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Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) is an emerging advancement in DBS technology; however, local field potential (LFP) signal rate detection sufficient for aDBS algorithms and the methods to set-up aDBS have yet to be defined. Here we summarize sensing data and aDBS programming steps associated with the ongoing Adaptive DBS Algorithm for Personalized Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease (ADAPT-PD) pivotal trial (NCT04547712). Sixty-eight patients were enrolled with either subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus internus DBS leads connected to a Medtronic Percept TM PC neurostimulator. During the enrollment and screening procedures, a LFP (8–30 Hz, ≥1.2 µVp) control signal was identified by clinicians in 84.8% of patients on medication (65% bilateral signal), and in 92% of patients off medication (78% bilateral signal). The ADAPT-PD trial sensing data indicate a high LFP signal presence in both on and off medication states of these patients, with bilateral signal in the majority, regardless of PD phenotype.

Due to various regulations (e.g., the Basel III Accord), banks need to keep a specified amount of capital to reduce the impact of their insolvency. This equity can be calculated using, e.g., the Internal Rating Approach, enabling institutions to develop their own statistical models. In this regard, one of the most important parameters is the loss given default, whose correct estimation may lead to a healthier and riskless allocation of the capital. Unfortunately, since the loss given default distribution is a bimodal application of the modeling methods (e.g., ordinary least squares or regression trees), aiming at predicting the mean value is not enough. Bimodality means that a distribution has two modes and has a large proportion of observations with large distances from the middle of the distribution; therefore, to overcome this fact, more advanced methods are required. To this end, to model the entire loss given default distribution, in this article we present the weighted quantile Regression Forest algorithm, which is an ensemble technique. We evaluate our methodology over a dataset collected by one of the biggest Polish banks. Through our research, we show that weighted quantile Regression Forests outperform “single” state-of-the-art models in terms of their accuracy and the stability.

A collection of herbs from the natural environment remains not only a source of raw material but also provides evidence of chemical differentiation of the local populations. This work aimed at performing a phytosociological analysis of seven different stands of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) occurrence. A determination of total phenolic compounds and salicylates and the antioxidant activity of dried meadowsweet inflorescences (Flos ulmariae) was also performed. Active chemical compounds in F. ulmaria inflorescences were related to chemotype and diversified between investigated populations. Geographical distance and variation in phytosociological locations affected chemical composition in different ways, shaping the content of biochemical compounds crucial for herbal material quality. The obtained results can be a valuable indicator for Nexo and Baligród populations, which are good genetic material for research, breeding, and cultivation due to their biochemical composition, especially with respect to salicylates, as major compounds of determining market quality of Flos ulmariae.

Objective. The primary objective was to evaluate predictors of quality of life (QOL) and functional outcomes following deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. The secondary objective was to identify predictors of global improvement. Methods. PD patients who underwent DBS at our Center from 2006 to 2011 were evaluated by chart review and email/phone survey. Postoperative UPDRS II and EQ-5D were analyzed using simple linear regression adjusting for preoperative score. For global outcomes, we utilized the Patient Global Impression of Change Scale (PGIS) and the Clinician Global Impression of Change Scale (CGIS). Results. There were 130 patients in the dataset. Preoperative and postoperative UPDRS II and EQ-5D were available for 45 patients, PGIS for 67 patients, and CGIS for 116 patients. Patients with falls/postural instability had 6-month functional scores and 1-year QOL scores that were significantly worse than patients without falls/postural instability. For every 1-point increase in preoperative UPDRS III and for every 1-unit increase in body mass index (BMI), the 6-month functional scores significantly worsened. Patients with tremors, without dyskinesia, and without gait-freezing were more likely to have “much” or “very much” improved CGIS. Conclusions. Presence of postural instability, high BMI, and worse baseline motor scores were the greatest predictors of poorer functional and QOL outcomes after DBS.

The main purpose of this paper is to assess energy consumption with a breakdown into main sectors of the countries that belong to the Visegrad Group. The specific objectives aim to determine changes in energy absorption, its productivity, structure by sectors and to show the similarities of the Visegrad Group countries to the other EU states in terms of the sectoral energy absorption structure. All members of the Visegrad group, i.e., Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were purposefully selected for the study as of 31 December 2018. The research period covered the years 1990–2018. The sources of gathered information were the literature on the subject and OECD data. The following methods were used for the analysis and presentation of materials: explanations, tabular and graphical depictions, descriptive statistics, dynamics indicators, and cluster analysis performed with the following methods: k-means, hierarchical agglomerative clusters and DIvisive ANAlysis (DIANA). There is a limited number of previous studies on the relationship between the national level of economic development and energy consumption in different sectors of industry. Additionally, there are no such analytical projects concerning EU states. The article fills the research gap in this area. It was established that the dynamics of productivity growth over the nine years (2010–2018) was similar in the countries of the Visegrad group and on average for the EU. This means that the members of the Visegrad group did not actually improve their energy efficiency as compared to the EU average. The reason may be the increasingly faster implementation of modern technologies in developed economies of Western Europe as compared to the developing countries, which include the members of the Visegrad group. The conversion of the economy had a very large impact on changing the structure of energy absorption by sector. Industry and agriculture lost their importance. On the other hand, the transport and service sectors benefited. As a result of the cluster analysis, all EU (European Union) states were divided into four groups. Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary found themselves in one group, along with most Western European countries. This may mean that the economies of these states have become unified with highly developed economic systems. Slovakia found itself in the group of states with a greater importance of industry. The study complements the contribution to the theory. From a practical point of view, it shows the impact of economic transformation on changes in energy consumption in individual sectors, which may be a model of transition in this area.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the area under rapeseed cultivation on the economic performance and organization of farms. The study was conducted in 164 rapeseed farms in different Polish voivodeships. A targeted sampling procedure was used to select farms for the study. The studied population was divided into four groups depending on area under rapeseed cultivation rates. The selected farms were located in voivodeships with the highest rapeseed acreage rates of the total cropped area. The economic performance of the examined farms improved with increases in rapeseed area. Farms with larger rapeseed areas were characterized by higher production values and better economic performance. On average, the total production value per farm was highest in the group of farms with rapeseed areas of 20.1–30 ha. Similar results were noted when total production values were expressed per ha of arable land, per full-time employee and per man-hour. Total production value was lowest in farms with the smallest rapeseed areas. Farms with the largest areas under rapeseed cultivation achieved the highest farm household income. The farm household income values per full-time employee and per man-hour were highest in farms with the largest areas under rapeseed cultivation. The values of fixed assets and current assets increased with increases in rapeseed area. Most farms were run by owners with secondary school education. The highest percentages of farmers with university education were noted in farms with rapeseed areas of 10–20.1 ha (37.5%) and above 30 ha (30.4%). The vast majority of farms from all groups were run by male farmers. The research results could be useful for policy makers, because they indicate that rapeseed production can not only be profitable but can also be used for biofuel production.

The study was conducted in October 2020 and March 2021 among Wroclaw Medical University students of different years and faculties. The objective of the study was to establish the relationship between some determinants, such as gender and the levels of physical activity, and the quality of sleep of medical students during the pandemic. Ultimately, 696 responses from October and 652 from March were included. To determine the level of physical activity, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used, and for sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used. The findings pointed to a higher Total MET m/w (metabolic equivalent of task in minutes a week) in men compared to women in both study periods (2020: 1845.8 to 1542.5, p = 0.009; 2021: 2040.7 to 1826.6, p = 0.025). This was mainly due to a higher Vigorous Exercises MET m/w in men (2020: 837.3 to 635.8, p = 0.008; 2021: 773.3 to 490.3, p = 0.0006). Moreover, women had a lower quality of sleep resulting from problems in Habitual Sleep Efficiency, Sleep Disturbances, and Daytime Dysfunctions. An adequate level of physical activity and a good night’s rest are the fundaments of health; therefore, it is necessary to determine the causes of their deficiencies in order that we can counteract them.

The study included gall nuts caused by Cynips quercusfolii collected from Quercus robur and Andricus infectorius, harvested from Quercus infectoria. The evaluation of the percentage content of tannins expressed as a pyrogallol was performed using the analytical methodology recommended by the current “European Pharmacopoeia 10”. In order to compare the chemical composition of the tested samples, chromatographic profiles and ion mass distribution spectra were made using high-performance liquid chromatography techniques coupled with two types of detection: spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry. The average content of tannins expressed as pyrogallol for C. quercusfolii ranged from 13.36% to 14.74%, while for A. infectorius it was from 34.77% to 39.95%. The comparison of both the mass spectra and the chromatographic profiles shows a high similarity of all samples of C. quercusfolii and large differences in the chemical composition compared to A. infectorius. The tested C. quercusfolii should be considered a much poorer tannin source than A. infectorius. It cannot be simultaneously treated as its substitute raw material due to the lower tannins percentage content and different chemical composition. However, compared to other Central European herbal raw materials, C. quercusfolii gall nuts are an alternative tannin source with potential use in herbal medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.