Characteristics of temperament and susceptibility to hypnosis

WSTĘP: Celem pracy była analiza związków pomiędzy podatnością na hipnozę a cechami temperamentu, takimi jak: żwawość, perseweratywność, wrażliwość sensoryczna, reaktywność emocjonalna, wytrzymałość i aktywność. MATERIAŁ I METODY: W badaniach wykorzystano Skalę Wyobraźni Twórczej (SWT) Wilson i Barbera oraz Formalną Charakterystykę Zachowania – Kwestionariusz Temperamentu (FCZ-KT). Badaniem zostały objęte osoby z jednego z liceów ogólnokształcących. Analizie statystycznej poddano wyniki 120 osób (89 kobiet i 31 mężczyzn) w wieku 17–19 lat. WYNIKI: Z analizy korelacji wynika, że wrażliwość sensoryczna koreluje istotnie z podatnością na hipnozę. Na podstawie charakterystyki rozkładu zmiennej hipnoza oraz testu t-Studenta stwierdzono, że różnice między kobietami i mężczyznami są nieistotne statystycznie pod względem podatności na hipnozę. Na podstawie analizy regresji (zmienne temperamentalne a hipnoza) zaobserwowano, że w zasadzie tylko jedna zmienna daje możliwość predykcji podatności na hipnozę – wrażliwość sensoryczna (p = 0,003). Wykonano również analizę dyskryminacyjną; na podstawie zmiennych temperamentalnych można poprawnie zaklasyfikować 68% przypadków różniących się zmienną hipnoza (grupy skrajne). WNIOSKI: Stwierdzono, że wrażliwość sensoryczna koreluje istotnie z podatnością na hipnozę. Podobnie, spośród cech temperamentalnych jedynie wrażliwość sensoryczna jest jej predyktorem. Nie stwierdzono różnic w zakresie podatności na hipnozę w zależności od płci.INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between hypnotizability and temperamental traits such as liveliness, perseverance, sensory sensitivity, emotional reactivity, endurance and activeness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 120 students (89 females and 31 males) of a secondary school, aged 17–19. The Creative Imagination Scale (SWT) by Wilson and Barber and the Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Questionnaire (FCZ-KT) were used in the research. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Sensory sensitivity was shown to correlate significantly with a susceptibility to hypnosis. No statistically significant differences in hypnotizability between the sexes were identified. Moreover, extreme groups of individuals representing the highest and the lowest hypnotic ability were identified. Sensory sensitivity (p = 0.003) was found to be the only predictor variable in regression analysis for hypnotizability. Discriminant analysis revealed that 68% of cases differing in the ‘hypnosis’ variable can be correctly classified on the basis of the temperament variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there is a relationship between the temperament trait – sensory sensitivity and hypnotizability. Sensory sensitivity also proved to be a predictor of hypnotizability. There are no differences between sexes in terms of hypnotizability

Attractive and effective teaching servo drives by means of the ePEDlab platform

W artykule zaprezentowano projekt ePEDlab, mający na celu uatrakcyjnienie procesu nauczania napędu elektrycznego. Przedstawiono efekty projektu – zestawy interaktywnych materiałów teoretycznych i symulacyjnych. Jako przykład wykorzystania projektu opisano proces nauczania zagadnień związanych ze sterowaniem układami serwonapędowymi. Podkreślono kompletność i wzajemne uzupełnianie się części teoretycznej, symulacyjnej i laboratoryjnej.The article presents the ePEDlab project, which was created in order to improve the quality of education in the field of power electronic drive systems. Its aim is to create a complete tool, consisting of three elements: interactive teaching materials, simulation models and laboratory sets. The course is divided into two parts: basic and advanced level. An integral part of the project is a website http://kener.elektr.polsl.pl/epedlab which is used to publish interactive teaching materials and simulation models. The scope of the project also includes the construction of new laboratory sets equipped with industrial power electronics converters, which the listeners of the course (students) can meet in their future careers. The results of the project are used in the teaching process for students of first and second degree at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology. The article shows the way of using described tool, based on an example concerning control servo drives issues. Teaching proces concerning control systems of different types of machine (eg. squirrel-cage induction motors, DC motors as well as stepper motors) is similar to given example. Due to the complementarity between theoretical materials, simulation models and laboratory exercises, the teaching process is complete

The microstructure, liquidus projection and thermodynamic modeling of thermoelectric Ag-Pb-Te system

Ag–Pb–Te is an important system in thermoelectric applications. Various Ag–Pb–Te alloys are prepared and their microstructures are examined. The liquidus projection of ternary Ag–Pb–Te system is determined both by experimental investigations and Calphad calculations, and the results are in good agreement. There are eight primary solidification phases, Ag, γ-Ag_2Te, β-Ag_2Te, Ag_(1.9)Te, Ag_5Te_3, Te, PbTe and Pb, including a miscibility gap extended from the Ag–Te side. A ternary-eutectic reaction, L = PbTe + Te + Ag_5Te_3, was determined with a liquid composition of Ag-4.3at%Pb-62.6at%Te at 337 °C. A nanoscale microstructure containing a dotted PbTe and a lamellar matrix of Ag_5Te_3 and Te phases results from the ternary eutectic reaction. The solidification paths of selective ternary Ag–Pb–Te alloys are calculated using the Scheil model with the optimized interaction parameters obtained in this study, and the results are consistent with the experimental observations

The Co-Sb-Ga System: Isoplethal Section and Thermodynamic Modeling

The Co-Sb-Ga ternary system is an important thermoelectric material system, and its phase equilibria are in need of further understanding. The CoSb_3-GaSb isoplethal section is experimentally determined in this study. Phase equilibria of the ternary Co-Sb-Ga system are assessed, and the system’s thermodynamic models are developed. In addition to the terminal phases and liquid phase, there are six binary intermediate phases and a ternary Co_3Sb_2Ga_4 phase. The Ga solution in the CoSb_3 compound is described by a dual-site occupation (Ga_(VF))_x Co_4Sb_(12−x/2)(GaSb) _(x/2) model. Phase diagrams are calculated using the developed thermodynamic models, and a reaction scheme is proposed based on the calculation results. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimentally determined phase diagrams, including the CoSb_3-GaSb isoplethal section, the liquidus projection, and an isothermal section at 923 K (650 °C). The dual-site occupation (Ga_(VF))_x Co_4Sb_(12−x/2)(GaSb)_(x/2) model gives good descriptions of both phase equilibria and thermoelectric properties of the CoSb_3 phase with Ga doping

SiC-Zn nanocomposites obtained using the high-pressure infiltration technique

International audienceTwo-nanophase SiC-Zn composites were synthesized under pressure up to 8 GPa at up to 1000 degrees C using an high-pressure infiltration method. The advantage of this technique is that in a single, continuous process the ceramic nanopowder is compressed to form the matrix with nanopores; the nanopores are filled with a liquid secondary phase, (here Zn), which crystallizes as nano-scale grains. The key limitation is that the pores in the infiltrated preform have to stay open during the entire process. For this reason only powders of very hard ceramic materials can be used as a matrix. Two types of SiC nanopowders with average crystallite size of 10 nm and 60 nm and average particle size of 30 run and 100 run, respectively were used. The measurements of porosity of the green compacts prepared from these powders, pressed at 2.5 GPa and 8 GPa at room temperature, indicated that open porosity was maintained. The nanocomposites obtained show a "nano-nano" type microstructure with a uniform mixture of SiC and Zn phases. The volume fraction of Zn is 20 % independent of the process conditions and initial powder morphology. The process parameters and powder granularity influenced the crystal size of the secondary phase. The average grain size of Zn varied from 20 to 85 nm and was smaller in the composites obtained with the finer matrix, under higher pressure and at lower temperature. The microhardness HV02 of SiC-Zn nanocomposites varied from 6 to 22 GPa and increased with an increase of pressure and temperature of the infiltration process, and was significantly larger for the finer grained composites

Impact of diabetes mellitus on outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction according to varying degrees of left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to contribute to unfavorable short- and long-term outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Particularly poor outcomes are associated  with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after an MI. Our study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of MI in patients with DM and varying degrees of left ventricular systolic dysfunction with the corresponding outcomes in a non-diabetic control group.Methods: This analysis focused on patients with MI registered in the Polish National Registry of Acute Coronary Syndrome between 2009 and 2011. For this analysis, diabetic patients were additionally stratified into three subgroups depending on the degree of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, as assessed during their hospitalization for MI. Subsequently, the 30-day, 12-month, and 36-month outcomes in the diabetic study subgroups were compared with those in the corresponding non- -diabetic subgroups.Results: This analysis encompassed a nationwide cohort of 58 123 patients. Twelve- and 36-months mortality was greater in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients. The highest 36-months mortality (46.64%) was in the group of patients with DM and reduced ejection fraction (EF) <40%. Multivariate analysis showed diabetes and low EF to be independent risk factors for 36-month mortality, increasing the risk of death by 35% for diabetes and by 30% for each 5-percentage point EF decrease. Higher mortality was observed in older patients, smokers, and patients with ischemic heart disease before the index hospitalization.Conclusions: Both diabetes and reduced EF proved to be independent risk factors for increased mortality over a long-term follow-up after MI

Fabrication and Physical Properties of SiC-GaAs Nano-Composites

Nano-composites consisting of primary phase of hard nanocrystalline SiC matrix and the secondary nanocrystalline semiconductor (GaAs) phase were obtained by high-pressure zone infiltration. The synthesis process occurs in three stages: (i) at room temperature the nanopowder of SiC is compacted along with GaAs under high pressure up to 8 GPa, (ii) the temperature is increased above the melting point of GaAs up to 1600~K and, the pores are being filled with liquid, (iii) upon cooling GaAs nanocrystallites grow in the pores. Synthesis of nano-composites was performed using a toroid-type high-pressure apparatus (IHPP of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw) and six-anvil cubic press (MAX-80 at HASYLAB, Hamburg). X-ray diffraction studies were performed using a laboratory D5000 Siemens diffractometer. Phase composition, grain size, and macrostrains present in the synthesized materials were examined. Microstructure of the composites was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Far-infrared reflectivity measurements were used to determine built-in strain

Electrical and Structural Properties of Ohmic Contacts to n-Type and High Resistivity CdTe

The interaction between CdTe and In during the formation of an ohmic contact has been investigated. Emphasis is placed on the study of the effect of thermally induced sublimation of cadmium on electrical properties of contacts. Presented results prove the effectiveness of cap annealing and rapid thermal processing in fabrication of improved ohmic contacts with limited Cd losses during the contacting procedure