Thermal Stability of Austempered Ductile Iron Evaluated in a Temperature Range of 20-300K

The aim of this article was to determine through changes in magnetic properties the stability of the austempered ductile iron (ADI) microstructure during temperature changes in a range of 20 – 300 K. The measurements were taken in a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) using Fe27Ni2TiMoAlNb austenitic stainless steel and four types of austempered ductile iron obtained under various heat treatment conditions. The plotted curves showing changes in the magnetisation degree as a function of temperature had a number of characteristic points illustrating changes taking place in the microstructure. For each of the materials examined, the martensite start temperature Ms and the temperature range within which the martensitic transformation takes place were identified

Studia nad życiem i działalnością Macieja z Szydłowa

The article is an overview of the life and work of Maciej of Szydłów.Artykuł omawia życie i działalność Macieja z Szydłowa

Przyczyny wojny gruzińsko-rosyjskiej w 2008 roku

The paper is an attempt to have a multifaced discussion about the causes of the Russo-Georgian War that broke out on August 8th, 2008. The analysis begins with a geographic-historical feature of the disputed republics: Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Ajaria. The international character of the conflict between Georgia and the rebellious republics was given by interference of a global power – the Russian Federation. The author presents the causes of the conflicts between Russia and Georgia, which have multilayered and centuries-old substrates. They have led to a five-day armed conflict in which Georgia has defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity.Niniejszy artykuł stanowi próbę wielopłaszczyznowego omówienia przyczyn wojny gruzińsko-rosyjskiej, która wybuchła 8 sierpnia 2008 roku. Analizę rozpoczyna rys geograficzno-historyczny dotyczący spornych republik: Abchazji, Osetii Południowej i Adżarii. Konflikt pomiędzy Gruzją a zbuntowanymi republikami zyskał charakter międzynarodowy dzięki zaangażowaniu się światowego mocarstwa – Federacji Rosyjskiej. Autor przedstawia przyczyny zatargów pomiędzy Rosją i Gruzją, które mają wielowątkowe i wielowiekowe podłoże. Doprowadziły one do pięciodniowego konfliktu, który Gruzja stoczyła w obronie własnej suwerenności i integralności terytorialnej

Pediatric neurology in University Children's Hospital in Krakow

Autor przedstawił rozwój neurologii dziecięcej w Uniwersyteckim Szpitalu Dziecięcym w Krakowie, przed utworzeniem kliniki i po jej utworzeniu, a następnie po przekształceniu jej w katedrę. Przypomniał lekarzy, którzy na poszczególnych etapach brali udział w tym tworzeniu. Szczególną uwagę poświęcił działalności szpitalnej w ramach oddziału, poradni i pracowni. Zebrał publikacje naukowe dokumentujące pracę naukową i dydaktyczną jednostek. Zestawił zasadnicze elementy codziennej dydaktyki przed- i podyplomowej. Wskazał takż e na udział jednostek w ogólnopolskich i regionalnych zadaniach organizacyjnych.The author presents the development of pediatric neurology at the University Children’s Hospital in Krakow, before and after founding o f the Department and later Chair of Child and Adolescent Neurology. He recalls doctors who at various stages were involved in its creation. Particular attention is devoted to the activities of the hospital department, clinic and laboratory. He collects scientific papers documenting research and didactic achievements of the units. He compiles the essential elements of daily pre- and postgraduate teaching. He also points to the participation of the unit in national and regional organizational tasks

Efficient reduction of speckle noise in Optical Coherence Tomography

Speckle pattern, which is inherent in coherence imaging, influences significantly axial and transversal resolution of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) instruments. The well known speckle removal techniques are either sensitive to sample motion, require sophisticated and expensive sample tracking systems, or involve sophisticated numerical procedures. As a result, their applicability to in vivo real-time imaging is limited. In this work, we propose to average multiple A-scans collected in a fully controlled way to reduce the speckle contrast. This procedure involves non-coherent averaging of OCT A-scans acquired from adjacent locations on the sample. The technique exploits scanning protocol with fast beam deflection in the direction perpendicular to lateral dimension of the cross-sectional image. Such scanning protocol reduces the time interval between A-scans to be averaged to the repetition time of the acquisition system. Consequently, the averaging algorithm is immune to bulk motion of an investigated sample, does not require any sophisticated data processing to align cross-sectional images, and allows for precise control of lateral shift of the scanning beam on the object. The technique is tested with standard Spectral OCT system with an extra resonant scanner used for rapid beam deflection in the lateral direction. Ultrahigh speed CMOS camera serves as a detector and acquires 200,000 spectra per second. A dedicated A-scan generation algorithm allows for real-time display of images with reduced speckle contrast at 6 frames/second. This technique is applied to in vivo imaging of anterior and posterior segments of the human eye and human skin

Structure and some magnetic properties of (BiFeO3)x-(BaTiO3)1-x solid solutions prepared by solid-state sintering

This paper presents the results of the study on structure and magnetic properties of the perovskite-type (BiFeO3)x-(BaTiO3)1-x solid solutions. The samples differing in the chemical composition (x = 0.9, 0.8, and 0.7) were produced according to the conventional solid-state sintering method from the mixture of powders. Moreover, three different variants of the fabrication process differing in the temperatures and soaking time were applied. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were collected and compared for the set of the investigated materials. The structural transformation from rhombohedral to cubic symmetry was observed for the samples with x = 0.7. With increasing of BaTiO3 concentration Mössbauer spectra become broadened reflecting various configurations of atoms around 57Fe probes. Moreover, gradual decreasing of the average hyperfine magnetic field and macroscopic magnetization were observed with x decreasing

Application of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) for the assessment of peat properties : a case study of the Całowanie Fen, Central Poland

Complex studies were carried out to recognize the fen structure and peat properties in the Całowanie Fen area, belonging to the Natura 2000 network. The studies were conducted in two study areas that differ significantly in terms of peat thickness. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) was used to identify the properties of the peat and its substrate, such as thickness and electrical resistivity. Comparison of the field studies with the laboratory tests has shown that the ash content rises electrical resistivity in peat. In addition, the study has shown that the application of non-invasive geophysical methods in protected areas is justified. The fen, as a medium containing mostly water, was a proper test area for the ERI measurements

The present state of knowledge of the insect fauna o f the Bolimów Landscape Park, with particular reference to the river Rawka’s valley

During the study, 653 species of insects have been found in the Bolimów Landscape Park, including 62 rare and interesting species. Among them the beetle Aderus peniaiomus is a new species for the Polish fauna. Many species occurring here are new for the Mazovia region.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

30-year International Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery Partnership : evolution from the "Third World" forward

BACKGROUND: Craniofacial diseases constitute an important component of the surgical disease burden in low- and middle-income countries. The consideration to introduce craniofacial surgery into such settings poses different questions, risks, and challenges compared with cleft or other forms of plastic surgery. We report the evolution, innovations, and challenges of a 30-year international craniofacial surgery partnership. METHODS: We retrospectively report a partnership between surgeons at the Uniwersytecki Szpital Dzieciecy in Krakow, Poland, and a North American craniofacial surgeon. We studied patient conditions, treatment patterns, and associated complications, as well as program advancements and limitations as perceived by surgeons, patient families, and hospital administrators. RESULTS: Since partnership inception in 1986, the complexity of cases performed increased gradually, with the first intracranial case performed in 1995. In the most recent 10-year period (2006–2015), 85 patients have been evaluated, with most common diagnoses of Apert syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and single-suture craniosynostosis. In the same period, 55 major surgical procedures have been undertaken, with LeFort III midface distraction, posterior vault distraction, and frontoorbital advancement performed most frequently. Key innovations have been the employment of craniofacial distraction osteogenesis, the use of Internet communication and digital photography, and increased understanding of how craniofacial morphology may improve in the absence of surgical intervention. Ongoing challenges include prohibitive training pathways for pediatric plastic surgeons, difficulty in coordinating care with surgeons in other institutions, and limited medical and material resources. CONCLUSION: Safe craniofacial surgery can be introduced and sustained in a resource-limited setting through an international partnership

The interactions between SATB1 and F-actin are important for mechanisms of active cell death

Introduction. The direct involvement of nuclear actin filaments in gene transcription and remodeling of chromatin is still debatable. However, nuclear localization of F-actin and its interactions with other nuclear matrix proteins have been reported. The aim of the study was to estimate the interactions between nuclear F-actin and one of the matrix proteins, special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1), during active cell death induced in vitro by geldanamycin (GA). Material and methods. The expression of SATB1 was modified by the transfection of non-aggressive breast cancer MCF-7 cells with siRNA against SATB1 or expression plasmid with cloned cDNA of SATB1. The amount and localization of F-actin were altered by changes of cofilin-1 (CFL1) expression in MCF-7 cells. The association between SATB1 and F-actin during GA-induced cell death was analyzed using confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Results. Our studies revealed the colocalization between nuclear F-actin and SATB1 protein, during GA-induced death of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The colocalization was enhanced in cells with overexpressed SATB1 and cofilin-1. At the ultrastructural level the SATB1 and F-actin complexes were seen at the border of condensed and decondensed chromatin. The presence of SATB1/F-actin molecular complexes was confirmed by magnetic separation of F-actin and interacting proteins. Conclusion. We suggest that the molecular interactions between SATB1 and F-actin are necessary for active cell death to occur