Computational gait analysis constitutes a useful tool for quantitative assessment of gait disturbances, improving functional diag nosis, assessment of treatment planning, and monitoring of disease progress. There is little research on use of computational gait analysis in neurorehabilitation of post-stroke survivors, but current evidence on its clinical application supports a favorable cost-benefit ratio. The research was conducted among 50 adult people: 25 of them after ischemic stroke constituted the study group, and 25 healthy volunteers constituted the reference group. Study group members were treated for 2 weeks (10 neurorehabilitation sessions). Spatio-temporal gait parameters were assessed before and after therapy and compared using a novel fuzzy-based assessment tool, fractal dimension measurement and gait classification based on artificial neural networks. Measured results of rehabilitation (changes of gait parameters) were statistically relevant and reflected recovery. There is good evidence to extend its use to patients with various gait diseases undergoing neurorehabilitation. However, methodology for properly conducting and interpreting the proposed assessment and analysis procedures, providing validity and reliability of their results remains a key issue. More objective clinical reasoning, based on proposed novel tools, requires further research.

In Poland, about sixty fungicides are registered for chemical protection of potato crops against late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and some of them are effective against early blight (Alternaria spp.). Time of appearance of pathogens in potato crops depends on climatic conditions. In Bonin climatic conditions in the years 1998-2002, early blight was observed at the earliest date i.e. 41-56 days after potato planting. Trials carried out at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute Bonin have shown different usefulness of fungicides in control of some pathogens of potato. The tested fungicides varied in their mobility (contact, translaminar, systemic) and activity against pathogens (protectant, curative, eradicative). All tested fungicides were effective in control of late blight in potato crops. They inhibited the rate of late blight development and in most cases the differences of their effectiveness were not significant. Systemic fungicides with slower mobility have the best efficacy in control of late blight infections occurring on potato stems. In laboratory tests, mancozeb, propineb and mixture of metalaxyl and mancozeb were significantly more effective in inhibiting the development of Alternaria. Fungicides, which are effective in the control of different pathogens, are particularly useful in potato protection programs.

One of the negative aspects of the intensive use of herbicides is related to the selection of resistant biotypes (Gasquez 2001). Of all biotypes resistant to herbicides, 93 species do not respond to sulfonylurea herbicides (ALS-inhibiting herbicides). The acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme is the first step in biosynthesis of a branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine). In Poland the problem of resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides has been discussed since 2001 (Rola and Marczewska 2002). Resistance tests of Apera spica-venti biotypes were conducted in the greenhouse conditions. Chlorsulfuron was applied at the four-leaf stage of development at rates ranging from 11.25 to 360 g/ha. In confirmation of resistance to chlorsulfuron as identified in biological tests, the chemical analyses were performed. The analyses investigated the influence of different doses of chlorsulfuron on free amino acids content in the aboveground part of resistant and susceptible Apera spica-venti. The analyses were carried out applying high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC). The resistance of the biotype was confirmed in amino acids analysis. In the resistant biotype followed the increase of valine, leucine and isoleucine concentration in comparison with untreated plants and those susceptible to chlorsulfuron biotype.

This paper presents problems of technological equipment vibromonitoring. Mechatronic systems designed for monitoring and control of complex rotary machines can be implemented effectively only when alert or critical levels of the monitored parameters are well known and sources of parameter deviations can be determined. Vibrodiagnostics is a powerful tool, which can be used for diagnosing of machine defects. However, in the case of complex rotary machines, it is very complicated to trace all sources of vibrations (e.g. internal defects). Therefore, attempts of vibration modeling are made aimed at evaluating the influence of various parameters on vibroactivity of a certain machine.