Extension of Frohlich's method to 4-fermion interactions

Higher order terms of the transformed electron-phonon Hamiltonian, obtained by performing the Frohlich's transformation, are investigated. The influence of terms discarded by Frohlich (in particular those proportional to the third power of electron-phonon coupling) on the effective Hamiltonian is examined. To this end a second Frohlich-type transformation is performed, which yields, among others, an effective 4-electron interaction. This interaction is reduced to a form admitting solution of thermodynamics. The form of the coupling of the 4-electron interaction is found. By applying standard approximations, it is shown that this interaction is attractive with interaction coupling given by - D_{k_F}^6 / \omega_{k_F}^5, where D_{k} is electron-phonon coupling, \omega_{k}$ is phonon energy and k_F is Fermi momentum. The form of higher order terms of the original Frohlich-transformed H_{e-ph} are also found, up to terms proportional to the 6-th power of the coupling, that is up to those, which yield the effective 4-electron interactions.Comment: REVTeX4, 25 pages; major changes: added section and appendix about the form of 4-fermion interaction coupling, typos correcte

Lithium distribution and transfer in high-power 18650-type Li-ion cells at multiple length scales

The distribution of lithium inside electrodes of a commercial Li-ion battery of 18650-type with LiFePO$_{4}$ cathode and graphite anode is investigated on different length scales using neutron diffraction, X-ray (synchrotron-based) diffraction and X-ray computed tomography. Evolution of 2D (in-plane) lithium distribution in lithiated graphite is monitored during charge/discharge using millimeter-sized spatial resolution. Micrometer-sized details of cell organization and lithiation of both the positive and negative electrodes are obtained from diffraction-based tomography applying synchrotron radiation. In-situ lithiation of the cathode over its thickness and development of the lithium concentration front during cell charge/discharge is traced by diffraction-based profiling with a micrometer-sized synchrotron beam in a single-layer electrochemical cell

Remission of HPV infection after LEEP-conization — a retrospective study

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Long-term exposure to the HPV is a known cause of squamous intraepithelial lesions that consequently lead to cervical cancer development. The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) conization is an established early cervical cancer treatment method. We aim to assess the remission of HPV infection after LEEP in non-vaccinated patients with pre-cancerous cervical lesions and establish the efficacy of cervical cancer prophylaxis. Material and methods: We analyzed 31 LEEP conizations performed due to low and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 2019–2020. We obtained molecular test samples and detected DNA of 37 different HPV genotypes. After a six-month follow-up, each patient underwent subsequent high-risk HPV testing and genotyping. Results: We observed that 54.8% of qualified patients were infected with HPV 16. We discovered complete viral remission in 64.5% of cases. After surgery, margins were negative in 71% of the patient's samples. During the follow-up, six patients got infected with new strains of HPV. Conclusions: We found that a correctly performed LEEP conization may contribute to the remission of persistent HPV infection; a more extended follow-up period might be recommended due to a high rate of post-surgery HPV infections

Genotyping of human papillomavirus DNA in Wielkopolska region

Objectives: Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Long-term exposure to the HPV leads to development of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions that can eventually transform into cervical cancer. The aim of the study was to assess the HPV genotype distribution in patients with abnormal pap smear and provide prospective study. Material and methods: We obtained material from 674 women who registered to Specialist Medical Practice in the years 2008–2020. The sample for the molecular test was collected using combi brush and forwarded to the independent, standardized laboratory. HPV detection was done using PCR followed by DNA enzyme immunoassay and reverse hybridization line probe assay for virus genotyping. Sequence analysis was performed to characterize virus genotypes in HPV — positive samples. Results: We found that 53% of patients tested positive for HPV. The percentage decreased with age. The following HPV types were the most common: HPV — 16 (24.5%), HPV — 53 (13.1%), HPV — 31 (10.3%), HPV — 51 (9.7%), HPV — 56 (9.5%). To our knowledge, this study is the largest assessment of HPV genotypes in Poland. Conclusions: Our results suggest that type-specific, high–risk HPV DNA — based screening should focus on HPV types 16, 31, 51, 56

From tests of discrete symmetries to medical imaging with J-PET detector

We present results on CPT symmetry tests in decays of positronium performed with the precision at the level of 10$^{-4}$, and positronium images determined with the prototype of the J-PET tomograph. The first full-scale prototype apparatus consists of 192 plastic scintillator strips readout from both ends with vacuum tube photomultipliers. Signals produced by photomultipliers are probed in the amplitude domain and are digitized by FPGA-based readout boards in triggerless mode. In this contribution we report on the first two- and three-photon positronium images and tests of CPT symmetry in positronium decays

ProTheRaMon : a GATE simulation framework for proton therapy range monitoring using PET imaging

Objective. This paper reports on the implementation and shows examples of the use of the ProTheRaMon framework for simulating the delivery of proton therapy treatment plans and range monitoring using positron emission tomography (PET). ProTheRaMon offers complete processing of proton therapy treatment plans, patient CT geometries, and intra-treatment PET imaging, taking into account therapy and imaging coordinate systems and activity decay during the PET imaging protocol specific to a given proton therapy facility. We present the ProTheRaMon framework and illustrate its potential use case and data processing steps for a patient treated at the Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (CCB) proton therapy center in Krakow, Poland. Approach. The ProTheRaMon framework is based on GATE Monte Carlo software, the CASToR reconstruction package and in-house developed Python and bash scripts. The framework consists of five separated simulation and data processing steps, that can be further optimized according to the user’s needs and specific settings of a given proton therapy facility and PET scanner design. Main results. ProTheRaMon is presented using example data from a patient treated at CCB and the J-PET scanner to demonstrate the application of the framework for proton therapy range monitoring. The output of each simulation and data processing stage is described and visualized. Significance. We demonstrate that the ProTheRaMon simulation platform is a high-performance tool, capable of running on a computational cluster and suitable for multi-parameter studies, with databases consisting of large number of patients, as well as different PET scanner geometries and settings for range monitoring in a clinical environment. Due to its modular structure, the ProTheRaMon framework can be adjusted for different proton therapy centers and/or different PET detector geometries. It is available to the community via github (Borys et al 2022)

Soviet intervention in Afghanistan as an element of Cold War rivalry

Tematem niniejszej pracy jest analiza radzieckiej interwencji w Afganistanie w kontekście trwającej, w drugiej połowie XX wieku zimnej wojnie. Jej celem jest opisanie inwazji jako jednego z wielu elementów rywalizacji pomiędzy Stanami Zjednoczonymi a Związkiem Radzieckim. Rozdział pierwszy przybliża temat zimnej wojny, wskazuje na główne przyczyny wybuchu oraz opisuje jej poszczególne etapy. Rozdział drugi analizuje historię Afganistanu oraz uwarunkowania, które wpłynęły na nią. Rozdział trzeci został poświęcony opisaniu decyzji o rozpoczęciu interwencji oraz jej przebiegu. Rozdział czwarty natomiast przedstawia interwencję jako element toczącej się rywalizacji na linii Moskwa – Waszyngton.The subject of this work is the analysis of the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in the context of the cold war in the second half of the 20th century. Its purpose is to describe the invasion as one of many elements of rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The first chapter introduces the subject of the Cold War, points out the main causes of the explosion and describes its various stages. The second chapter analyzes the history of Afghanistan and the conditions that influenced it. The third chapter was devoted to describing the decision to start the intervention and its course. The fourth chapter, on the other hand, presents intervention as an element of ongoing competition between Moscow and Washington

Impact of the May Coup on the structure and functioning of the Polish Army.

Tematem niniejszej pracy jest analiza wpływu Przewrotu Majowego na strukturę oraz funkcjonowanie armii II Rzeczpospolitej. Jej celem jest wykazanie zmian jakie zaszły w polskich siłach zbrojnych po przejęciu nad nimi władzy przez Józefa Piłsudskiego. Rozdział pierwszy opisuje lata poprzedzające Zamach Majowy, wskazuje na trud oraz wyzwania związane z budową armii, jej nowych struktur oraz pierwszych lat istnienia. Rozdział drugi analizuje Przewrót Majowy oraz pokazuje podział jaki wystąpił w jego wyniku w Wojsku Polskim. Rozdział trzeci natomiast pokazuje zmiany jakie zaszły w armii po przejęciu władzy przez piłsudczyków.The topic of this thesis is an analysis of the effect of the May Coup on the structure and functioning of the Polish Army. Its purpose is to show the changes that took place in the Polish army after taking over the power over them by Józef Piłsudski. The first chapter describes the years preceding the May Coup, points to the difficulties and challenges of building the army, its new structures and the first years of its existence. The second chapter analyzes the May Coup and shows the division that occurred in its outcome in the Polish Army. Chapter three, shows the changes that have taken place in the army after the capture of power by the Piłsudski

Hydrophilic Partitioning or Surface Adsorption? A Quantitative Assessment of Retention Mechanisms for Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography (HILIC)

Retention mechanisms in HILIC have been investigated and reported in literature. However, the current understanding of retention mechanisms is qualitative and lacks quantitative details. Previously, mechanism elucidation was based on indirect evidence, and unambiguous assignment of retention mechanisms has not been reported based on direct data. This study aims to quantitatively determine the contributions of two major retention mechanisms in HILIC, hydrophilic partitioning and surface adsorption to the overall retention of neutral compounds. Using the methodologies we developed previously, the phase ratio for adsorbed water layer and distribution coefficients were measured and used to calculate the retention factors contributed by hydrophilic partitioning. The methodology allows the determination of the contribution of surface adsorption simultaneously. The evaluation of five test compounds demonstrates that the retention may be controlled by hydrophilic partitioning, surface adsorption or both depending on compound characteristics. Quantitative assessment of retention mechanisms also makes it possible to better understand the effect of acetonitrile on retention in HILIC

Mechanical Tests Applied to Structural Health Monitoring: An Overview of Previous Experience

Laboratory for Materials Strength Testing (LMST) has been conducting accredited mechanical research for aviation from 2003. Among accredited procedures are e.g. low and high cycle fatigue tests, fracture toughness tests and fatigue crack growth rate tests. The main goal of them is obtaining materials constants and characteristics. However knowledge how to conduct these tests could be used also in other applications, for instance in the work on development of Structural Health Monitoring systems (SHM). When cracks propagate in a controlled way in laboratory conditions, it allows verifying the operation of a single sensor or a network of sensors. In this paper, an overview of mechanical tests carried out at the Laboratory for Materials Strength Testing within Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) work on research and development of SHM systems is presented. Specimens prepared from materials such as aluminum alloys (among other withdrawn PZL-130 Orlik TC-II aircraft) and CFRP composite were tested under different mechanical loads, i.e., cycle and impact loads. In the presented research, both constant amplitude and spectrum loads were applied