Medium Moderates the Message. How Users Adjust Their Communication Trajectories to Different Media in Collaborative Task Solving.

Rapid development of information and communications technologies (ICT) has triggered profound changes in how people manage their social contacts in both informal and professional contexts. ICT mediated communication may seem limited in possibilities compared to face-to-face encounters, but research shows that puzzlingly often it can be just as effective and satisfactory. We posit that ICT users employ specific communication strategies adapted to particular communication channels, which results in a comparable effectiveness of communication. In order to maintain a satisfactory level of conversational intelligibility they calibrate the content of their messages to a given medium's richness and adjust the whole conversation trajectory so that every stage of the communication process runs fluently. In the current study, we compared complex task solving trajectories in chat, mobile phone and face-to-face dyadic conversations. Media conditions did not influence the quality of decision outcomes or users' perceptions of the interaction, but they had impact on the amount of time devoted to each of the identified phases of decision development. In face-to-face contacts the evaluation stage of the discussion dominated the conversation; in the texting condition the orientation-evaluation-control phases were evenly distributed; and the phone condition provided a midpoint between these two extremes. The results show that contemporary ICT users adjust their communication behavior to the limitations and opportunities of various media through the regulation of attention directed to each stage of the discussion so that as a whole the communication process remains effective

Simulation techniques in the anatomy curriculum: review of literature

Modern medical education faces a problem of combining the latest technology, procedures and information with classic teaching methods. Simulation is a technique, which replaces or amplifies doctor–patient experiences in controlled conditions and therefore evokes or replicates substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive manner. The basic course of anatomy in medical education could be recognised as the best example of implementing new educational techniques such as simulation, into the traditional medical curriculum. The PubMed database was searched using specific key words. Finally 72 articles were accepted and were divided into 3 basic categories of teaching methods: Category 1 — cadaveric dissection, Category 2 — simulator based education and Category 3 — other. A state of the art anatomical curriculum offers numerous possibilities and solutions including the oldest like cadaveric dissection and newest like simulators. Different simulation techniques are used with different intensity; however cadaveric dissection is still the most popular method. The second most frequent method is simulation-based training, in which North America is the leading country. The identification of anatomical structures during virtual surgical procedures or laparoscopic robotic procedures can be integrated into the traditional anatomy course. New technologies are supportive and beneficial in anatomy teaching however each excitement of new technologies sometimes should be tempered and evaluated for its usefulness in making the learning process constructive for students and their future practice

Experimental and numerical study of the effects of the reversal hot rolling conditions on the recrystallization behavior of austenite model alloys

The experimental and numerical study of the effects of the recrystallization behavior of austenite model alloys during hot plate rolling on reverse rolling is the main goal of the paper. The computer models that are currently applied for simulation of reverse rolling are not strain-path-sensitive, thus leading to overestimation of the processing parameters outside the accepted process window (e.g., deformation in the partial austenite recrystallization region). Therefore, in this work, a particular focus is put on the investigation of strain path effects that occur during hot rolling and their influence on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of microalloyed austenite. Both experimental and numerical techniques are employed in this study, taking advantage of the integrated computational material engineering concept. The combined isotropic–kinematic hardening model is used for the macroscale predictions to take into account softening effects due to strain reversal. The macroscale model is additionally enriched with the full-field microstructure evolution model within the cellular automata framework. Examples of obtained results, highlighting the role of the strain reversal on the microstructural response, are presented within the paper. The combination of the physical simulation of austenitic model alloys and computer modeling provided new insights into optimization of the processing routes of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS)

Analiza struktury oraz właściwości tribologicznych spiekanych stali nierdzewnych

Increasing development of civilization encourages the search for modern engineering materials. At present, very interesting and promising materials are sintered stainless steels that are considered to be the most rapidly developing group of materials, which is related to the demand for materials with good mechanical properties and high resistance to corrosive agents. Taking into account sintered austenitic–ferritic steels, it is possibile to obtain a structure with different proportions of the two basic structural components. The main problem limiting the applicability of sintered stainless steels is porosity, which deteriorates not only the strength properties but also the usability as compared to their cast and materials after plastic working. Extremely valuable factors influencing tribological properties are the chemical composition, proportion of individual powders and sintering conditions. In this study, the microstructure and tribological properties of sintered stainless steels obtained by sintering in different proportions of 316L austenitic steel and 409L ferritic steel were compared. The abrasion wear resistance test for individual sintered steels was performed by pin-on-disc method.Zwiększający się rozwój cywilizacyjny zachęca do poszukiwania nowoczesnych materiałów inżynierskich. Obecnie bardzo interesującymi i obiecującymi materiałami są stale spiekane zaliczane do najprężniej rozwijającej się grupy materiałów, co jest związane z zapotrzebowaniem na materiały o dobrych własnościach mechanicznych i wysokiej odporności na oddziaływanie czynników korozyjnych. Biorąc pod uwagę spiekane stale austenityczno-ferrytyczne, możliwe jest uzyskanie struktury o różnych udziałach dwóch podstawowych składników strukturalnych. Głównym problemem ograniczającym możliwości aplikacyjne spiekanych stali nierdzewnych jest porowatość, która pogarsza nie tylko własności wytrzymałościowe, ale również użytkowe w porównaniu z ich odlewanymi i przerabianymi plastycznie odpowiednikami. Niezwykle cennymi czynnikami wpływającymi na własności tribologiczne są skład chemiczny, udział poszczególnych proszków oraz warunki spiekania. W niniejszym opracowaniu dokonano porównania mikrostruktury i własności tribologicznych spiekanych stali nierdzewnych, uzyskanych poprzez spiekanie w różnych proporcjach stali austenitycznej 316L oraz stali ferrytycznej 409L. Badanie odporności na zużycie ścierne dla poszczególnych stali spiekanych zostało przeprowadzone metodą pin-on-disc

Design of new gluten-free extruded rice snack products supplemented with fresh vegetable pulps: the effect on processing and functional properties

The aim of this study was to obtain ready-to-eat gluten-free snack products based on rice with the addition of fresh beetroot, carrot, kale, leek and onion pulps in the amounts of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% (w/w). The snacks were processed using extrusion- cooking at various screw speeds (80, 100 and 120 rpm). The total phenolics content, processing efficiency, specific mechanical energy, expansion ratio, bulk density, colour and texture profile were determined. The results showed that the type and amount of vegetable pulp added had a significant effect on the total phenolics content, expansion ratio, bulk density and colour profile of the newly produced gluten-free snacks. Generally, the screw speed had a significant effect on processing efficiency. Moreover, the interactions between the content of the vegetable additives and the screw speed had significant effects on the total phenolics content, processing efficiency, physical properties and texture of the snack products. The research demonstrated the possibility of using fresh vegetable pulps as nutritionally valuable ingredients for glutenfree extruded snacks

DNA polymorphism in locus D1S80 in Poland. DNA profiling and detection of new alleles by heteroduplex formation between alleles of the same size

We have analysed allele distribution at the highly polymorphic variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) locus D1S80 (pMCT118) in the Polish population using the, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Characteristics of the D1S80 locus makes it a very useful marker for population genetic research, genetic linkage studies and forensic identification of individuals. During our routine application of the D1S80 marker to paternity testing in several cases of homozygosity detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, heteroduplex formation for alleles 18 and 24 was also observed. Direct sequencing of PCR products revealed that alleles 18 and 24 of locus D1S80 actually represent a mixture composed of different sequences. Our observations indicate that identification of some 18 and 24 VNTR alleles based only on size estimated in electrophoretic analyses could lead to errors in paternity testing and DNA profiling

Pieczarka brazylijska Agaricus brasiliensis (Wasser et al.) - właściwości oraz warunki uprawy

Almond mushroom – Agaricus brasiliensis (Wasser et al.) was discovered and popularised as late as the 20th century. However, it has been known for its exceptional properties in the places of its origin for a long time. Studies have been conducted worldwide for several decades, aiming at the precise determination of these properties and their applicability in medicine. To date it has been proven that almond mushroom extracts exhibit anticancer and antibacterial action, and reduce blood cholesterol level. They are also useful in the treatment of AIDS, diabetes, hypertension and viral hepatitis. Almond mushroom is a very tasty mushroom with an almond aroma. This species is also characterised by high protein content and low fat content. For appropriate growth and development almond mushroom requires relatively high temperatures and air humidity as well as access of light. However, world literature sources contain limited data concerning the cultivation technology of almond mushroom. In Poland almond mushroom is practically unknown, while its considerable therapeutic properties should be an incentive to initiate more extensive studies.Pieczarka brazylijska – Agaricus brasiliensis (Wasser et al.) została odkryta i spopularyzowana dopiero w XX w. Jednak od dawna znana była w miejscu swego pochodzenia z niezwykłych właściwości. Na świecie od kilkudziesięciu lat prowadzone są badania, których celem jest pełne poznanie tych własności i możliwość ich wykorzystania w medycynie. Do tej pory udowodniono, że wyciągi z pieczarki brazylijskiej wykazują działanie antynowotworowe, antybakteryjne, redukują poziom cholesterolu we krwi. Pomocne są także w leczeniu AIDS, cukrzycy, nadciśnienia i wirusowego zapalenia wątroby. Pieczarka brazylijska jest bardzo smacznym grzybem o migdałowym aromacie. Charakteryzuje się między innymi wysoką zawartością białka oraz niską zawartością tłuszczu. Dla prawidłowego wzrostu oraz rozwoju gatunek ten wymaga stosunkowo wysokiej temperatury i wilgotności powietrza oraz dostępu światła. Literatura światowa zawiera jednak niewiele danych dotyczących technologii uprawy pieczarki brazylijskiej. W Polsce pieczarka brazylijska jest praktycznie grzybem nieznanym, którego znaczące właściwości lecznicze powinny skłonić do podjęcia szerszych badań