on the evaluation of a group of unique 16th century banners painted on silk. The banners were examined by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry. The measurements were performed to characterize the pigments and materials used, in order to establish the most adequate display methods. Pigments typical of the Renaissance period such as azurite, lead tin yellow, yellow ochre, vermilion, red lead, red ochre, lead white and charcoal were found. Because some of the detected pigments are sensitive to anoxic atmospheres, a microclimate display system was selected as the most adequate option for the safety exhibition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Discussion about developing securitisation in Poland with participation of securitisation investment funds

Motivation: The paper refers to the issue of development of securitisation in Poland. Securitisation is a multipurpose financial technique commonly used in many countries, especially in those with highly developed capital markets. Such technique supports assets and liabilities management, transfers risks as well as leads to creation innovative, assets-based securities. As Polish financial institutions, especially banks, are facing new challenges related to regulatory capital, long-term financing, non-performing debts and taxation, we examine if securitisation may be developed and successfully used on Polish financial market. In the paper, we discuss the development securitisation in Poland, focusing on legal, financial and structural aspects. Aim: the aim of the paper is to evaluate the conditions of using and developing securitisation in Poland with regard to performing as well as non-performing assets. We also evaluate the role and significance of securitisation investment funds, i.e. special type of investment funds operating in Poland, which are evaluated as the most suitable SPVs for securitisation. Results: upon the research, we conclude that in Poland the most dynamically developing segment of securitisation is that based on non-performing debts, and its significance will be growing altogether with the growth and consolidation of Polish debt collection market. We also conclude that the major barrier related to development of this area of finance is a lack of precise legal and tax regulations.

Polish books of Sabina Jaroszewska personal collection in A. S. Pushkin Tomsk Regional Universal Scientific Library stocks (its formation history, overview and studying prospects)

The article deals with book collecting as a way to preserve ethnic and cultural identity. The author examines Sabina Jaroszewska personality as the Polish library creator, her book assemblage history and composition, prospects for detailed studying the Polish collection fragment in A.S. Pushkin Tomsk Regional Universal Scientific Library (TRUSL) stocks are outlined. For the first time catalogues and inventories of the TRUSL Foreign book department are used as well as interviews with Academician Rostislav Karpov, who personally knew the collector.

Monodia łacińska w XLI edycji Śpiewnika Kościelnego Ks. Jana Siedleckiego

With respect to another edition of The Church Song-book by the Rev. Jan Siedlecki, the article aims to show how much the song-book values Gregorian chant in relation to the binding liturgical regulations and to what extent Gregorian music was used while preparing the song-book. With this end in view, the Gregorian repertoire included in the song-book was studied with reference to different celebrations of the liturgical year and by comparing it to the German song-book Gotteslob from the year 2013. The fact that a certain series of the Gregorian singing has been chosen and placed in a separate chapter of the Polish collection gives an impression that the repertoire is a continuation of a centuries-old musical tradition of the Church, adjusted to the changes introduced after The Second Vatican Council. It indicates the unity with the Catholic Church, making it possible to use the most basic Gregorian repertoire in the liturgy. In spite of the fact that national languages were introduced in the liturgy, this repertoire still plays a vital role, being a source of creativity and inspiration.