For centuries, the roof has been a reminiscence, the symbol of basic human shelter and territory. Using the example of several ethnic groups living in Southeast Asia, Bhutan and Poland, the basic determinants of roof shape creation in vernacular architecture are discussed and similarities highlighted. In wooden architecture in different regions of the world, the form and construction of the roof are determined primarily by local conditions: climatic conditions, available materials, local tradition, culture, customs. Often it is the shape of the roof that determines the visual identity of a given ethnic group, with its traditions and way of life. The author points out that societies from different regions of the world with no cultural ties created wooden architecture based on the same factors and that the similarities are already present at the level of thinking patterns resulting, for example, from the need to emphasize the importance of religious buildings by means of the stacked, pent hip form of the basic roof.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a supportive and life-saving therapy, however, it can cause ventilator-induced lung injury as a common complication. Thus, recruitment manoeuvres (RM) are applied to open the collapsed alveoli to ensure sufficient alveolar surface area for gas exchange. In the light of the fact that positive pressure ventilation is currently the standard treat- ment for improving pulmonary function, extrathoracic negative pressure is considered as an alter- native form of respiratory support. The aim of this study was to estimate the proinflammatory and oxidative response during MV and lung injury as well as the response after RM. All studied parameters were assessed at the following time points: T1-spontaneous breathing, T2- MV, T3- lung injury, T4 –RM. During MV (T2) elastase, MPO, ALP release, nitrite and superoxide generation significantly increased, whereas in later measurements a decrease in these values was noted. The MDA plasma concentration significantly (p<0.05) increased at T2, reaching a level of 13.30±0.87 nmol/ml; at other time points the values obtained were similar to the baseline value of 9.94±0.94 nmol/ml, whereas a gradual decrease in SOD activity at time T2-T4 points in comparison with the baseline value was found. During the study both neutrophil activity and oxi- dative stress indicate exacerbated response after MV and lung injury by bronchoalveolar lavage; however, extrathoracic negative pressure system as the MR ameliorates damaging changes which could further lead to serious lung injury.

The article presents and describes the methodology of the conservation of stone structures that are architectural monuments discovered as part of the work carried out during archaeological excavations in Tanais. The authors’ experiences presented in the article result from many years of cooperation between the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology and the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe Research Centre at the University ofWarsaw. Examples of preserved masonry structures come from an excavation in Tanais near Rostov-on-Don. Works on stone structures located in the area of archaeological excavation are characterised by a unique specificity covering both formal issues, resulting from international standards and agreements regulating the conservation of historic buildings, as well as technical and environmental issues. The primary technical issues include ensuring the safety of further excavation works, protection of masonry structures against the destructive effects of atmospheric conditions and preparing the structure for possible exhibition in archaeological parks organized on the site of excavations. The article presents the procedures that should be used to conserve this type of structure and the specific sustainable technological and material solutions used in the shown objects.

Every conservation works related to an ancient masonry structures should be preceded by an appropriate diagnostic. This should be understood as geometrical survey and various tests, which results with a proper analysis of the structure, identification of materials, technologies and techniques used during construction. The effective tool which could be used in this field is 3-D laser scanning. The digital image obtained as a result of scanning could be a proper base for a preservation programme, as well as help for creation of a precise digital models for a structural analysis. The examples of 3-D laser scanning application presented in the article are diagnostic works carried by the Division of Fundamentals of Building, Warsaw University of Technology, with the cooperation of Warsaw University, at the archaeological sites in Alexandria, Egypt and in Tanais, Rostov, Russia. Based on this works some most important advantages of laser scanning in identification, diagnostics and preservation of ancient architectural monuments was stated.

Biskupin is one of the most recognizable archaeological site in Poland and Central Europe. The origins of the excavations dates back to year 1934 and had lasted almost continuously until 1974. In the framework of the grant from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage interdisciplinary team of scientists from Archaeological Museum in Biskupin and Warsaw University of Technology performed multi-dimensional analysis of the settlement. Based on the integrated vector documentation, resulting from the photographic documentation, numerical models of structural systems of main types of buildings and defensive rampart were prepared. The aim of the analysis was a verification of the earlier findings of archaeological and architectural researches. The analysis allowed to verify both the arrangement of individual parts of structure of buildings, their work and the interconnection, as well as the possible dimensions of the individual components.