Life cycle assessment (LCA) and energy assessment of the production and use of windows in residential buildings.

There is an observable scarcity of comprehensive research results comparing the environmental damage associated with both the production of windows and their subsequent operation. The environmental impact of the operation of windows depends on their thermal insulation parameters, and thus the amount of heat that must be generated to heat the building. The type of heating system and, above all, the type of fuel used to generate heat are also not without significance. Unfortunately, in Poland, a significant proportion of single-family houses operate on the fossil fuel heating system, including on coal and fuel oil. It is therefore important to present an environmental balance sheet of both the production and operation of windows for different variants of building heating. The purpose of the study was to determine: to what extent the manufacturing of windows of different construction and different insulation parameters affects the environment, to what extent does the negative environmental impact of the process of manufacturing with greater insulation compensate by the lower environmental impact related to savings on fuel (gas, coal, fuel oil) used to generate heat during the operation of windows. Three types of windows were selected for a detailed analysis: a triple-glazed aluminum construction, a double-glazed PVC construction and a triple-glazed PVC. The research results show that in the case of all impact categories, the greater environmental losses related to the improvement of the thermal insulation parameters of the windows at the production stage are fully compensated at the stage of their useful life, regardless of the type of fuel used to heat the buildings. Double-glazed PVC windows should be phased out of production due to significant environmental footprint associated with their operation.

Assessing the impact of water use in conventional and organic carrot production in Poland.

As global water resources are decreasing and the demand for it is constantly increasing, the problem of proper water management is becoming more pressing. Poland is one of the largest producers of vegetables in Europe, including carrots, with significant exports. However its freshwater resources are relatively small. The paper presents the results of research on the water footprint (WF) life cycle assessment (LCA) in conventional and organic carrot production. The methodology of calculating WF was used in accordance with PN-EN ISO 14046. It was found, e.g., that WF for organic production of carrot (WF = 1.9 m3 ha-1) is over five times lower, as compared to conventional production (WF = 10.4 m3 ha-1). In the case of conventional production, the fertilization process (67.0-67.7%) has the greatest impact on the shaping of WF in the individual impact categories, i.e. Human Health, Ecosystem Quality and resources. In organic production, the WF-shaping factor is carrot harvesting (41.9-43.1%). The research can be used to develop pro-ecological carrot production technologies, as well as to shape sustainable development plans in agricultural areas. It can also be used to outline policy directions regarding foreign trade in water-consuming agricultural products.

Automated Microclimate Regulation in Agricultural Facilities Using the Air Curtain System.

Creating and maintaining the microclimate in livestock buildings is associated with numerous engineering and technical challenges. Together with adequate feeding, the microclimate determines the health, reproductive ability, and production potential of the animals (obtaining a maximum amount of high-quality products). One of the deciding steps in improving the parameters of microclimate, i.e., temperature and humidity in agricultural facilities, particularly in livestock buildings, is to develop reliable and highly efficient air curtains in the vestibules. The objective of the manuscript is to investigate the parameters of the microclimate in livestock buildings using the air curtain, supported by automation and ICT technologies for rational operating modes. The presented theoretical and experimental studies on improving the microclimate parameters in livestock buildings were carried out using an innovative air curtain system. Its power is calculated based on the dimensions of the room, and the flow rate of warm air near the floor level is three times lower than at the installation site. The use of air curtains reduces consumption of thermal energy needed to maintain an optimal microclimate for livestock by 10-15%. Furthermore, the use of an automated digital control system maintains an optimal microclimate in the building. The developed energy-saving system for creating an optimal micro-climate in livestock buildings using air curtains was tested in a pigsty of the Research and Training Farm "Vorzel" of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, located in the Kiev region. The developed automated microclimate system using air curtains significantly improves the microclimate parameters and significantly reduces power consumption. The system can be further developed by adding remote control based on the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Environmental impact of the cultivation of energy willow in Poland.

The purpose of the work is to analyze the structure of the environmental impact of energy willow cultivation (Salix spp.) on plantations of various sizes, divided per materials and processes. The research covered 15 willow plantations, ranging from 0.31 ha to 12 ha, located in southern Poland. It was found, among others, that the so-called processes, i.e. the use of technical means of production, dominate the structure of the environmental impact (EI) related to the cultivation of energy willow, and that the cultivation of energy willow on larger plantations has a much lower environmental impact compared to cultivation on smaller plantations. Also, in the case of the environmental impact of processes, the largest environmental impact was recorded in the human health category, which is mainly associated with the consumption of fuel, i.e. diesel. It was determined, e.g., that the cultivation of energetic willow on larger plantations is characterized by a much lower environmental impact (as per the cultivation area), at approx. 108 Pt, compared to the cultivation on smaller plantations, where the value of the environmental impact is 168 Pt. A decisively dominant position in the structure of the environmental impact (EI), related to the cultivation of energy willow, is held by the so-called processes, i.e. the use of technical means of production. Their share in the total environmental impact decreases from 148.5 Pt in the group of the smallest plantations to 77.9 Pt in the group of the largest plantations.

The Effect of Noninvasive Bariatric Surgery on the Levels of Certain Adipokines and Atherosclerosis Risk Factors in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

Objective: Besides glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, visceral obesity is one of the most important atherogenic pathological factors in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study is to examine whether weight loss following BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB-system) therapy affects adipokine concentration and atherosclerosis risk factor profile in patients with MetS.Methods: The study group comprised 30 patients (17 female, BMI = 38.5 ± 8.6 kg/m2; 13 male, BMI = 43.3 ± 7 kg/m2) with MetS qualified to BIB-system therapy. The control group included 18 age matched healthy volunteers (10 female, BMI = 23.3 ± 2.8 kg/m2 and eight male, BMI = 27.3 ± 0.9 kg/m2). Biochemical analyses of blood samples and anthropometric measurements were conducted, before and after six-month BIB system therapy.Results: BIB therapy resulted in a significant drop in body weight, and body fat percentage, and in BMI, VAI, WHtR, BAI, TG, glucose, hsCRP, and leptin levels. In addition Tc/HDL, LDL/HDL, TG/HDL, and leptin/adiponectin ratios fell significantly, and adiponectin concentration increased. All anthropometric parameters apart from Tc and hsCRP, were significantly different post-therapy compared to healthy controls. The therapy induced downregulation of hsCRP which was positively correlated with the reduction in body weight, BMI and BAI. The decrease in leptin concentration correlated positively with the fall in total cholesterol and body weight. The fall in leptin/adiponectin ratio positively correlated with the downregulation of BAI and body fat.Conclusion: BIB therapy appears to have beneficial effects on MetS. This is indicated by amelioration of the pro-inflammatory status related to obesity, demonstrated by an improved lipid profile significant downregulation of hsCRP concentration following therapy.

[Chosen anthropometric parameters and concentrations of leptin and adiponectin in extreme obese patients treated with implantation of a gastric balloon]. / Wybrane parametry antropometryczne oraz stezenie leptyny i adiponektyny u pacjentów ze skrajna otyloscia leczonych implantacja balonem zoladkowym.

UNLABELLED: Fatty tissue derived adipocytokines regulate appetite, but in abnormal concentration impair systemic metabolic homeostasis and make the patients prone to inflammatory related disorders. The aim of study was to examine whether weight loss in patients after implementation of a gastric balloon is reflected in changes in chosen anthropometrical parameters and in the concentration of leptin and adiponectin in serum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 18 extreme obese patients (BMI>39.9, mean age 39.5±12.1 years, 12 men, 6 women), undergoing implementation of a gastric balloon for 6 months. The control group consisted of 18 healthy volunteers. The adiponectin and leptin concentrations in the sera and the calculated % body fat and indicators: BMI, WHR, VAI, BAI, WHtR were determined prior to implementation and after the balloon removal and then further parameters were calculated: % excessive weight loss, % weight loss. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All the parameters and leptin concentration in the tested group were markedly upregulated and adiponectin concentration was significantly lower compared to controls. Reduction in the body mass in patients subjected to BIB, reflected in leptin and anthropometrical parameters down-regulation, (except WHR and VAI), was accompanied with normalization of adiponectin concentration that affect metabolism and is important regulator of hunger and satiety.