<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The objective of the proposed experiment was to determine changes in the content of vitamin C in the vegetable material (fresh and processed) during a certain period of time, and to determine the optimal expiry date of a product (in terms of the vitamin C content), as well as to introduce students to common factors adversely affecting the content of vitamin C in food products (with a special emphasis on oxidizing enzymes). The research revealed that regardless of the type of cucumbers (fresh, pickled in brine or in vinegar), the content of vitamin C is rapidly dropping after the destruction of the cellular structure (grating, slicing etc.). In the case of fresh cucumbers, it is a process determined by two factors: release and activation of ascorbinase from the destroyed cellular structure and availability of oxygen. Low pH values in the remaining cases reduce the effect of ascorbinase, and a decrease in the vitamin C content is related to the process of oxidation with atmospheric oxygen.</abstract>

The dynamics of vitamin C content in fresh and processed cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) / Dynamika zmian zawartości witaminy C w ogórku świeżym (Cucumis sativus L.) i jego przetworach

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The early history of experiments in which an inflammable air was prepared is outlined. Once hydrogen had been discovered by Cavendish in 1766, the world of science and technology was given a colossal impetus. Its scientific and social consequences form the main focus of this essay. Special attention is given to explain why experiments were done, and their aims. The many difficulties which confronted scientists in the interpretation of their results are discussed. Timelines have been used in order to facilitate an understanding of the evolution of ideas. A particular emphasis is given to the story of how, through spectral analysis of the hydrogen atom, our understanding of atomic structure developed. Experiments involving hydrogen constitute important teaching material in schools. Detailed instructions are given for making hydrogen in the laboratory and for demonstrating its lightness and flammability. Suggestions are made of how to use these reactions to teach a wide variety of chemical concepts and facts.</abstract>

Hydrogen - Some Historical Highlights

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Decomposition of cellulose to glucose requires complex cooperation of glycoside hydrolase enzymes. As a result of glycoside β-1,4 bonds hydrolysis, shorter chains of cellulose, oligodextrin, cellobiose and glucose are created. A number of bacteria and fungi demonstrate the capacity to degrade cellulose. Their activity can be assessed with the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods with the use of e.g. Congo red, are used in screening studies, however, they do not provide information about the quantity of the produced enzyme. Spectrophotometric methods are more accurate and they measure the quantities of reducing sugars with the use of appropriate substrates, e.g. carboxymethylcellulose is used to determine endoglucanases, avicel cellulose to determine exoglucanases and Whatman filter paper to determine total cellulolytic activity. Activity of microorganisms depends not only on their species or type but also, among others, on substratum composition, cultivation conditions and the appropriate selection of parameters of the carried out enzymatic reactions.</abstract>

Determining Cellulolytic Activity of Microorganisms

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In 1800 Alessandro Volta published the results of several years’ work on the phenomenon of electric shocks which he experienced from physical contact with the terminals of his newly developed battery. His work was prompted by Luigi Galvani's explanation of involuntary muscle spasms in frog's legs, which he induced and attributed to animal electricity. Volta's paper opened the floodgates for research in the new field of electrochemistry which has resulted in today's worldwide electric battery industry. This essay explains the sequence of natural events and their explanations which led to the publication of Volta's paper, and gives an overview of the scientific research resulting from Volta's work. This research includes attempts to improve batteries, and the development of ideas which led to a better understanding of matter and the way it interacts with energy. Practical details for the teaching of several important chemical concepts are listed in the appendix. The experiments are related to a reaction which has been known for many centuries - that between iron and copper sulphate solution.
</abstract>

Chemical Electricity

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Development of science interests is one of many elements of the daily teachers' work at school. Finding out interesting forms of working with school students and their proper application at school allows for increasing science interests and to achieve many didactic aims. One of many of such proposals is an informal teaching which can be carried out while students participate in the various workshops, out of school meetings or science fairs.</abstract>

Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. R Ingardena 3, 30-060 Kraków, Poland

Upper Secondary School No. 6, Kraków, Poland

Science workshops and their role in awakening science interests of children and school students / Warsztaty przyrodnicze i ich rola w rozbudzaniu zainteresowań przyrodniczych dzieci i uczniów

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The history of fire is an important and fascinating topic, yet it is not covered in any school or university syllabus. In the present article, the author argues a case for its inclusion in chemistry teaching programs. He outlines some key points relating to investigations on the nature of combustion processes and the discovery of oxygen. Details are included for a class experiment with gunpowder, which is suitable for school pupils aged 13 to 15.</abstract>

History of Fire

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The global pandemic has forced many people to make significant changes in their work, personal lives, and everyday duties and activities. This metamorphosis has also significantly affected education systems. Implemented research activity in the learning process and emphasised the development of children’s cooperation have recently been limited and often unattainable because of learner isolation, prevailing home education, and different countries’ COVID-19 quarantine measures. Herein, we investigated and tested the 2020 European spring preparedness, commitment, and erudition of in-service and pre-service teachers and parents in remote education. We profiled the following three paradigm models of successful remote education; specific experience of in-service and pre-service chemistry teachers and the parents of school-age children. Here, we concentrated on sensitive identification of the most common problems, disadvantages, and risks. Prospective teacher training should concentrate more on remote education. It should help develop teachers’ didactic competencies and increase their motivation and willingness to participate in this mode of education.
</abstract>

“Covid-19 Shock” and Identified Benefits for Improved Pre-Service Chemistry Teacher Education

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Air pollution emissions from road vehicles majorly contribute to particulate pollution. This poses significant threats to the environment and human health. Road dust contains various potentially toxic elements, which, when exposed to humans, can lead to severe illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This study assessed adult health risks through accidental ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact associated with heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in road dust (with a fraction size &lt; 0.1 mm). The analysis covers areas between sound-absorbing screens (S), in open spaces without screens (F), and at highway/express exits (E) with different surfaces: asphalt (A) and concrete (C). Results indicate the highest health risk levels are associated with Zn in road dust in S and E areas, indicating its potential negative impact on human health. When comparing results for all metals, road dust collected from A surfaces might pose a greater health risk than C surfaces. The carcinogenic risk for Cr and Ni found in road dust collected from A and C surfaces at points S, F, and E is medium. The most significant carcinogenic risk (medium-high) is associated with Cr in road dust from A surfaces in the F area, whereas the lowest risk (low-medium) for both A and C surfaces is linked to Ni exposure in the S point. The contributions of Cr and Ni highlight the need to reduce emissions of these elements in areas surrounding heavily trafficked roads.
</abstract>

Health Hazard Related to Fine Road Dust in Poland

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The high degree of interest in scientific topics (science and research) has been observed especially since the pandemic. This includes the ongoing transition of the chemical industry toward sustainability because the accompanied changes have to be coordinated in dialogue with society. Parallelly, there is increasing interest in science communication in general, as well as the increasing need for its proper understanding. How we communicate is probably today as important as what we communicate. The purpose of this study is to explore how society perceives science, research, scientific results, and their role in the modern world. The method used in the study was a diagnostic survey, and the data was collected using an online questionnaire. This study used a quantitative method. The results showed that science communication needs to be developed much more with special attention paid to the economic, social, and political context. The results analysed and integrated in this article could provide substantive suggestions and help develop science communication.
</abstract>

Science and Society - A New Era for Science Communication in the Context of Sustainable Development

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Sulphur is a highly reactive element, and is therefore able to enter into a great variety of chemical combinations, resulting in the formation of compounds of widely differing properties. Reactions involving sulphur, and the compounds which they produce, have stimulated and inspired people throughout the ages. Sulphur has always been associated with volcanoes, fires and smells. However, its story goes much further. Sulphur is present in thousands of products of the chemical industry, which are in everyday use. These include car batteries, car tyres, matches, paints, paper, textiles, food, detergents and pharmaceuticals. In part 1 of this essay, the evolution of the role of sulphur in the history of mankind is explained, through the eyes of etymology, geology, literature, art, and chemistry. In part 2 the role of sulphur in biochemistry and chemical technology is reviewed. In so doing, a case is established, to show that sulphur is the most extraordinary substance known to Man.
</abstract>

The Extraordinary World of Sulphur Part 1

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Using a spray pneumatic technique, cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu) co-doped zinc oxide thin films were effectively deposited on a glass substrate. The goal of this work was to create a semiconductor with good optical and electrical properties by co-doping ZnO thin films with Cu and Co. The ZnO thin films obtained from the Co and Cu co-doping exhibit patterns of x-ray diffraction spectra that suggest they are hexagonal ZnO (wurtzite, JCPDS 36-1451). The thin film elaborated with 2 % Co and 7 % Cu has the lowest value of crystallite size (<italic>D</italic> = 14.67 nm). The transmission spectra demonstrate that all films have good optical transparency in the visible spectrum, with 7 % Cu achieving the highest transmission. Increasing Cu contents raised the band gap energy. The value at the minimum was 3.31 eV. The optical band gap’s broadening is a significant characteristic of advanced materials and may be useful in applications involving metal oxide nanostructures for visible light gas sensing.
</abstract>

The Effect of Co and Cu Co-Doping Zno Thin Films on Structural and Optical Properties

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The hereby work presents the iron-nickel alloys electroplated on the different metallic substrates (aluminium, silver, brass) using galvanostatic deposition, with and without presence of the external magnetic field (EMF). The films were obtained in the same electrochemical bath composition - mixture of iron and nickel sulphates (without presence of additives) in the molar ratio of 2 : 1 (Ni : Fe), the electric current density (50.0 mA/cm2), and the time (3600 s). The mutual alignment of the electric (E) and magnetic field (B) was changeable - parallel and perpendicular. The source of EMF was a set of two permanent magnets (magnetic field strength ranged from 80 mT to 400 mT). It was analysed the surface microstructure, composition, morphology, thickness and the mechanical properties (roughness, work of adhesion). The surface morphology and the thickness of films were observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). The elemental composition of all FeNi films was measured using Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WDXRF). The crystalographic analysis of the deposits was carried out by X-Ray Diffraction. Depending on the used substrate, modified external magnetic field orientation influenced the tribological and physio-chemical properties of the deposited layers. The diamagnetic substrates and EMF application reduced the FeNi thickness and the average crystallites size, in contrast to the paramagnetic substrate. Parallel EMF increased the value of the tribological parameters for CuZn and Ag but decreased for Al. The content of FeNi structure was rising in the case of diamagnetic substrate and the dependence was opposite on the paramagnetic substrate.
</abstract>

Substrates with Different Magnetic Properties Versus Iron-Nickel Film Electrodeposition

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The aim of the carried out research was the assessment of the possibility to use a popular bioindicator - <italic>Pleurozium schreberi</italic> mosses as a biosensor of the air pollution in living quarters with the analytes originating from tobacco smoke. The moss bag method of active biomonitoring, popular in environmental studies, was applied; the method is based on exposing mosses collected in clean areas in the locations polluted with, for example, heavy metals. However, this experiment involved exposing mosses in living quarters, in which approximately 10 cigarettes were smoked daily (first room - kitchen). For the purpose of comparison, moss samples were also placed in another room (bedroom), which was potentially not polluted. After three months of exposure, the following heavy metals were determined in mosses: Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg, using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. Additionally, these analytes were also determined in hair samples from the persons smoking in the room and from other smokers; the determined metal concentrations were compared with the results of the studies carried out using hair samples collected from non-smokers. On the basis of carried out research it was confirmed that, among others, the mosses exposed in living quarters accumulate heavy metals, such as Ni, Zn, Pb and Hg, which originate from tobacco smoke. Higher heavy metal concentrations were determined in hair samples from smokers, compared to hair samples from non-smokers.</abstract>

Mosses as Biomonitor of Air Pollution with Analytes Originating from Tobacco Smoke

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Humankind actions are exerting increasing effect on the environment on all scales, in a lot of ways overcoming natural processes. During the last 100 years human population went up from little more than one to six billion and economic activity increased nearly ten times between 1950 and the present time. In the last few decades of the twentieth century, anthropogenic chlorofluorocarbon release have led to a dramatic decrease in levels of stratospheric ozone, creating ozone hole over the Antarctic, as a result UV-B radiation from the sun increased, leading for example to enhanced risk of skin cancer. Releasing more of a greenhouse gases by mankind, such as CO2, CH4, NOx to the atmosphere increases the greenhouse effect. Even if emission increase has held back, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations would continue to raise and remain high for hundreds of years, thus warming Earth’s climate. Warming temperatures contribute to sea level growth by melting mountain glaciers and ice caps, because of these portions of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets melt or flow into the ocean. Ice loss from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets could contribute an additional 19-58 centimeters of sea level rise, hinge on how the ice sheets react. Taking into account these and many other major and still growing footprints of human activities on earth and atmosphere without any doubt we can conclude that we are living in new geological epoch named by P. Crutzen and E. Stoermer in 2000 - “Anthropocene”. For the benefit of our children and their future, we must do more to struggle climate changes that have had occurred gradually over the last century.</abstract>

Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany

Technical University of Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic

Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate in the Anthropocene / Chemia Atmosferyczna I Klimat W Antropocenie

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In comparison to other energy producing techniques, photovoltaics (PV) is one of the most promising options: no emission of any matter into the environment during operation; extremely long operation period (estimated average: 25 years), minimum maintenance, robust technique, aesthetic aspects. The use of photovoltaics is rapidly increasing, and the respective market is developing accordingly. Although PV manufacturing equipment is now excluded from the scope of RoHS, according to the Kyoto Protocol and the EU Directives WEEE and RoHS the use of hazardous substances in electric/electronic devices has to be reduced stepwise to approximately zero level. Furthermore, a total recycling of nearly all materials involved is aimed. Thus, major attention is directed to avoidance of environmental pollution through combustion or landfill, to regain valuable material, to promote the development and use of renewable energy sources. As the lifetime of PV cells themselves is much longer than that of PV modules and the manufacturing process of cells requires much energy consumption, the reuse of base material of the cells is economically justified. The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate existing methods of PV cells and modules recycling. The article discusses the main outcomes and analyses the significance of recycling in relation to the environmental profile of the production and total life cycle of photovoltaic cells and modules</abstract>

Current Trends in Recycling of Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Modules Waste / Recykling Zużytych Ogniw I Modułów Fotowoltaicznych - Stan Obecny

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The new Polish science curriculum was launched in the 2008 and currently is being implemented in upper secondary schools. The new general objectives of education, and students’ key competences that should be developed during science classes were defined in that document. Presented competences are in line with competences that might be developed by <italic>Inquiry Based Science Education </italic>(IBSE). IBSE is currently a popular instructional method in many countries and it is being strongly promoted by European Union. In the article the role of IBSE in the new Polish science curriculum is described and related to the method of ‘Independent Investigation to Acquire Knowledge’ that was formerly known in the national pedagogy. The article also presents results of a survey questionnaire that was conducted among Polish science teachers. The aim of the study was to measure the attitude of Polish teachers, pupils and society to IBSE. Based on the results the current position and degree of implementation of IBSE in Polish schools was estimated. Additionally the positive and negative factors affecting the implementation of IBSE were presented.</abstract>

Department of Chemical Education, Jagiellonian University, ul. R. Ingardena 3, 30-060 Krakow, Poland

AG Education Services, 63 Angllesea House, Carysfort Avenue, Dublin, Ireland

Introduction of Inquiry Based Science Education into Polish Science Curriculum - General Findings of Teachers’ Attitude / Wdrożenie Nauczania Przez Odkrywanie Do Polskiej Podstawy Programowej W Zakresie Przedmiotów Przyrodniczych - Badanie Opinii Nauczycieli

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This monograph aims to present how arduously views on plant nutrition shaped over centuries and how the foundation of environmental knowledge concerning these issues was created. This publication also presents current problems and trends in studies concerning plant nutrition, showing their new dimension. This new dimension is determined, on one hand, by the need to feed the world population increasing in geometric progression, and on the other hand by growing environmental problems connected with intensification of agricultural production.</abstract>

Chemical Innovation in Plant Nutrition in a Historical Continuum from Ancient Greece and Rome until Modern Times

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>School experiments represent a necessary means of subject-matter presentation in chemistry education and are important for chemical (scientific) thinking. Despite being a focus of several texts, a complex view on the experimental activity in chemistry education in Czechia is missing. The results of a questionnaire survey among 466 lower-secondary, lyceum and grammar school teachers focused on types of conducted experiments, their frequency, the place they are conducted. The most frequently used chemicals and sources of inspiration are presented in the paper. The results show that despite experiments’ significant role in education, its occurrence is rather seldom and teacher’s demonstrations prevail over students’ experiments. The list of the most often used chemicals suggests the experiments are mostly focused on inorganic chemistry. These results open further questions regarding occupational safety at schools as an important factor which could also be the reason for such a low representation of experiments in Czech chemistry education.</abstract>

Conditions for Experimental Activities at Elementary and High Schools from Chemistry Teachers’ Point of View

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Chemistry-Didactics-Ecology-Metrology

The Journal of Towarzystwo Chemii i Inzynierii Ekologicznej

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