Selection criteria of lustrous carbon carriers in the aspect of properties of greensand system

Carbonaceous additives have often been regarded as problem ones to solve and improve the surface finish of iron castings, but at the same time they cause other issues such as increased loss on ignition, total fines and moisture in greensand systems. With the correct selection of carbonaceous additive, the combination of low ash, high volatile and lustrous carbon content coupled with the key element grading size, ensures that produced castings are free from metal penetration and surface related problems

Neškodljivost kalupnih pjesaka sa bentonitom i svijetlećim nositeljima ugljika

Procedures have been developed to determine the volume, rate and composition (particularly BTEX: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)) of gas evolution from moulds and cores prepared with various binders as a means of harmfulness of moulding sands. The rate of gas evolution from green sands with four different lustrous carbon carrier and BTEX content were determined. The gas evolution rates are highest in the range of about 20 to 30 s after contact with molten metal. In practice during the first 200-250 s the total emission of gases generated in investigated samples occurred. The main emitted component from the BTEX group was benzene.Postupci su razvijeni za određivanje volumena, brzine i sastava (posebice BTEX: benzen, toluen, etilbenzen, xilana) i PAH (policiklički automatski hidrokarbonati) plina koji nastaje iz kalupa i jezgri na različitim nosačima u težnji za neškodljivost kalupnih pijesaka. Brzine nastajanja plina iz pripravljenih pijesaka sa 4 različita svijetleća nositelja ugljika i sadržajem BTEX su određeni. Brzine nastajanja plina su najveće u razini 20 do 30 s poslije dodira sa rastopljenim metalom. Praktično, tijekom prvih 200-250 s ostvaruje se ukupna emisija stvorenih plinova u istraživanim uzorcima. Iz BTEX skupine, benzen je glavna emitirajuća komponenta

Epidemiology of physical activity in adult Polish population in the second decade of the 21st century. Results of the NATPOL 2011 study

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess physical activity (PA) level in a representative sample of Polish adults.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed among 2413 randomly selected individuals (51.5% women) aged 18-79 years, who participated in the Nationwide Study of Occurrence of Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases NATPOL 2011 (March-July 2011). The study procedures consisted of a questionnaire as well as of anthropometric, blood pressure and biochemical measurements. Leisure-time, occupational and commuting PA were assessed by the use of a questionnaire interview. Results: About 48.2% of adults do exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of a week. About 11% of the respondents declare a sedentary lifestyle. About 26.5% of working population report hard physical work, while sedentary work is reported by 47.6% of the employed participants. Active commuting is declared by 27.3% of working/studying population. About 47.2%, 36.6%, and 15.3% spend 30 min per day, respectively, on this kind of PA. Conclusions: PA level of more than half of Polish adults is still not satisfactory. Promotion of an active lifestyle should concern mainly leisure-time and commuting PA with paying special attention to substantial differences in various socio-demographic groups

Types of inferior mesenteric artery: a proposal for a new classification

Background: The inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal. The aim of this study was to characterise the course and morphology of the terminal branches of the IMA, and also creating a new IMA classification, which seems to be necessary for clinicians performing surgery in this area.Materials and methods: The anatomical variations in the branching patterns of the IMA were examined in 40 cadavers fixed in a 10% formalin solution. Morphometric measurements were then obtained twice by two researchers.Results: Due to the proposed classification system, type I characterised by a common trunk preceding bifurcation into sigmoidal branches and the superior rectal artery after giving left colic artery (LCA) occurred in 57.5% of cases, type II, trifurcation type, in 25%, type III with the superior rectal arteries originating firstly from the IMA in 5%, type IV with the ascending lumbar artery in 10% of cases and type V, a novelty, in 2.5%. The origin of IMA was observed at the level of L2/L3 in 22.5% of cases, at L3 in 25% of cases, at L3/L4 in 15% of cases, at L4 in 35% of cases and at the level of L5 in 2.5% of cases. More than one third (38.1%) of total cases with additional arteries and rapidly bifurcating branches occurred in types III, IV, and V. In women, only the IMA and LCA were significantly narrower than in men. Only the diameter of the IMA correlated with the diameter of the superior rectal artery.Conclusions: The IMA is characterised by high morphological variability. The introduction of a new, structured, anatomical classification seems necessary for all clinicians

EQ-5D in Central and Eastern Europe : 2000-2015

Objective: Cost per quality-adjusted life year data are required for reimbursement decisions in many Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. EQ-5D is by far the most commonly used instrument to generate utility values in CEE. This study aims to systematically review the literature on EQ-5D from eight CEE countries. Methods: An electronic database search was performed up to July 1, 2015 to identify original EQ-5D studies from the countries of interest. We analysed the use of EQ-5D with respect to clinical areas, methodological rigor, population norms and value sets. Results: We identified 143 studies providing 152 country-specific results with a total sample size of 81,619: Austria (n=11), Bulgaria (n=6), Czech Republic (n=18), Hungary (n=47), Poland (n=51), Romania (n=2), Slovakia (n=3) and Slovenia (n=14). Cardiovascular (20%), neurologic (16%), musculoskeletal (15%) and endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (14%) were the most frequently studied clinical areas. Overall 112 (78%) of the studies reported EQ VAS results and 86 (60%) EQ-5D index scores, of which 27 (31%) did not specify the applied tariff. Hungary, Poland and Slovenia have population norms. Poland and Slovenia also have a national value set. Conclusions: Increasing use of EQ-5D is observed throughout CEE. The spread of health technology assessment activities in countries seems to be reflected in the number of EQ-5D studies. However, improvement in informed use and methodological quality of reporting is needed. In jurisdictions where no national value set is available, in order to ensure comparability we recommend to apply the most frequently used UK tariff. Regional collaboration between CEE countries should be strengthened

Wykorzystanie gier wideo w terapii niedowidzenia – przegląd literatury

Niedowidzenie jest zaburzeniem dotyczącym najczęściej jednego oka, w którym dochodzi do obniżenia ostrości wzroku. Wśród metod mających na celu wyprowadzenie niedowidzenia, wyróżnić możemy terapie jednooczne oraz terapie dwuoczne. Najnowsze badania skupiają się na ocenie możliwości wykorzystania gier wideo w terapii niedowidzenia. Celem niniejszej publikacji jest przedstawienie wyników badań dotyczących efektywności rozwiązań gamingowych używanych w terapii niedowidzenia u dzieci i dorosłych.Amblyopia is a decrease in visual acuity, which usually affects one eye. Monocular and dichoptic approaches are used to treat amblyopia. Recent studies try to use a video games as a possible treatment for amblyopia. Present article will review the effectiveness of gaming solutions used in the treatment of amblyopia in children and adults based on the latest research

X-Ray Computed Tomography in the Nondestructive Testing of Ductile Iron Castings

W artykule przedstawiono aktualne możliwości urządzeń pomiarowych, jakimi są tomografy komputerowe (CT), zdolnych do wykonania pełnych prześwietleń odlewów o grubości ścianek przekraczającej 80 mm. Wszystkie badania nieniszczące (NDT) zostały wykonane na wybranych odlewach z żeliwa sferoidalnego i szarego wykonanych w Spółce Akcyjnej Odlewnie Polskie w Starachowicach. Przedstawiono zasadę działania i ogólną budowę tomografów komputerowych oraz możliwości ich wykorzystania. Dodatkowo pokazano możliwości CT przy wizualizacji wyników i zestawieniu ich z dokumentacją 3D. Przedstawiono perspektywy oraz ograniczenia przy wykrywaniu i określaniu wad w odlewach.Actual possibilities of the computer-aided X-ray tomography equipment (CT) were presented illustrated by examples of devices capable to analyze the 80 mm thickness castings. All presented results of the nondestructive tests are performed for iron castings produced by “Odlewnie Polskie” S.A. based in Starachowice. The base principles of operation and structure of CT scanners are shown as well as possibility of this devices. The possibilities of the CT are presented in the domains of the results visualization and of the comparison with 3D documentation. Prospects and limitation of the casting defects detection and identification are presented

Ocena szkodliwości żywic stosowanych jako nośniki węgla błyszczącego w masach z bentonitem

The assessment of harmfulness of two resins applied as a partial substitute of coal dust in moulding sands with bentonite - was performed in the paper. The emission value of compounds from the PAH and BTEX groups was assumed as the main harmfulness criterion. Also mixtures of the Kormix type prepared with additions of these resins were tested. Experiments were carried out in an argon atmosphere in a temperature range: 500-1300°. The obtained emission values of these substances were recalculated for 1% of lustrous carbon content in each carrier. It was assumed in the calculations, that the NW 1 and NW 2 carriers contain approximately 55% of lustrous carbon while the Kormix mixture approximately 15%. The critical temperature of forming compounds of the PAH group for the NW 1 carrier is 900°, while for the NW 2 carrier is 1100° (this is a temperature, at which the emission abruptly increases). In case of formation of compounds from the BTEX group the critical temperature for both lustrous carbon carriers is a temperature of 900°.W artykule dokonano oceny szkodliwości dwóch żywic stosowanych jako częściowy zamiennik pyłu węglowego w masach z bentonitem. Jako kryterium przyjęto wielkość emisji związków z grupy WWA oraz BTEX. Zbadano również mieszanki typu Kormix sporządzane z dodatkiem tych żywic. Badania przeprowadzono w atmosfer argonu w zakresie temperatury 500-1300°C. Uzyskane wartości wielkości emisji tych związków zostały przeliczone na 1% zawartości węgla błyszczącego w każdym z nośników . Do obliczeń np. przyjeęo, że nośniki NW 1 i NW 2 zawierają około 55% węgla błyszczącego, a mieszanki Kormix około 15%. Dla nośnika NW 1 temperatura krytyczna tworzenia się WWA jest 900°C, a dla nośnika NW 2 temperatura 1100°C (jest to temperatura, w której gwałtownie wzrasta emisja). W przypadku tworzenia się BTEX temperatura krytyczna, dla obu nosników węgla błyszczącego jest temperatura 900°C