Jan Długosz University

About: Jan Długosz University is a education organization based out in Częstochowa, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Crystal structure & Luminescence. The organization has 749 authors who have published 2311 publications receiving 19395 citations. The organization is also known as: Higher Teacher Education School.

Neumann boundary-value problems for a time-fractional diffusion-wave equation in a half-plane

Abstract: The time-fractional diffusion-wave equation with the Caputo derivative of the order 0<@a<2 is considered in a half-plane. Two types of Neumann boundary condition are examined: the mathematical condition with the prescribed boundary value of the normal derivative and the physical one with the prescribed boundary value of the matter flux.

Feelings Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Patients Treated in the Oncology Clinics (Poland)

Abstract: Background. The number of cancer patients is constantly growing. Both WHO and IARC report that this number may reach up to 24 million new diagnosed cases in the next two decades. The proposed treatment and especially the diagnosis can have a significant impact on an individual's approach to the disease, as well as on the patient's quality of life. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life, feelings and fear of cancer-treating oncological patients, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. The study used the standardized WHOQOL quality of life questionnaire in a shortened version, the COVID-19 fear scale (FCV-19S) and the AIS disease acceptance scale (in terms of cancer-related sensations). The questionnaire survey was conducted among patients of cancer clinics (Poland). The study was conducted in two stages - before the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020). Data from 450 correctly completed questionnaires were analyzed statistically. The obtained data were statistically processed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test (p=0.05). Results. Among the surveyed patients of the cancer clinic, the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased by 2%, compared to the period before the pandemic. The frequency of negative feelings associated with cancer increased during the COVID-19 pandemic - by 11% more men, and 4.4% of women determined the frequency of negative feelings to be 2-3 times a week. The level of fear associated with COVID-19 was moderate (57.1%), with women having a higher level of fear (12.5% higher than men). Conclusion. The development of the epidemic is very important in terms of public health. COVID-19 should be considered as one of the factors that bring about sudden changes in the mental health of the population, which may result from the dynamic development of this disease, dramatic media coverage and own experiences. It has been shown that the sudden appearance of such a large stressor causes a decrease in patients' quality of life and an increase in negative feelings associated with chronic disease.

Correlation between the carbonization temperature and the physical parameters of porous carbons derived from Yucca flaccida

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to develop monolithic ecological carbon materials of high porosity from the woody stems of yucca (Yucca flaccida). Monolithic blocks cut from the stem were carbonized in a nitrogen atmosphere, at the temperature range from 300°C to 950°C with the constant heating rate. The resultant carbon materials were characterized by dimensional changes, yield of char, elemental analysis, and various physical parameters: the true density, the bulk porosity, the longitudinal ultrasonic wave velocity and elastic anisotropy. The thermal decomposition study (TGA) was also performed. The microstructure of longitudinal and transverse sections of stems of raw and carbonized yucca were analysed by SEM. All parameters studied and the microscopic observations were discussed in relation to the pyrolysis temperature.