Warsaw University Research Articles

The Influence of Crossbreeding on the Composition of Protein and Fat Fractions in Milk: A Comparison Between Purebred Polish Holstein Friesian and Polish Holstein Friesian × Swedish Red Cows.

In this study, the differences in protein and fat bioactive components between the milk from purebred Polish Holstein Friesian (PHF) cows and PHF cows crossbred with Swedish Red (SRB) were investigated. The objective was to assess the impact of genetic variation on the nutritional quality of their milk. This study was conducted at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences' (WULS) experimental dairy farm in Warsaw, Poland, and involved 60 primiparous cows divided into two groups: 30 PHF×SRB crossbred cows and 30 purebred PHF cows. All cows were housed in a free-stall system with an average lactation yield exceeding 10,000 kg/lactation. The milk composition analyses included total protein, casein, whey protein, fatty acid profiles, and vitamin content. Milk from the PHF×SRB hybrids showed a significantly greater total protein content (3.53%) compared to that from the purebred PHF cows (3.28%). The casein content was higher in the hybrids' milk (2.90%) than the purebreds' milk (2.78%), while the whey protein levels were lower in the purebred milk (0.50%) than in the hybrid milk (0.63%). The hybrids exhibited higher concentrations of certain saturated fatty acids in their milk, while the purebreds' milk contained greater amounts of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins-E, D, and K. These results indicate that genetic selection through crossbreeding can enhance the nutritional quality of milk. The differences observed in protein, fatty-acid, and vitamin content underscore the role of the genotype in milk composition, suggesting that breeding strategies can optimize dairy products' health benefits.

Homo Faber – Work From an Anthropological Perspective - In the Light of Research Conducted in Poland

The article informs about the conference Homo Faber - How Do We Work, How Did We Work?, which took place at the University of Warsaw in 2023. The text recalls the results of the fieldwork of Anna Zadrożyńska – an ethnologist starting anthropological research on this topic in Poland. Then, it briefly presents research projects carried out in Poland using ethnographic methods,outlining the trajectory of changing approaches. In the conclusion, which is an introduction to the thematic part of the volume, it briefly presents the post-conference articles included in this part.

„Muzeum etnograficzne na rozdrożu” Czwarte wiosenne seminarium muzeologiczne

In previous years, the Department of Ethnology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University, the Faculty of Theology of the University of Warsaw and the Missionary Seminary of the Verbist Fathers in Pieniężno organized a series of meetings under the common title "Spring Museological Seminars". Until 2019, we met three times, and reports from the conference and some texts of the speeches were published in ZWAM. In 2024, the Fourth Spring Museological Seminar was held (May 13–15), entitled: The Ethnographic Museum at the Crossroads, which this time took as its main topic the role and position of the contemporary ethnographic museum. The organizers of this year's meeting were: the Polish Ethnological Society, Branch in Łódź and the Missionary House of St. Stanisław Kostka in Chludowo, as well as the Editorial Office of the magazine ZWAM in cooperation with the Museological Section of the Polish Ethnological Society and the Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. This time we met at the Mission House of St. Stanisław Kostka in Chludowo (SVD) near Poznań. The text presents the nature of this meeting and is also an introduction to selected articles resulting from the workshops.

An overlooked contribution to Devonian studiesin the Holy Cross Mts: rediscovering Alexei Doronin’s 1893 article on the Kadzielnia Limestone

The unused Kadzielnia quarry in Kielce is the most publicly known geological site in the Holy Cross Mts and its geotouristic landmark (now the Kadzielnia Park and Reserve). The ‘rocky’ (coral) Kadzielnia Limestone, corresponding to a stromatoporoid-microbial mud mound, now treated as the Kadzielnia Massive Limestone Member of the Kowala Formation, has been studied for almost 200 years. This large bioherm is famous for its exceptionally diverse fossil inventory. The history of its geological exploration is insufficiently known, as exemplified by the overlooked contribution of Alexei Doronin, a master’s student at the Imperial University of Warsaw (IUW). In 1893, under the guidance of Professor Vladimir Amalitsky, he published a note on the age of the Kadzielnia Limestone. The paleontological basis for this discussion was the IUW student’s fossil collection, in which Doronin identified 28 taxa, mainly brachiopods (19 species). He was the first to recognize the occurrence of gastropods (e.g., Loxonema) and crinoids, and at least four species of brachiopods (e.g., Dielasma sacculus). In a comprehensive brachiopod-based stratigraphic discussion, Doronin emphasized the great similarity of the Kadzielnia assemblage to the Middle Devonian fauna of Western Europe, but also including the typical Upper Devonian species Rhynchonella cuboides. Ultimately, he advocated assigning a terminal Middle Devonian age to the Kadzielnia Limestone. Despite this erroneous dating, Doronin’s noteworthy but unnoticed contribution holds significant implications not only for further study of Kadzielnia but also for understanding the development of geosciences in the late 19th century in the Congress Poland (then part of partitioned Poland within the Russian Empire), including the academic role of the IUW. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the scientific career of Amalitsky’s talented pupil never truly began.

"He was a European, an educated man". Foreign contacts of Professor Adam Schaff (1913-2006) based on provenance analysis of selected copies from his book collection

The article presents the results of the research conducted on the topic “The private book collection of Professor Adam Schaff in the collections of the Joint Libraries of the Faculties of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Warsaw, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Polish Philosophical Society”[1]. Professor Adam Schaff (1913–2006) gathered an extensive book collection during his many years of academic work, falling during the Polish People’s Republic period. After his death, it was transferred to the Joint Libraries of WFiS UW, IFiS PAN, and PTF[2]. A. Schaff maintained contact with many foreign scholars specializing in philosophy and sociology, which directly influenced the analyzed collection. The article contains a qualitative, quantitative, and provenance analysis of this book collection. Provenance and bibliographic methods were used to study the characteristics of selected copies, making it possible to reconstruct Schaff’s contacts with the foreign scientific community. [1] Master’s thesis, supervisor: Prof. Jacek Puchalski, University of Warsaw, 2023. [2] Joint Libraries of the Faculties of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Warsaw, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Polish Philosophical Society (PB WFiS UW, IFiS PAN, and PTF) is the proper name of the institution established in the 1950s, which consisted of 3 combined libraries, with joint staff and premises, but separate assets and thematically complementary book collections in philosophy and sociology.

"Hommage bien amical". Foreign contacts of Professor Barbara Skarga (1919-2009) based on provenance analysis of selected copies from her private book collection

The article presents the effect of the research conducted on the subject “Private book collection of Professor Barbara Skarga within the library collection of the Joint Libraries of the Faculties of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Warsaw, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Philosophical Society”. During many years of her scientific career, Professor Barbara Skarga (1919–2009) gathered a vast and diverse book collection. After her death, following her final will, it was handed over to the Joint Libraries of the WFiS UW, IFiS PAN, and PTF and included in the Institute of Philosophy of the Polish Academy of Sciences library resources. Barbara Skarga cooperated with many institutions that gathered researchers specializing in philosophy, as well as sociology and theology, which influenced the contents of her book collection. This article includes qualitative, quantitative, and provenance analyses of Skarga’s book collection. Using the provenance and bibliographical methods allowed us to recreate the history of the book collection and Skarga’s contacts with, among others, the French scientific community.

Normal Glypican-3 Serum Levels Do Not Eliminate the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy that primarily affects patients with liver cirrhosis. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes. The study aimed to investigate the potential role of glypican-3 (GPC3) serum levels, both alone and in combination with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) serum levels, as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC. Methods. The study included 53 patients with liver cirrhosis and confirmed HCC, who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Diseases and Hepatology at the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland, underwent physical examination and laboratory testing and were compared with 29 healthy volunteers. GPC3, along with demographic data, Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, AFP, and GGT levels, was analyzed in relation to HCC diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of GPC3 alone and in combination with AFP and GGT were evaluated for diagnosing HCC. Results. The difference in serum GPC3 levels between patients with HCC and the control group was statistically insignificant (p=0.765). However, a significant correlation was found between GPC3 and AFP serum levels in patients with HCC (p=0.009). Additionally, a correlation was observed between higher GPC3 serum levels within the normal range and the occurrence of HCC. The sensitivity for GPC3 levels greater than 75 ng/ml for detecting HCC was 93.1%, while the specificity was 49.1%. The utility of GPC3, when combined with AFP and GGT, was inconsistent across different thresholds in detecting HCC. Conclusions. The serum levels of GPC3 do not provide satisfactory effectiveness in detecting HCC, and the disease can occur in patients with GPC3 serum concentrations within the normal range. In patients with liver cirrhosis, serum GPC3 levels above 75.00 ng/ml may suggest an increased risk of HCC development. Additionally, the combination of AFP, GPC3, and GGT demonstrates some utility in detecting HCC; however, it shows no superiority over GPC3 alone.

Zagrożenia dezinformacyjne w ocenie studentów Akademii Sztuki Wojennej

The aim of the article is to characterize disinformation as a contemporary threat to state structures, societies, individual people. Disinformation campaigns are observed in many countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In recent years, social media have become a convenient instrument for transmitting disinformation. It constitutes a threat for countries and societies. The author also presented the results of social research conducted among students of the War Studies University in Warsaw. The research was intended to present the public perception of disinformation threats and resistance to these activities.

Knowledge and Awareness of Risk Factors for HIV Infection and about HIV Testing among Medical Students in Warsaw.

The number of late diagnoses of HIV remains very high in Poland, leading to a high proportion of patients developing and dying of HIV-related diseases. The main reason for this is the very low utilization of HIV testing. Our analyses aimed to investigate knowledge about the indications for HIV testing among medical university students, as well as identify their own HIV testing experiences. A cross-sectional survey study was designed to collect information on the students' demographics and their experiences of HIV testing, as well as their knowledge of virus transmission and the indications for testing. Data were collected as part of the HIV_week@WUM project conducted at the Medical University of Warsaw in parallel with the 18th European AIDS Conference, which took place in Warsaw between 18 and 21 October 2023. In total, 545 questionnaires were collected. The median age of the study participants was 20 (interquartile range (IQR): 19-22 years). The majority of respondents were as follows: women (67.5%), born in Poland (97.8%), and were attending the medical faculty (56.7%). Only 114 (21.43%) participants had ever been tested for HIV. For all modes of HIV transmission, most of the respondents overestimated the risk of acquiring HIV, but, at the same time, they had never been tested for HIV. Only one in five health sciences students has ever had a test for HIV, which is less than estimates for the general population of Warsaw. There is an ongoing need to popularize testing among future health care providers in order to address both the indications for testing for individuals and the better use of HIV testing in clinical practice.

Speckle denoising based on Swin-UNet in digital holographic interferometry

Speckle noise, mechano-physical noise, and environmental noise are inevitably introduced in digital holographic coherent imaging, which seriously affects the quality of phase maps, and the removal of non-Gaussian statistical noise represented by speckle noise has been a challenging problem. In the past few years, deep learning methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have made good progress in removing Gaussian noise. However, they tend to fail when these deep networks designed for Gaussian noise removal are used to remove speckle noise. Recently, numerous studies have employed CNNs to address the issue of degraded speckle images, yielding encouraging results. Nevertheless, the degradation of speckle noise that is simulated in isolation is limited and insufficient to encompass the increasingly complex DHI noise environment. This paper presents what we believe to be a novel approach to simulating complex noise environments by multiplexing simulated Gaussian noise and speckle noise. The noise resulting from aliasing does not adhere to the statistical laws of the noise prior to aliasing, which poses a more challenging task for the noise-reduction algorithms utilized in neural networks. Consequently, in conjunction with the capacity of the Swin Transformer to model multi-scale features, this paper proposes a DHI speckle denoising approach based on Swin-UNet. In this paper, Gaussian, speckle, and blending noise datasets with different noise densities are constructed for training and testing by numerical simulation, and generalizability tests are performed on 1,100 randomly selected open-source holographic tomography (HT) noise images at Warsaw University of Technology and 25 speckle images selected from DATABASE. All test results are quantitatively evaluated by three evaluation metrics: mean squared error (MSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity index (SSIM). All convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms are evaluated qualitatively based on the number of parameters, floating point operations, and denoising time. The results of the comparison demonstrate that the denoising algorithm presented in this paper exhibits greater stability, accuracy, and generalizability.

Effect of Exposure to 2D Video of Forest Environment with Natural Forest Sound on Psychological Well-Being of Healthy Young Adults

Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in the health benefits of contact with nature. The theoretical and practical aspects of this issue are constantly being investigated. It is worth noting, however, that there is a large group of people for whom the only available form of contact with nature can only be through images (the view outside the window, photos and films about nature), recorded sounds of nature or descriptions of nature. Research indicating how much exposure to nature in the dimension of virtual reality achieves improvements in well-being, mood and vitality is therefore urgently needed. Material and Methods: The main goal of the experiment was to examine whether watching a 20-min 2D video of forest environment or reading a textbook on forest knowledge for 20 min would bring any psychological benefits. The order of both exposures was intentionally changed (reversed) for every second participant in this study to reduce the order effect. A group of 16 volunteers, students of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, took part in the experiment. The psychological tests before and after each of the two parts of the experiment (viewing a picture with sound and reading a book) were established using five questionnaires: Profile of Mood State (POMS); Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS); Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS); Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: As a result of the analyses, a 20-min viewing of a 2D video of a forest with natural sounds of nature was shown to have a positive effect on the psychological relaxation of the subjects in the form of an increase in restorativeness and vitality in the participants of the experiment, as well as a greater decrease in negative feelings, tension and anger than when reading a forest-themed book. Watching a video of a landscape can reduce tension and anger levels significantly, which can be an important guideline in relation to the interior design of public spaces and the protection of employees from the adverse effects of psychosocial working conditions, as well as the desire to stabilize anger and maintain emotional stability in everyday life.

Neologizmy słowotwórcze w Obserwatorium Językowym Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (na materiale haseł opracowanych do lutego 2022 roku). Część 2: Substantywne derywaty złożone

This article constitutes the second part of a series of papers devoted to 1117 Polish derivational neologisms in Obserwatorium Językowe Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (Language Obserwatory of the University of Warsaw). Its aim is to present and analyse 334 new substantival compounds in the Polish language. The author divides them into groups of derivational neologisms created by the use of the same formative technique and containing the same part of the compound. The study concludes that the biggest class of the described new substantival compounds in contemporary Polish language consists of structures without any affixes. As for the morphemes used to create them, the interfix -o- turned out to be the most productive. Most of them contain the elements e- (abbreviated adjective elektroniczny [electronic]) and -mat (abbreviated noun automat).

Management and Treatment Outcomes of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is caused by maternal antibodies attacking fetal blood cell antigens. Despite routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, intrauterine transfusions (IUTs) are still needed in some HDFN cases. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on newborns with HDFN born in the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical University of Warsaw. We analyzed 274 neonates with HDFN, identifying 46 who required IUT due to fetal anemia and 228 who did not. The laboratory results, management, and outcomes were compared between these groups. Results: Comparative analysis showed that newborns treated with IUT were more likely to have significant anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and iron overload, indicated by a high ferritin concentration. These neonates more often required top-up transfusions, phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin infusions, and exchange transfusions. The length of stay was longer for newborns who received IUT. Conclusions: HDFN requiring IUT is associated with a greater number of complications in the neonatal period and more often requires additional treatment compared to HDFN not requiring IUT.

Clinical and echocardiographic characterization of patients hospitalized for severe tricuspid valve regurgitation: a single tertiary-care center experience with 2-year follow-up.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common acquired valvular heart disease. Recently, new transcatheter treatment options for severe TR have emerged that could change management of this condition, which warrants better characterization of this specific patient group. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with severe TR and to evaluate their short- and mid‑term prognosis. This retrospective, observational, single‑center study enrolled consecutive patients with severe TR hospitalized between January 2016 and September 2021 in the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. The severity of heart failure (HF) was evaluated using the New York Heart Association classification. Echocardiographic assessment was performed by an experienced sonographer. EuroSCORE II and TRI‑SCORE models were computed for each patient, and 12- and 24‑month clinical outcomes were reported. The study comprised 172 patients (93 women [54.1%]) at a mean (SD) age of 76.4 (10.5) years. The most common comorbidities included: atrial fibrillation (84.9%), hypertension (68%), chronic kidney disease (54.1%), coronary artery disease (45.3%), and diabetes mellitus (30.9%). The median (interquartile range) EuroSCORE II and TRI‑SCORE values were 4.68% (2.88%-8.05%) and 14% (5%-34%), respectively. The median follow‑up was 24 (8.5-41) months. The overall mortality was 29.7% at 1 year and 47.3% at 2 years. TR grade, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) above 17 mm, TAPSE to systolic pulmonary artery pressure ratio below 0.26, and increased right atrial area were significant factors associated with mortality. Patients presenting with severe TR are characterized by a large comorbidity burden and poor prognosis, despite intensive HF management.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose sesame oral immunotherapy in paediatric patients: a protocol for a single-centre, randomised controlled trial

IntroductionSesame allergy, though with low prevalence, can result in severe, potentially life-threatening reactions and poses challenges in allergen avoidance due to hidden sources. In the majority of patients, sesame allergy...

Effective and ineffective strategies for successful rehabilitation: A comparison of activities in juvenile and adult facilities

This article discusses social rehabilitation among adults and minors, comparing methods used in penitentiary units and facilities for adolescents in conflict with the law. The research underlying this article was conducted in two stages: first, through study visits by the Criminological Scientific Club of the University of Warsaw, followed by a series of structured interviews. This approach enabled the authors to determine what works and what does not in the social rehabilitation system. The research revealed that in prisons, the most beneficial factors for convicts are work opportunities and family contact. In turn, for units housing minors, measurable benefits come from education tailored to the child’s learning level and educational outreach beyond the facility walls. However, the authors attributed the failures to the slow work of the courts, which prolongs the time needed to send adolescents to the facility, and to the lack of proper supervision over the situation of the charges. In the case of adults, problems include poor treatment of convicts by the Prison Service, insufficient therapeutic and educational system, and improper selection of management staff. The authors concluded from their research analysis that there are no universal social rehabilitation methods that can be effectively applied to both adults and minors.

Fuel–Water Emulsions as an Alternative Fuel for Gas Turbines: A Project Summary

The paper presents conclusions from research conducted at the Warsaw University of Technology in 2019–2023 regarding the combustion of fuel–water emulsions in a miniature gas turbine. The presented conclusions were made taking the current state of knowledge available in the literature into account. Particular emphasis was placed on explaining the discrepancies in the results of the experimental studies available in the literature. The main aspects of the combustion of the fuel–water emulsions that were analyzed were their impact on the emissions of NOx and CO, as well as the impact of the surfactant included in the fuel mixture on the combustion process, emissions and the formation of deposits on the walls of the combustion chamber. The impact of the emulsion fuel on fuel consumption was also discussed. In order to explain the changes occurring in the combustion chamber as a result of adding water to the fuel, numerical methods and methods of fluid mechanics were used. Studies have shown a positive impact of the use of fuel–water emulsions on CO and Nox emissions and fuel consumption. It was also demonstrated that fuel additives used for emulsification can create deposits on the walls of the hot engine section.

Special MCP-N thermoluminescent detectors (TLD) with better angular dependence

One of the basic parameters in the use of thermoluminescent detectors is the angular characteristics, i.e. receiving different signals depending on the angle of radiation exposure. The TLD detector is typically installed in a slide/badge and here the angular characteristics may have an influence, adding non-uniform coverage of the detectors with filters for the correct determination of the dose as a function of energy, because the energy characteristics are usually not flat.As part of the work, special MCP-N (LiF:Mg, Cu, P) detectors of various shapes were prepared to improve the angular characteristics. The detectors were round pellets with the same circular shape with a diameter of 4.5 mm, and a modified form inside (large and small drilled holes) or a modified surface (cavity or hemisphere). For comparison, standard MCP-N type detectors were used. Detectors in special boxes were exposed to X-rays with an energy of 80 keV. The radiation beam was formed by a medical X-ray apparatus adapted for experiments at the Warsaw University of Technology in Warsaw. Exposures were made for angles of 0, 30, 45, 50, and 90° for a dose of 1.5 mGy.Results show that it is possible to improve the angular characteristics for detectors with modified shapes. Better angular characteristics will allow for more accurate measurements, in particular in comparison tests, for accreditation and other calibrations. Especially improved angular dependence detectors could be useful for H*(10) environmental measurements.

Foreign Language Teaching in Poland - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. An Interview with Professor Hanna Komorowska

Hanna Komorowska, full professor of applied linguistics and language teaching, University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw, works in the field of pre- and in-service teacher education. As head of the curriculum development centre, she built a team which designed the first set of communicative syllabus documents for second and foreign languages taught in the Polish school system. After the fall of communism, she was heading the Expert Committee for foreign language teaching and teacher education reform in Poland. Former vice-President of Warsaw University, the Polish delegate for the Modern Languages Project Group of the Council of Europe, member of the EU High Level Group on Multilingualism, consultant to the European Centre of Modern Languages in Graz, co-author of the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages she now serves as president of the Polish edition of the European Language Label and the Training and Consultancy expert of the ECML.

Architectural drawing at Gdańsk University of Technology from 1904 to 2024

The article analyzed the programs and teaching methods at the Faculty of Architecture of the Gdańsk University of Technology in terms of hand drawing as the basic means of architectural teaching in the 20th century. Contemporary changes in this area are also presented. The Gdańsk University of Technology (Technische Hochschule Danzig) was established in 1904 as a university with German as the language of instruction. The Faculty of Archi- tecture existed there from the beginning. In 1945, the former was transformed into the Polish Gdańsk University of Technology (Politechnika Gdańska). After 1945, the Faculty of Architecture of the Gdańsk University of Technology continued mainly the traditions of the two faculties existing before World War II at the Lviv University of Technology and the Warsaw University of Technology, and the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Vilnius. The most important was the tradition of the Lviv school, from which the curricu- lum was transferred almost unchanged after 1945 and from which most of the teachers at the Gdańsk Faculty came.