Search Results (7,799)

Judo, as a weight-category combat sport, exposes young athletes to body mass pressures that may foster abnormal eating behaviours. Building on a companion study that documented the prevalence and sex-specific characteristics of abnormal eating behaviours in this cohort, this secondary analysis aimed to identify training-related predictors of eating behaviours in young Polish judo athletes, examine body image satisfaction as a mediator, and assess whether patterns observed in elite adult athletes apply to younger populations. The participants were 150 athletes (70 girls, 80 boys) aged 12–17. Eating behaviours were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-13) and the Test of Eating Situation Style (TSJ); training characteristics, pre-competition weight control, and appearance satisfaction were examined through hierarchical regression, mediation analysis, latent profile analysis, and two-way ANOVA. Training-related factors—including tenure, session frequency, competitive level, and pre-competition weight control—showed no significant associations with eating behaviours. However, in a subsample of N = 136 athletes, relative weight grouping predicted dietary restraint (p = 0.015, η²p = 0.066), with athletes in the heaviest tertile reporting higher restriction; lower appearance satisfaction was associated with greater restraint (p = 0.031, β = −0.192), independently of sport-mandated weight control; females demonstrated higher emotional eating across instruments (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that body image and weight classification may be more strongly associated with eating behaviours than training demands, highlighting the need for body image interventions and the monitoring of athletes near weight category boundaries. Full article

Ti-6Al-4V internal flow channels are difficult to finish because direct liquid metal-driven abrasive slurry polishing is constrained by both the limited driving capability of the liquid metal and the continuous formation of a dense surface reaction layer in alkaline electrolytes. In this study, the direct polishing behavior of Ti-6Al-4V flow channels was first investigated, and a distinct polishing capability boundary was identified through the evolution of surface morphology and areal roughness $S_a$. Although $S_a$ decreased with polishing time, the reduction rate gradually diminished and eventually approached a plateau, indicating pronounced attenuation in effective material removal. Mechanistic analysis revealed that this limitation was governed by the dynamic formation and disruption of the oxide/reaction layer, which progressively shields the metallic substrate from direct abrasive action. To address this issue, an electric-field-assisted chemical pretreatment was introduced prior to the liquid metal-driven abrasive polishing stage, forming a two-step route (AB + P). Comparative experiments among direct polishing (P), chemical pretreatment followed by polishing (B + P), and electric-field-assisted chemical pretreatment followed by polishing (AB + P) showed that AB + P produced more homogeneous surface morphologies, lower $S_a$, and a significantly weaker plateauing tendency than direct polishing. In addition, the attainable limiting surface quality was shifted to a lower level, indicating an extension of the polishing capability boundary. The influence of pretreatment electrification time further revealed the existence of an effective time window, beyond which the polishing improvement gradually saturated. These results demonstrate that electric-field-assisted chemical pretreatment is an effective strategy for mitigating polishing attenuation and enhancing the finishing capability of liquid metal-driven abrasive slurry polishing for Ti-6Al-4V internal flow channels. Full article

Background/Objectives: Insufficient hydration and high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a significant public health challenge among adolescents. The aim of the presented study was to assess the beverage intake, in terms of quantity and choices, in a national-based population of Polish adolescents within the PLACE-19 Study. Methods: Within the PLACE-19 Study, the population of n = 1027 secondary school adolescents (age 15–20 years) was recruited based on a quota sampling of Polish secondary schools and n = 984 individuals (n = 674 female, n = 310 male) were included in the analysis. The study assessed beverages intake using the National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study (NYPANS) survey questionnaire and data were gathered using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) technique. The beverages were assessed in the following groups: water, milk beverages, 100% fruit juices, coffee/tea, regular carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), diet CSDs, other sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); additionally, total SSBs were summarized. The total beverage intake was compared with 80% of the Adequate Intake (AI) level. Results: The highest intake was observed for water (250 mL per day), and tea beverages (178.1 mL per day). However, in combining SSBs, the total daily intake for this group was 394.4 mL per day. The highest share of the daily intake of beverages was attributed to water intake (23.81%), and tea beverages (11.45%), followed by 100% fruit juices (7.14%), fruit drinks (6.67%), and milk (6.45%); however, the intake of total combined SSBs was even higher than for water (32.47%). Male individuals were characterized by a higher share of milk beverages, regular CSDs, diet CSDs, and other SSBs than female ones, while female individuals were characterized by a higher share of water, and coffee/tea in their total daily beverage intake than male ones (p < 0.001). Younger individuals were characterized by a higher share of other SSBs in their total daily beverage intake than older ones (p = 0.034). For the vast majority of the studied group, the inadequate intake of beverages was observed, as over 70% of the studied sub-groups did not meet the AI value. Conclusions: The inadequate beverage intake in a population of adolescents may be a problem, especially considering high intake of SSBs, and relatively low intake of water. Especially in male and younger individuals, due to a higher intake of SSBs, than for female and older individuals, education is necessary to promote adequate intake and choices of beverages. Further research is needed in the area of beverage consumption to understand the determinants of beverage consumption and develop opportunities to improve it. Full article

Manufacturing polishing tasks involve repetitive movements and sustained postures that increase exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). This study presents an intersectoral validation of the ergonomic assessment methodology applied to industrial metal polishing operators that considered sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health variables. This study surveyed 41 workers using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and assessed a subsample of 27 workers using the REBA method through AI-based computer vision. Symptom prevalence was highest in the neck (82.9%), shoulders (70.8%), lower back (68.3%), and wrists/hands (65.9%). Using a computer-vision AI-based tool to analyse posture, the REBA method identified moderate (70.3%), high (26.0%) and very high (3.7%) WRMSD risks for the upper arms, neck, and trunk, respectively, with women showing greater susceptibility. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between age, gender, health perception, and musculoskeletal risks. The findings confirm the ergonomic assessment method’s applicability and reliability for ergonomic risk assessment in industrial polishing tasks, emphasising the need for targeted interventions adapted to gender and age profiles to mitigate occupational hazards. The results support a non-intrusive assessment approach suitable for industrial deployment and for prioritising targeted, worker-stratified ergonomic interventions. Full article

Inguinal hernia repair remains one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures, but the problem of early postoperative complications remains significant, particularly in the context of surgical technique selection and patient age. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of early complications and the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair. To achieve this goal, a retrospective study was conducted, analyzing data from 172 patients who underwent laparoscopic and open mesh repair. The results showed that no early complications occurred in patients undergoing laparoscopic repair, whereas complications were reported in 6.4% of patients undergoing open repair, primarily in older adults. The average hospital stay was also shorter with the laparoscopic approach. These data suggest advantages of laparoscopic surgery, especially for elective procedures, which may help reduce complication rates and accelerate recovery. The practical significance of the work is that the obtained results can be used to optimize the selection of surgical technique in the treatment of inguinal hernia, especially in the context of limited financial resources and the need to improve the quality of medical care in Polish medical facilities. Full article

The article introduces the Hylomorphism Inventory (HI), a new instrument designed to measure lay beliefs about the soul–body relationship that are congruent with the Aristotelian–Thomistic framework of hylomorphism. Although research on intuitive ontology has predominantly focused on dualist and monist models, the hylomorphic perspective—central to Catholic anthropology yet difficult to articulate in everyday cognition—remains largely unexplored. Drawing on research in intuitive anthropology, we conceptualize hylomorphic beliefs as endorsing the human person as a psychophysical unity in which the soul functions as the organizing form of the body. Using a theory-driven approach and expert evaluation, we developed an initial 10-item scale and tested it in a nationwide online sample of Polish adults (n = 407). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), supported by nonparametric Mokken scaling, converged on a primarily unidimensional 9-item solution with high internal consistency (α = 0.89, ordinal α = 0.91, ω ≈ 0.90). Validity analyses revealed that HI scores were strongly associated with beliefs emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and soul, but only weakly related to their mere endorsement as components. This pattern suggests that what distinguishes hylomorphism at the psychological level is not belief in the soul per se, but belief in the unity of the human person. The HI provides a parsimonious tool for differentiating lay anthropological models and enables empirical investigation of how hylomorphism-congruent beliefs relate to moral reasoning, spiritual practices, and broader psychological functioning. Full article

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of irrigation on different polishing protocols and their influence on the surface roughness, microhardness, and mass of resin composites. Three resin composites (Admira^® Fusion, Filtek Supreme™ XTE, and Ceram.X Spectra™ STHV) were polished using four systems (Sof-Lex™, DIATECH^® ShapeGuard, Astropol^®, and Enhance™/PoGo™) under wet and dry conditions. Eight test groups were established for each resin composite (n = 10 per group). Vickers microhardness, surface roughness (R_a), and specimen mass were measured before and after polishing with one of the four systems, applied either with or without irrigation. For Admira^® Fusion polished with Sof-Lex^™, R_a values were lower without irrigation (p = 0.048), whereas Filtek Supreme^™ XTE and Ceram.X Spectra^™ STHV polished with the Enhance^™/PoGo^™ system showed lower R_a values when irrigation was used (p = 0.010 and p = 0.004, respectively). Sof-Lex^™ and DIATECH^® ShapeGuard produced the highest microhardness values for both Admira^® Fusion and Filtek Supreme^™ XTE. Moreover, specimens of Admira^® Fusion and Ceram.X Spectra^™ STHV polished with DIATECH^® ShapeGuard exhibited higher microhardness under irrigation (p = 0.048 and p = 0.027, respectively). Overall, polishing resulted in measurable material removal, reflected by a reduction in specimen mass, and in an increase in microhardness. Wet polishing generally increased microhardness, although the effect varied depending on the polishing system and resin composite. Clinicians should therefore consider both the resin composite and the polishing system when deciding whether to use irrigation, as appropriate irrigation control may help optimize the surface smoothness and microhardness of resin composite restorations. Conference Presentation: Preliminary data from this study were previously presented as an oral communication at the 32nd Portuguese Dental Association Annual Meeting. This manuscript represents a substantially expanded and revised version, developed as a full research article. Full article

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of two surface finishing procedures—mechanical polishing and glaze firing—on the color stability and wear behavior of lithium aluminium disilicate (LAD) hybrid abutment crowns over a three-year clinical observation period. Methods: Twenty-four patients requiring 34 implant-supported single crowns were included in this prospective clinical study. LAD abutment crowns were fabricated using n!ce ceramic and a CAD/CAM workflow and finished either by mechanical polishing (P, n = 17) or glaze firing (G, n = 17). After insertion as well as after one and three years (P: n = 9, G: n = 9) of clinical use color measurements were performed using spectrophotometry, and color differences (ΔE00) were calculated. Wear was assessed by digital surface comparison of baseline and the two follow-up scans using three-dimensional analysis software. Reference teeth (R) were defined and evaluated comparable to the P and F groups. Biological and technical complications were recorded throughout the observation period. Results: Color deviations increased over time in all groups (P, G, R). After three years, G showed lower mean color differences (ΔE00 ≈ 2.77) compared with F (ΔE00 ≈ 5.40), although the difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences in vertical height loss were observed between P and G. One adhesive fracture occurred both in the P and G group, five crowns (P: n = 3, G: n = 2) developed periimplantitis. Conclusions: Both polishing and glazing resulted in comparable clinical outcomes regarding color stability, wear behavior, and complication rates. Clinical Significance: Both finishing protocols might be a reliable option for LAD hybrid abutment crowns. Full article

Background: Preparing patients for oncological therapy requires the elimination of foci of infection in accordance with Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) guidelines. Complications of dental caries, such as abscesses, can lead to sepsis. In Poland, the pre-oncologic dental treatment of patients with hematopoietic disorders does not yet meet MASCC/ISOO standards; however, an inventory of the current status of dental care for these patients is ongoing. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of dental caries and to define the local caries risk factors in adult patients prior to Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) as a part of anticancer therapy. Additionally, the time available for dental treatment was assessed. Methods: A total of 302 patients were examined. Dental status was determined based on the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth and on treatment needs. Local caries risk factors, such as poor dietary habits, insufficient oral hygiene, and symptoms of reduced salivary flow, were examined. The diet was assessed using a questionnaire; tooth cleaning efficiency was assessed as a percentage of dental surfaces with biofilm. Symptoms of reduced salivary flow were determined by subjective and clinical signs of low salivary secretion. Results: Active (progressive) dental caries was diagnosed in 85.2% of patients. Insufficient oral hygiene had been found in 71.52% of those examined. Symptoms of hyposalivation were present in 85% of patients. In 31% of cases, time available for dental treatment prior to HSCT was too short. Conclusions: Tooth decay, the presence of caries risk factors, and insufficient time for oral treatment in patients submitted to HSCT represent a serious clinical problem. There is a clear need to establish comprehensive oral health protocols aimed at providing patients with appropriate, urgent dental care. Furthermore, coordination between oncologists and dentists in Poland must be improved. Currently patients are rarely referred to a dentist before starting anticancer therapy; those scheduled to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, usually see a dentist too late. Full article

Cheese whey, a byproduct of the dairy industry, has a high organic load and nutrient availability, associated with parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), representing an environmental problem when improperly disposed, and even considering the traditional biological wastewater treatment (secondary treatment), a polishing step (tertiary treatment) could be required in order to meet legislation parameters of discharge in water bodies. This study evaluated the efficiency of co-cultivation between the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the tertiary (advanced) treatment of dairy effluent. The process was operated in batch mode to optimize the COD:N ratio and, subsequently, in semicontinuous mode applying the volumetric replacement rates (VRRs) of 40% and 60%. In the batch stage, the COD:N ratio of 20 stood out as the most balanced in terms of nutritional requirement, achieving removal rates of 85.49% for COD, 96.23% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and 100% for TP. In the semicontinuous system, a VRR of 40% optimized nitrogen (91.67%) and phosphorus (95.93%) recovery while COD was also removed (71.68%). The pH remained stable within the range of 7.0 to 7.5 at the end of the process, indicating self-buffering of the consortium. Biomass production reached 915 mg·L⁻¹ (dry cell weight) in batch operation mode and 720 mg·L⁻¹ in semicontinuous mode (VRR of 40%). The results confirmed that the T. obliquus and S. cerevisiae co-cultivation constitutes a stable and sustainable strategy for nutrient recovery during dairy wastewater treatment, aligning with the principles of circular bioeconomy. Full article

This article explores how historic avant-garde works can be considered as aesthetic technologies or time machines conditioning an audience to experience the future differently. Rather than revisiting well-known Western scholars, it turns to perhaps lesser known “Cold War” theorists and critics: Polish art scholar Andrzej Turowski, Yugoslavian–Croation literary scholar Aleksandar Flaker, and Russian–Estonian semiotician Juri Lotman. In rather different ways, these thinkers considered avant-garde works as artefacts that, in an audience’s phenomenological encounter with them, model and yield different experiences of the future. In the closing section of the article, Gerrit Rietveld’s model for the Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht is discussed. Rietveld’s model reminds us that theoretical speculation should always be accompanied also by historical contextualization, in part because many of the historic avant-garde’s projected futures are now also futures anterior, the history of which might further shed light on the avant-garde’s actual futurity. Full article

Groundwater is a key strategic resource underpinning water security, and its effective management requires reliable, high-frequency monitoring data. In mountainous regions such as the flysch Carpathians in southern Poland, natural springs are particularly sensitive indicators of aquifer system dynamics. This study analyzes the role of springs in the national groundwater observation and research network and identifies barriers to the implementation of automated monitoring of spring discharge. The research covered 28 springs operating within the regional monitoring network of the Polish Geological Institute—National Research Institute in the Carpathian region. Classical hydrogeological spring classifications were applied and complemented with proprietary criteria addressing formal-legal, technical, and environmental conditions affecting the feasibility of automation. The results show that all of the analysed springs exhibited a Meinzer’s variability index (V) exceeding 100%, and numerous objects showed a coefficient of variation (CV) above 150%, providing quantitative evidence that standard weekly manual measurements statistically fail to capture rapid flow dynamics and peak discharge events. To bridge the gap between hydrodynamic observations and monitoring logistics, this study introduces a novel methodological contribution: the F-T-S-N screening framework. This proprietary, multi-criteria classification quantifies Formal-legal, Technical, Structural, and Nature-environmental barriers to telemetry implementation. The application of this framework demonstrates that the main obstacles to modernization are non-technological. The proposed classification serves as a practical, transferable tool that supports the rational planning of monitoring network automation in other mountainous regions with similar hydrogeological conditions. Full article

Postprandial variability in glucose and protein levels is one of the elements of insulin resistance (IR) and prediabetes, which is an area precursor to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The objective of the study was a comprehensive proteomic analysis according to glucose tolerance in the general population who did not self-report DM or other diseases. We used Olink^® Reveal, a novel, high-throughput platform by Olink Proteomics based on their Proximity Extension Assay (PEA), to identify levels of 1034 circulating proteins in small volumes (4 µL) of plasma samples. The study enrolled 508 participants (mean age 52 ± 10.5 years, 47.2% men) from the population-based study, Bialystok PLUS Polish Longitudinal University Study. The study population was categorized according to glucose metabolism in comparison to impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and newly diagnosed DM. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) adjusted for age, weight, fat mass, lean mass, and body mass index (BMI), identified 19 proteins significantly associated with categories of glucose tolerance. Of the five markers with the greatest ability to distinguish newly diagnosed diabetes from non-diabetic participants, paralemmin 2 performed best (AUC = 0.81; 77% sensitivity, 75% specificity), whereas furin was the most accurate for detecting any abnormal glucose regulation (AUC = 0.69). A linear regression model adjusted for the same confounding factors showed statistically significant associations between Hb_A1c levels and 37 proteins. Our findings highlight multiple proteins with significantly different levels across categories of glucose tolerance, especially between the healthy controls and the group with newly diagnosed DM. The consistent patterns of protein level differences, independent of body composition, suggest potential involvement in the progression of glucose metabolism disturbances and provide unique insights into pathomechanisms. These findings identify PALM2, FURIN, PDZK1, ACAA1, and IL18R1 as potential biomarkers of early dysglycemia. Full article

The goal of laser polishing (LP) is to improve the surface quality of functional parts, components, and assemblies. LP is a complex nonlinear thermophysical process, in which laser radiation induces localized melting of a material with an initially rough surface topography. During LP, the thermodynamic state evolves dynamically due to transient melt flow, heat transfer, and rapid solidification within the laser–material interaction zone. A smooth surface is formed through the interplay between surface tension-driven flow, which promotes energy minimization, and nonequilibrium effects associated with melting and solidification. From the perspective of self-organization, LP can be interpreted as an open system driven by energy input, where complex material redistribution leads to the evolution of surface topography. In this work, the self-organization of molten material is analyzed using chaos-based descriptors, including the Lyapunov exponent, phase portrait, approximate entropy, and the Hurst exponent, calculated from measured surface topographies before and after laser polishing. The results show that LP acts as a spatial low-pass filter, reducing high-frequency surface components associated with micromilling marks, and exhibits a directional bias in material redistribution relative to the laser scanning direction. Among the evaluated descriptors, the Lyapunov and Hurst exponents demonstrate consistent behaviors, indicating their suitability as robust indicators of surface state in post-process analysis. For the investigated conditions (Inconel 718), a laser fluence of 158.3 mJ/cm² provided the best-achieved surface quality, corresponding to an improvement in surface roughness (Ra) of approximately 70% and the lowest Lyapunov exponent of 1.966 and highest Hurst exponent of 0.859. This study demonstrates that chaos-based analysis of surface topography provides a phenomenological framework for assessing process stability and surface evolution, offering a basis for thermophysics-informed development of LP in applications such as mold and die manufacturing. Full article

Diet quality, nutrition knowledge, and psychosomatic literacy—defined as the understanding of the interactions between diet, gut microbiota, and mental well-being—may shape weight-related behaviours in youth. This study used a cross-sectional design to integrate these domains with digital information pathways in Central–Eastern Europe. This study assessed diet quality, nutrition, and psychosomatic knowledge, supplement use, and health-information sources among Polish adolescents and young adults, with emphasis on age-related differences and the role of social media. A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey (October 2025–January 2026) was conducted in Poland (final analytical sample: n = 478; adolescents 15–19 years vs. young adults 20–30 years). Of 591 individuals who accessed the survey, 478 were included in the final analytical sample. Diet quality was estimated from FFQ data using KomPAN-derived indices (pHDI-10, nHDI-14, DQI). Nutrition knowledge (0–25 points), psychosomatic/gut–brain indicators, supplementation, and information sources were analysed using χ²/Fisher tests and Mann–Whitney U tests with effect sizes. The primary outcomes measured were dietary supplement use and excess body weight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Multivariable logistic regression examined predictors of supplement use and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². Overall diet quality was low to moderate, with limited intake of whole grains, legumes, and fish, and common nutrition misconceptions. Social media was the most frequently indicated source of diet/supplement information and was independently associated with more frequent supplement use (OR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.43–3.64). Adolescents reported lower whole-grain intake and more misconceptions than young adults. Predictors of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² included male sex (OR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.46–4.15), lower education, and lower nutrition knowledge, while age showed a non-linear positive association with excess body weight. Polish adolescents and young adults show gaps between declared pro-health attitudes and actual diet quality/competencies. Social media reliance appears particularly linked to product-oriented behaviours (supplementation). Prevention should strengthen nutrition and food safety education, digital health literacy, and professional guidance on supplementation, especially in adolescents. Our findings suggest that social media is a primary driver for dietary supplementation among Polish youth, more so than objective nutrition knowledge. While diet quality is linked to weight status, the relationship is complex. These results may inform future public health interventions targeting digital health literacy to promote balanced nutrition and safe supplementation practices. Full article