Underwater robotic system for reservoir maintenance

In this paper a description and practical implementation of the developed prototype of an underwater hybrid robot is presented. The solution is based on the guidelines of Cracow waterworks (Municipal Waterworks and Sewer Enterprise, MPWiK S.A.). The prototype of the hybrid robot consists of a crawler robot and a ROV. Robots’ design, mathematical models of kinematics and dynamics of the crawler robot, ROV’s vision system architecture with image processing methods for surface crack detection and robot position and attitude estimation are investigated and examined. Results obtained from experimental validation of the developed prototype are presented and discussed. Finally, the paper establishes future research directions

Processing of printed circuit boards using a 532 nm green laser

The paper describes a research on assessing the quality of edges resulting from the interaction of laser pulses with a material of rigid and flexible printed circuits. A modern Nd:YVO4 crystal diode-pumped solid-state laser generating a 532 nm wavelength radiation with a nanosecond pulse time was used for the research. Influence of laser parameters such as beam power and pulse repetition frequency on a heat affected zone and carbonization was investigated. Quality and morphology of laser-cut substrates were analyzed by optical microscopy. High quality laser cutting of printed circuit board substrates was obtained without delamination and surface damage, with a minimal carbonization and heat affected zone. The developed process was implemented on the printed circuit assembly line

Interfacial Polarization of Thin Alq₃, Gaq₃, and Erq₃ Films on GaN(0001)

This report presents results of research on electronic structure of three interfaces composed of organic layers of Alq3, Gaq3, or Erq3 deposited on GaN semiconductor. The formation of the interfaces and their characterization have been performed in situ under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Thin layers have been vapor-deposited onto p-type GaN(0001) surfaces. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) assisted by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been employed to construct the band energy diagrams of the substrate and interfaces. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) are found to be at 1.2, 1.7, and 2.2 eV for Alq3, Gaq3, and Erq3 layers, respectively. Alq3 layer does not change the position of the vacuum level of the substrate, in contrast to the other layers, which lower it by 0.8 eV (Gaq3) and 1.3 eV (Erq3). Interface dipoles at the phase boundaries are found to be −0.2, −0.9, −1.2 eV, respectively, for Alq3, Gaq3, Erq3 layers on GaN(0001) surfaces

A Short Review of the Toxicity of Dentifrices—Zebrafish Model as a Useful Tool in Ecotoxicological Studies

This review aims to summarize the literature data regarding the effects of different toothpaste compounds in the zebrafish model. Danio rerio provides an insight into the mechanisms of the ecotoxicity of chemicals as well as an assessment of their fate in the environment to determine long-term environmental impact. The regular use of adequate toothpaste with safe active ingredients possessing anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and regenerative properties is one of the most effective strategies for oral healthcare. In addition to water, a typical toothpaste consists of a variety of components, among which three are of predominant importance, i.e., abrasive substances, fluoride, and detergents. These ingredients provide healthy teeth, but their environmental impact on living organisms are often not well-known. Each of them can influence a higher level of organization: subcellular, cellular, tissue, organ, individual, and population. Therefore, it is very important that the properties of a chemical are detected before it is released into the environment to minimize damage. An important part of a chemical risk assessment is the estimation of the ecotoxicity of a compound. The zebrafish model has unique advantages in environmental ecotoxicity research and has been used to study vertebrate developmental biology. Among others, the advantages of this model include its external, visually accessible development, which allows for providing many experimental manipulations. The zebrafish has a significant genetic similarity with other vertebrates. Nevertheless, translating findings from zebrafish studies to human risk assessment requires careful consideration of these differences

Osoby z wysokim prawidłowym ciśnieniem tętniczym posiadają odmienną charakterystykę metaboliczną i hemodynamiczną względem osób z optymalnym ciśnieniem tętniczym

Background: The ESH classification of blood pressure includes the high-normal blood pressure (HNBP) category, which is within normal limits but associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Aim: To identify additional CV risk factors and early signs of target organ damage in healthy individuals with HNBP. Methods: Healthy volunteers (n = 74) with optimal blood pressure or HNBP were compared with respect to metabolic and haemodynamic parameters. Results: The HNBP was associated with higher serum uric acid (333.1 &#177; 65.4 vs 267.7 &#177; 65.4 &mu;mol/L, p < 0.05) and glucose (4.7 &#177; 0.3 vs 4.5 &#177; 0.3 mmol/L, p < 0.01) concentrations, intima-media thickness (0.39 &#177; 0.06 vs 0.36 &#177; 0.04 mm, p < 0.05), systemic vascular resistance index (2,678.2 &#177; 955.9 vs 1,930.2 &#177; 625.5 dyn x s x m2/cm5, p < 0.001), lower total arterial compliance index (1.04 &#177; 0.42 vs 1.44 &#177; 0.48 mL/[mm Hg x m2], p < 0.01) and baroreflex sensitivity (14.2 &#177; 3.8 vs 18.0 &#177; 8.8 mm Hg2/Hz, p = 0.05). Conclusions: The observed differences in metabolic and haemodynamic profile in HNBP may adversely affect CV risk in these individuals.Wstęp: Klasyfikacja ciśnienia tętniczego wg ESH wyróżnia ciśnienie &#8222;wysokie prawidłowe&#8220; (HNBP), które mieści się w granicach normy, lecz wiąże się z wyższym ryzykiem sercowo-naczyniowym. Cel: Celem pracy było określenie dodatkowych czynników ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego i wczesnych zmian narządowych u zdrowych osób z HNBP. Metody: Porównano zdrowych ochotników (n = 74) z ciśnieniem optymalnym lub HNBP pod względem czynników metabolicznych i hemodynamicznych. Wyniki: Osoby z HNBP wykazywały wyższe stężenia kwasu moczowego (333,1 &#177; 65,4 v. 267,7 &#177; 65,4 &#956;mol/l, p < 0,05) i glukozy (4,7 &#177; 0,3 v. 4,5 &#177; 0,3 mmol/l, p < 0,01), wyższy wskaźnik intima-media (0,39 &#177; 0,06 v. 0,36 &#177; 0,04 mm, p < 0,05), wyższy wskaźnik obwodowego oporu naczyniowego (2678,2 &#177; 955,9 v. 1930,2 &#177; 625,5 dyn x s x m2/cm5, p < 0,001) oraz niższy wskaźnik całkowitej podatności naczyniowej (1,04 &#177; 0,42 v. 1,44 &#177; 0,48 ml/[mm Hg x m2], p < 0,01) i niższą czułość odruchu z baroreceptorów (14,2 &#177; 3,8 v. 18,0 &#177; 8,8 mm Hg2/Hz, p = 0,05). Wnioski: Różnice w profilu metabolicznym i hemodynamicznym wykazane u osób z HNBP mogą się wiązać ze zwiększonym ryzykiem sercowo-naczyniowym w tej grupie pacjentów

The Symmetry and Predictive Factors in Two-Stage Bilateral Hip Replacement Procedures

Background: Approximately 10–25% of total hip replacement patients undergo a bilateral procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare selected parameters associated with the first and second hip arthroplasty in patients undergoing two-stage treatment due to bilateral hip osteoarthritis and establish the predictive factors for the second procedure. Methods: This study compared the data on bilateral total hip replacement surgeries conducted in the period between 2017 and 2021 (42 patients). The following parameters from the first and second procedure were compared: the prosthetic stem, head, and insert cup size; type of cup insert; duration of anesthesia; duration of hospitalization; and the number of complications. Results: The mean duration of hospital stay at the time of the first total hip arthroplasty was 5.83 days and 5.4 days during the second stay. The mean stem sizes used during the first and second total hip replacement procedures were 7.11 and 7.09, respectively. The mean sizes of endoprosthetic cups used at the first and second total hip replacement procedures were 52.64 and 53.04, respectively. There were no significant differences between the mean prosthetic head size at the first and second surgery. The cup type used during the first and second surgery showed no difference. The mean duration of anesthesia used during the first and second total hip replacement surgery was 108.09 min and 104.52 min, respectively. We recorded a mean of 0.07 complications per patient at the first surgery and 0.02 at the second surgery. Conclusions: Our study results showed symmetry duration of anesthesia, length of hospital stay, number of complications per patient, stem size, prosthetic head size, cup insert size, and cup insert type at the first and second surgery in patients with two-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty. We observed a strong correlation between the stem sizes of the first and second hip endoprostheses. There was also a strong correlation between the cup sizes used during the first and second surgery