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The first of 12 electromagnet blocks that will become the central part of the first Polish synchrotron is due to arrive at SOLARIS building soon. Synchrotron is a unique man-made source of electromagnetic radiation known as synchrotron radiation, used for research purposes.

"We have been waiting for this crucial moment since December 2012, when the Jagiellonian University and Danfysik company at the Danish Technologisk Institute in Taastrup, located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, signed an agreement on design and production of twelve magnet blocks which will become the heart of the synchrotron," said Prof. Marek Stankiewicz, the Director of the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS at the Jagiellonian University.

Prof. Stankiewicz added that "the magnets are made with the use of a groundbreaking technology created in Max IV Laboratory at the University of Lund, Sweden, and made available to SOLARIS thanks to the unprecedented collaboration between the two institutions. The innovative design of the magnet resides in integrating the typical sequence of twenty-one single electromagnets in one iron block. Such a revolutionary and technologically demanding solution substantially improves the precision and stability of the structure, at the same time making it possible to considerably improve the strength and collimation of the emitted radiation, while reducing the size of the whole unit, which, in turn, lowers the costs of its creation and use."

Since the signing of the agreement, the physicists from Max IV and SOLARIS have been monitoring and correcting the production process of this integrated magnet. At the end of the previous year, Danfysik company created a prototype of a magnet to be used for control measurements. First of all, the accuracy of the yoke and poles is tested, and then the distribution of the magnetic field between the poles is checked. Besides, the experts check dozens of components, such as the cooling water circuit, the electronic temperature control circuit, coils, mechanical links, and other elements. The tests have been successful and hence the first magnet will soon be delivered to Kraków.

The remaining 11 magnet blocks are being produced. The first of them is tested in Taastrup and expected to arrive in Kraków in the first half of September. The rest of the magnets will be delivered until the end of October.

"The hardest part is still to come, as 12 seven-tone blocks, comprising 300 magnets altogether, must be placed in the synchrotron's storage ring with the accuracy of two hundredths of a millimeter. A vacuum chamber has to be put inside, where a vacuum comparable only to the one present in the outer space is to be created. Another step will consist in providing power to the electromagnets from nearly one hundred power supplies and the preparation of the electron beam control system, to finally run the electron beam through the synchrotron storage ring, precisely tuning the magnetic beam strength in all the magnets," explains Robert Nietubyć, an accelerator magnets specialist in SOLARIS team.

The synchrotron construction project is financed from the European Regional Development Fund, within the framework of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007-2013.

Photos courtesy of the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS

Left to right: Prof. Edward Dąbrowa, Prof. Judyta Olszowy-Schlanger, the previous President of EAJS, and Dr. hab. Michał Galas.

During the general meeting of the European Association for Jewish Studies, its members decided to elect Prof. Edward Dąbrowa its president for the next four years. Dr. hab. Michał Galas, head of the board of the JU Institute of Jewish Studies, was appointed the Association's treasurer.

It was also decided that in recognition of the Institute's activities concerning popularisation and development of Jewish Studies, another EAJS congress, entitled Searching for Roots of Jewish Tradition, will be held in Kraków on 15-19 July 2018. Over 500 scholars from Europe, USA and Israel will participate in the congress.

Prof. Edward Dąbrowa is the head of the Institute of Jewish Studies. His research centres around the history of Middle East, Mesopotamia and Iran as well as the times of the Second Temple. He is also the editor of Scripta Iuidaica Cracoviensia, a magazine issued by the Institute of Jewish Studies.

Teodor Jerzak from the JU Mathematics Student Society won the first prize in the 21st International Mathematics Competition for University Students in Bulgaria. Our university was also represented by Marcin Lara (second prize), Dariusz Matlak (second prize) and Dominik Burek (honourable mention). As far as team competition is concerned, our students were ranked 14 out of 73. The group was supervised by Jakub Konieczny, a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science.

This year's edition featured 324 competitors from 73 higher education institutions from Europe, Asia and North and South America. As in previous editions, students had to solve 10 problems in 2 days. They had about an hour for every problem, though if they finished earlier they could devote the remaining time to the next one. The first prize was awarded to those who have solved at least 6 problems.

For the 45th time young people from all over the world came to Kraków to study Polish culture. For a few weeks, students participated in an intensive language course as well as numerous contests, games and workshops promoting Polish traditions and customs.

Grand opening
On 4 July 2014, in the Assembly Hall of Collegium Novum, reverberating with the sounds of numerous languages, the Summer School was officially inaugurated. This year, the First Lady, Anna Komorowska, is its honorary patron. The School's director, Dr hab. Piotr Horbatowski, read aloud her congratulatory letter after greeting the guests. Among this year's edition are students from various countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, United States, Serbia, and Israel. The inauguration featured a lecture by a Korean translator, Estera Czoj, devoted to translation and the presence of Polish culture in South Korea.

"Polish doesn't have to be difficult"
Despite the fact that the courses are organised during holiday season, they are very intensive – 3 to 6 hours a day. Additionally, the participants are able to attend a wide range of classes on culture, history, art and grammar under the supervision of experienced lecturers, teachers and coordinators. After the course is finished, students may take an exam in Polish, which is recognised and credited by many foreign universities. The School also conducts a preparatory course for those students who wish to take the State Certificate Examinations in Polish as a Foreign Language.

Christmas Eve in July
The School also features many accompanying events which immerse international guests in Polish culture. Students may learn Polish daces, such as polonaise or krakowiak. On one evening, a campfire was set up in the Kraków zoological garden. The campers sang traditional (and less traditional) Polish songs accompanied by a guitarist. The café in the "Piast" student guesthouse hosted the traditional celebrations of St. Andrew's Day. A Christmas Eve was also organised: the participants decorated a Christmas tree and sang carols.

Discovering Kraków
An important aspect of the Schools mission is popularising Kraków and the region. Because of that, every edition includes a location-based game. Due to weather conditions, it could not be organised outside this year, but it did not prevent the participants from having a wonderful time. In the Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, eight teams contended with one another in an atmosphere of friendly competition. The tasks included reciting a Polish poem, recognising the important buildings in Kraków and identifying their locations, and guessing regional snacks based on their taste.

Based on a special issue of the WUJ student magazine.

JU employees are introducing latest research methods in the areas of documenting archaeological sites and non-invasive archaeological research working at the Neo Paphos site in Cyprus. The site has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

According to Łukasz Miszk, a JU Institute of Archaeology employee and the coordinator of the specialist team at the site, latest technologies are crucial in archaeology, since nowadays it is impossible to properly document findings without experts from other fields. Therefore, a team of surveyors from the AGH University of Technology were commissioned to create a Digital Environment Model (DEM), which will become the base for the site's reconstruction. The DEM will provide graphic data to the Geographic Information System (GIS), which will allow for an easy access to all information via one programme and thus greatly facilitate an archaeologist's work.

A state-of-the-art quadracopter drone is being used in the research to provide high resolution photographs of the area from various heights. They possess photogrammetric properties, which means they may be used to create a photographic map. Bird's eye view also often reveals additional information unobtainable from ground level. Moreover, the JU scientists were also the first ones to introduce non-invasive (i.e. non-detrimental) research methods to the site, such as technologies employing electrical impulses and radio waves.

Paphos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus. Since 2011, a JU research team led by Prof. Ewdoksia Papuci-Władyka conducts its research there as part of the Paphos Agora Project.

Łukasz Miszk is a doctoral student and employee of the JU Chair of Classical Archaeology. He is a

na podstawie naukawpolsce.pap.pl

On 23 June 2014, an exhibition entitled Earth Returns the Gaze. The Reflections of Kraków, organised by the JU Museum, took place in Collegium Maius.

The author of the photographs, Professor Douglas Zook from the University of Boston, conducts classes on global ecology, concentrating on mobilising the society to protect the environment. The exhibition is devoted to presenting other dimensions of space, hidden in reflections on glass.

The exhibition is a presentation of photos shot through fragments of Kraków windows. Although it was not always possible to avoid saturation and vibrations related to photo editing, the colours and other properties of the pictures are unique.

Meeting with the author:

25 June 2014, Wednesday, 1.00-3.00 p.m., Collegium Maius Café,
27 June 2014, Friday, 11.00 a.m.-12.30 p.m., Collegium Maius Café,
28 June 2014, Saturday, 2.00-4.00 p.m., Collegium Maius Café.
The exhibition will last until 11 July. The works are availabe for purchase from the author. Admission is free.

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wernisaż wystawy fotografii Douglasa Zooka

Wizyta delegacji z Azerbejdżanu

On 16 June 2014, the Jagiellonian University hosted a visit by an official delegation from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is an Azerbaijani exclave separated from the rest of the country by the territory of Armenia. The delegation included the Rector of the Nakhchivan State University, Prof. Saleh Maharramov, the University's Vice-Rector Dr Anar Kazimov, professors Ismayil Haciyev i Tariyel Talibov from the Nakhchivan Department of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, and the 3rd Secretary of Azerbaijani Embassy in Poland, Mr Samir Rzayev.

The guests were received in the Senate Room of JU Collegium Novum by the Rector of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Wojciech Nowak and the Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds, Prof. Stanisław Kistryn. Both sides expressed their willingness to collaborate in the field of research as well as student exchange. The JU Rector announced that the relevant memorandum of understanding is to be prepared by deans of JU Faculties.

Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, established in 1945 as the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR, is the main state research organisation in Azerbaijan, whose role is to coordinate research in all fields that is carried out in that country.

Nakhchivan State University was founded in 1967 and became an autonomous institution in 2002. It is involved in multiple international collaboration programmes, including Erasmus and Erasmus Plus. It has about 350 international students, out of a total of 5 thousand people enrolled.

Pictures by Anna Wojnar

Wizyta delegacji z Azerbejdżanu

Wizyta delegacji z Azerbejdżanu

Wizyta delegacji z Azerbejdżanu

Scientists from Poland and Italy are working to develop a novel method of preventing historic manuscripts from degradation. Their research has been focused on a famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci from the early 16th century, which is most probably the artist's self portrait. Currently, the work is in bad condition as through the centuries the red chalk drawing has been exposed to humidity, which has led to its yellowing and gradual discoloration. It is now in danger of complete vanishing. Thanks to the groundbreaking technique developed by the researchers, there is a chance to stop, or even partially reverse this process. In order to achieve this, the Italian research team, consisting mostly of physicists, is collaborating with Dr hab. Joanna Łojewska of the JU Faculty of Chemistry, who is an expert on issues related to paper degradation.

As a result of the conducted studies, the scientists have worked out a method for diagnosing degradation of paper and other cellulose-based materials. It relies on the identification and quantifying of the concentration of light-absorbing molecules known as chromophores, which are responsible for paper yellowing and the deformation of the cellulose chain. In near future, the method can form the basis for creating effective conservation methods, thanks to which numerous works of art could be saved from destruction. A preliminary conception on how to save Leonardo da Vinci's drawing has already been devised.

"The classic chemical methods are, most probably, out of question. It seems a good idea to use low-temperature plasma, but still a lot of effort needs to be put into making this method an effective way of saving works of art. Currently it is still being tested, as we are not entirely sure what will be perfectly safe for such a vulnerable material" – explains Dr hab Łojewska.

Otwarty wyklad Normana Daviesa i spotkanie z Timothym Ashem

On Thursday, 5 June a special lecture by Prof. Norman Davies inaugurated the Polish-British Round Table. The guests were received by the Rector's Proxy for International Relations, Prof. Zdzisław Mach, on behalf of the Rector of the Jagiellonian University. The round table is an annual meeting of several dozen politicians, diplomats, civil service members, intellectuals as well as business and media representatives from Poland and the United Kingdom, devoted to the crucial issues on the European agenda. Before the official start of the sessions, Prof. Zdzisław Mach met with Prof. Norman Davies and another eminent guest, Prof. Timothy Ash. The sessions on June 6 will take place in Villa Decius.

Otwarty wyklad Normana Daviesa i spotkanie z Timothym Ashem

Otwarty wyklad Normana Daviesa i spotkanie z Timothym Ashem

Otwarty wyklad Normana Daviesa i spotkanie z Timothym Ashem

The National Centre for Research and Development announced the results of the Strategmed programme competition. The programme, the full name of which is "Prevention practices and treatment of civilization diseases" is the first such strategic project developed by the Centre in accordance with the National Research Programme. On the basis of the detailed evaluation by the experts, 16 projects from such fields as cardiology, oncology, neurology, and regenerative medicine were awarded grants with a total value of 310 million PLN.

"Diseases of affluence are among the greatest challenges of contemporary medicine. Therefore, in order to develop the potential of Polish medical science, it is necessary to invest in new technologies in this field. Strategmed programme is aimed at meeting the challenges posed by the ageing population, in the area of prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of diseases," said Prof. Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, the Minister of Science and Higher Education.

Jagiellonian University researchers are involved in two of the winning projects. Prof. Józef Dulak from the Department of Medical Biotechnology at the JU Faculty of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology will take part in the project "Epigenetic therapies in oncology," aimed at finding new compounds with anticancer properties. The research will be carried out in several fields of such disciplines as biochemistry, molecular biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, and oncology.

The second project, "Prostacyclin, nitrogen oxide and carbon oxide-dependent pharmacotherapy of vascular mesothelium and the activation of platelets – a new strategy in preventing cancer metastasis," will be run by a consortium including the Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET). It is aimed at finding mechanisms of mesothelium pharmacotherapy, which can form a basis for effective treatment for cancer metastasis, and, most importantly, provide lots of important data from preclinical research on the new antimetastatic compounds, documenting their effectiveness, pharmacokinetic profile, and safety.

The project consortium, headed by Prof. Stefan Chłopicki from JCET and consisting of five Polish partners and one foreign one, is a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international research group. The significance of the proposed treatment strategy seems to have been proved by the preliminary research results as well as patent applications.

„The results of the first Strategmed competition show that innovations can directly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all Poles. The latest medical solutions developed by our scientists can also have immense commercial potential on international markets, which will significantly strengthen Polish economy," said Prof. Krzysztof Jan Kurzydłowski, the Director of the National Centre for Research and Development.

The programme will take place until 2017. By then, the National Centre for Research and Development is going to organise three competitions for the grants with a total value of 800 million PLN.

For more information, please visit the programme's website.