Polyphenols form a diverse group of compounds containing at least two hydroxyl groups in their chemical structure. Because of the common presence in plant kingdom, polyphenols are considered a significant component of food and an important group of compounds with antioxidant properties. The absorption of polyphenols present in food depends mostly on the activity of intestinal microflora. However, little is known about the processes and interactions responsible for such phenomenon in guts ecosystem. There are only few available publications that examine the effect on polyphenols on intestinal microbiota. Therefore, this work will focus on describing the relationship between polyphenol compounds present in food and bacteria colonizing the intestines, their mechanism, and impact on human’s health.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the most effective and rapid types of geophysical surveys methods. The variety of its uses is limited only by the availability of components such as antennas with different frequencies of emitted radio waves. The application of GPR ranges from engineering applications and geological investigations to assessing the condition of old trees. The authors tested GPR measurements in a geological exploration of a newly discovered limestone cave in the Ś więtokrzyskie Mountains region, the Odstrzelona Cave in Kowala, near the village of that name. Investigations were ordered by the municipality of Sitkó wka-Nowiny, in the Ś więtokrzyskie district in Poland. GPR surveys were conducted in the vicinity of a known cave entrance to see if information could be gained on nearby karst features. GPR investigations documented two additional chambers and a few more openings in the limestone. Unfortunately, they are probably too small to explore.

An infrastructure development requires a precise indoor localization plan of cables, pipes or reinforcing elements. Due to the age of many buildings in Poland such plans often do not exist or do not contain the evidence of numerous activities carried out over years like repairs or modifications. Due to this situation demands for application of geophysical methods grow, especially with respect to the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method. A possibility of precise localization of hidden objects arises with the use of high frequency antennas together and with precise measuring grid. Research carried out at the request of one of the departments of AGH University of Science and Technology in building B2 showed great potential of GPR methods in this field. The study was devoted to recognition of structure of the concrete floor. The obtained results gave very precise location of numerous objects of interest and they became a good sample of high resolution investigations. The survey was performed with ProEx unit, produced by a Swedish company Mala Geoscience, which is in the possession of the

Abstract:Modern measuring equipment is sometimes used for applications, for which it has not been originally designed. For example Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), designed for subsurface structures analysis, can be used for tree tomography. Radar utilizes the phenomenon of propagation of the electromagnetic waves in a physical medium. Measurements can be carried out in situ, in a non-invasive manner on a living tree. Collected data allow for the tree condition determination. It is possible to detect voids and internal structure. Geophysical investigations can provide an estimation of the risk of falling of the trees. These methods also allow determination of the production quality of the tree by detecting knots inside the structure. Available literature shows only limited examples of the usage of other geophysical surveys, such as the ultrasound and geoelectrical method. However, in many cases these measurements are performed on samples in the form of profiles cut from the felled trees. Presented study was conducted on a set of 8 ash trees growing in the Krakow city parks. The measurement was carried out with high frequency antenna -1600 MHz. Due to the lack of available literature and limited experience of the authors, only trees with known condition were tested. Despite many attempts, the authors were not able to developed a reliable measurement methodology which would allow for unambiguous classification and interpretation of results. In most cases, the results of the study permitted determination of the trees condition. However, some echograms, of the surveyed trees with visible voids pointed to a different tree state and misclassification. Despite that, the research results seem to be promising and the authors believe in the usefulness of the further development of measurement method along with its extension to other trees species.