The use of race, ethnicity and ancestry in human genetic research

Post-Human Genome Project progress has enabled a new wave of population genetic research, and intensified controversy over the use of race/ethnicity in this work. At the same time, the development of methods for inferring genetic ancestry offers more empirical means of assigning group labels. Here, we provide a systematic analysis of the use of race/ethnicity and ancestry in current genetic research. We base our analysis on key published recommendations for the use and reporting of race/ethnicity which advise that researchers: explain why the terms/categories were used and how they were measured, carefully define them, and apply them consistently. We studied 170 population genetic research articles from high impact journals, published 2008–2009. A comparative perspective was obtained by aligning study metrics with similar research from articles published 2001–2004. Our analysis indicates a marked improvement in compliance with some of the recommendations/guidelines for the use of race/ethnicity over time, while showing that important shortfalls still remain: no article using ‘race’, ‘ethnicity’ or ‘ancestry’ defined or discussed the meaning of these concepts in context; a third of articles still do not provide a rationale for their use, with those using ‘ancestry’ being the least likely to do so. Further, no article discussed potential socio-ethical implications of the reported research. As such, there remains a clear imperative for highlighting the importance of consistent and comprehensive reporting on human populations to the genetics/genomics community globally, to generate explicit guidelines for the uses of ancestry and genetic ancestry, and importantly, to ensure that guidelines are followed

Opracowanie kierunków modernizacji dźwigów elektrycznych eksploatowanych w Polsce /

Promotor: Jerzy Kwaśniewski.Niepublikowana praca doktorska.Praca doktorska. Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. Stanisława Staszica (Kraków). Wydział Inżynierii Mechanicznej i Robotyki. Katedra Transportu Linowego, 2014.Bibliogr. k. 162-168.Analiza stanu prawnego w zakresie bezpieczeństwa eksploatacji urządzeń dźwigowych, dyrektywa dźwigowa jako podstawowy dokument związany z bezpieczną eksploatacją urządzeń dźwigowych, dyrektywa dźwigowa 95/16/WE, zalecenie Komisji Europejskiej 95/216/EC, PN-EN 81-1, przepisy bezpieczeństwa dotyczące budowy i instalowania dźwigów, dźwigi elektryczne, zasady poprawy bezpieczeństwa użytkowanych dźwigów PN -EN 81-80 SNEL, projekt rozporządzenia Ministra Gospodarki odnoszącego się do dźwigów eksploatowanych, aspekt energetyczny w eksploatacji urządzeń dźwigowych, sposoby certyfikacji energetycznej urządzeń dźwigowych, sposoby szacowania zużycia energii wg Schroedera, prace Doolarda, sposób szacowania zużycia energii urządzenia dźwigowego wg Lorente, Gomez, Diaz, Arteche, analiza normy PN-EN ISO 25745-1:2013-03E, opis E4 Project - SIA 380/4, sposób oceny efektywności energetycznej dźwigu wg VDI 4707, poziom bezpieczeństwa dźwigów użytkowanych w Polsce, analiza parametrów technicznych i eksploatacyjnych urządzeń dźwigowych użytkowanych w Polsce, wykorzystanie stosowanych metod do określenia kategorii energetycznej urządzeń dźwigowych, warunki pomiaru, analiza badanej struktury, parametry zastosowanej aparatury i metodyka pomiarów, analiza wyników pomiarów, analiza wyników pomiarów wybranych instalacji, analiza wpływu modernizacji na zmianę klasy efektywności energetycznej oraz poprawę bezpieczeństwa eksploatacji, analiza wyników pomiarów i metod wykorzystywanych w obliczeniach klasy efektywności energetycznej, porównanie sposobu obliczania metody VDI 4707 oraz projektu E4, problem intensywności użytkowania urządzeń dźwigowych, niepewność pomiaru stosowanych metod certyfikacji energetycznej, cykl tygodniowy w określaniu klasy efektywności energetycznej, system pomiarowy do certyfikacji energetycznej urządzeń dźwigowych, system pomiarowy parametrów energetycznych i eksploatacyjnych urządzeń dźwigowych, zastosowanie logiki rozmytej w certyfikacji energetycznej urządzeń dźwigowych, analiza wyników uzyskanych z badania wybranej instalacji dźwigowej, warunki implementacji cięgien w nowoczesnych rozwiązaniach urządzeń dźwigowych, badana struktura, możliwości zastosowania metody magnetycznej w diagnostyce cięgien urządzeń dźwigowych, głowica do diagnostyki cięgien w osnowie z tworzyw sztucznych, badania weryfikacyjne głowicy pomiarowe

Analysis and assessment of energy efficiency of passenger lifts

The energy performance and operational characteristics of the passenger lift investigated in this study were based on energy consumption data registered throughout the normal duty cycle. An overview is provided of available methods employed to evaluate the energy uptake of passenger lifts, relying mostly on energy consumption measurements taken on a real object over an idealised reference duty cycle. Measurement data were used to determine the energy efficiency rating of the lift during the trip cycle and in the standby mode and the energy demand levels, which are then to be compared with measurement results obtained under the service conditions

The Effect of Ecological Agents Added to Lubricating Oil on Selected Operating Parameters of an Internal Combustion Engine

This article presents the influence of ecological measures, i.e., the addition of effective microorganisms and silver compounds to lubricating oil, on the operating parameters of an internal combustion engine. The basic diagnostic parameters of a reciprocating engine that determine its technical condition are described. In the Materials and Methods section, the research stand and materials are presented. The main section of the article presents a comparison of pure oil and oil with the addition of effective microorganisms and silver compounds. It was found that the addition of effective microorganisms and silver compounds to oil reduces the emission of toxic components into the atmosphere with exhaust gas, and the other engine operation parameters for each load value indicate that these additives do not cause deterioration in the technical condition of the tested engine. Of all the agents used, the addition of ceramic tubes gives the best results, as it is an additive that does not affect the properties of the oil in its composition. The advantage of ceramic tubes is the slow release of effective microorganisms, which has an impact on the oil’s performance, and thus on engine operation. Further research will examine how these additives affect the anti-seizure and anti-wear properties of the lubricating oil used, which should give a broader view of the impact of these additives on the technical condition of the piston engine in operation

Optimisation of the Magnetic Circuit of a Measuring Head for Diagnostics of Steel-Polyurethane Load-Carrying Belts Using Numerical Methods

The paper describes the process of a prototype head optimisation for magnetic diagnostics of steel-polyurethane load-carrying belts. The prototype, validated on a number of cranes, was subject to an improvement and optimisation attempt using numerical analysis of magnetic field distribution in the magnetic circuit, tested load-carrying belt, and environment. The analysis was carried out in the ANSYS environment using PDS—Probabilistic Design System tools (DOE—Design of Experiment). Taking the dimensions of individual elements of the magnetic circuit, material densities, and magnetic material properties as the input data, the magnetic circuit was optimised with respect to metrological properties as well as mass and size criteria. Based on the analyses carried out and the results obtained, the head design was modernised, which involved changing the geometry of elements forming the magnetic circuit. Based on observations made during tests of the prototype version of the device performed on real objects, several improvements were also proposed, consisting of the replacement of selected components with elements printed in the FDM technology. The correctness of the performed numerical analyses was verified by comparing the measured and calculated values of the total magnetic field induction in the defined plane of the magnetic circuit. The prototype versions of heads before and after modernisation were subject to comparative tests. Under laboratory conditions, both versions of heads were used to diagnose the steel-polyurethane load-carrying belts with modelled damages. The obtained test results and their statistical characteristics were analysed in detail

Construction and Verification for Metrological Properties of the Prototype Magnetic Head for Nondestructive Testing of Lift Guide Rail Wear under Test Conditions

The working surface of lift guide rails during operation is exposed to the destructive action of catchers under emergency braking conditions. In most cases, this surface is lubricated with grease, which makes it impossible to visually assess their local wear. The comfort of cabin movement on guide rails and thus the feelings of cabin occupants depend on the condition of guide rails. Therefore, the verification of lift guide rails wear under real conditions (in situ) is quite cumbersome. In order to assess them on a monthly basis, they would have to be completely cleaned and the excessively worn areas would have to be measured with universal measuring tools and re-lubricated. Such activities would only be a waste of time and lubricant

Case Study of Support Frame Optimization Using a Distant Load

This article presents the results of the structure optimization for the power unit carrying frame of a friction lift by means of numerical calculations using the finite element method (FEM). Optimization analysis covered the frame structure. The analysis was focused on strength optimization with the use of a remote load and on manufacturing optimization with attention paid to the operating times necessary to complete the production process of the carrying frame subassemblies. The Solidworks simulation program was used to optimize the frame in terms of the strength criterion. The program allowed both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the frame material effort before and after optimization

Diagnostics of steel ropes constituting structural elements of building objects

Zastosowanie lin stalowych w budownictwie obejmuje między innymi cięgna i stężenia w konstrukcjach stalowych. Diagnostyka lin stalowych to głównie nieniszczące badania defektoskopowe zorientowane na wykrycie pęknięć drutów, deformacji, starć oraz korozji. Jako metody badań stosowane są najczęściej różnego rodzaju metody magnetyczne (aktywne i coraz częściej pasywne) oraz wizualne. W artykule przedstawiono charakterystykę stosowanych metod oraz wyniki diagnostyki lin stalowych na przykładzie wybranych realizacji. Omówiono sposób regulacji sił naciągu stężeń linowych konstrukcji zabytkowego hangaru oraz przebieg i wyniki kompleksowych badań stanu technicznego lin konstrukcji wsporczej gazociągu i odciągów linowych masztu radiowo-telewizyjnego.The use of steel ropes in construction includes, among others, tension members and bracing in steel structures. Steel rope diagnostics are mainly non-destructive flaw detection tests focused on detecting wire cracks, deformations, abrasions and corrosion. As research methods, various magnetic (active and increasingly passive) and visual methods are most often used. The article presents the characteristics of the methods used and the results of wire rope diagnostics on the example of selected implementations. The method of adjusting the tension forces of rope bracing of the historic hangar structure, as well as the course and results of comprehensive tests of the technical condition of ropes of the gas pipeline supporting structure and radio mast haul-offs are discussed

A new biotechnology method of bioelements' accumulation monitoring in in vitro culture of Agaricus bisporus

Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) Imbach is one the most popular species of edible mushrooms in the world because of its taste and nutritional properties. In the research, repeatability of accumulation of bioelements and biomass yield in experimentally chosen in vitro culture medium, was confirmed. The in vitro cultures were conducted on the modified Oddoux medium enriched with bioelements (Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe). The aim of the study was to create an effective method of sampling, which enabled non-invasive monitoring of metals concentrations changes in the medium, during increase of biomass in in vitro cultures. The first, indirect method of sampling was applied. The non-invasive probe (a dipper) for in vitro culture was used; hence, the highest biomass increase and metals accumulation were gained. The method also guaranteed culture sterility. The second method, a direct one, interfered the in vitro culture conditions and growth of mycelium, and as a consequence the lower biomass increase and metals’ accumulation were observed. Few cases of contaminations of mycelium in in vitro cultures were observed. The proposed method of non-invasive sampling of the medium can be used to monitor changes in the concentrations of metals in the medium and their accumulation in the mycelium in natural environment. Changes in concentrations of the selected metals over time, determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry, made it possible to correlate the obtained results with the specific stages of A. bisporus mycelium development and to attempt to explain the mechanism of sampling metals from the liquid substrate