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

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

Wykorzystanie spektrofotometrii do oznaczania zawartości montmorillonitu w masach formierskich z bentonitem

The theoretical bases of spectrophotometry used in analysis are discussed in the paper as well as the results of investigations of the montmorillonite content by means of the spectrophotometric adsorption of the Cu(II)-triethylenetetramine (Cu-TET) complex are presented. Bentonites originated from various producers (Sud Chemie, ZGM Zębiec S.A,) as well as samples of model moulding sands bonded by these bentonites were inwestigated in respect of their montmorillonite content. The montmorillonite content was measured in samples being at a room temperature and at temperatures of 400 °C and 700 °C. It was indicated, that the determined montmorillonite content in bentonite for the bentonites under investigation and for the model moulding sands with bentonites, are comparable, which proves that the quartz matrix, does not disrupt the measuring methodology and the applied spectrophotometric method is suitable for the moulding sands. It was found that at a temperature of 700 °C montmorillonite undergoes deactivation in the tested bentonites.W publikacji omówiono podstawy teoretyczne spektrofotometrii wykorzystywanej w analityce chemicznej oraz przedstawiono wyniki badań zawartości montmorillonitu metodą spektrofotometryczną adsorpcji kompleksu Cu(II)-trietylenotetraminy (Cu-TET). Zbadano bentonity pochodzące od różnych producentów (Sud-Chemie, ZGM Zębiec S.A.) oraz próbki modelowych mas formierskich wiązanych tymi bentonitami pod względem ich zawartości montmorillonitu. Zawartość montmorillonitu mierzono w próbkach w temperaturze pokojowej oraz w próbkach wygrzewanych w temperaturze 400 °C i 700 °C. Wykazano, że wyznaczone zawartości montmorillonitu w bentonicie dla rozpatrywanych bentonitów i mas modelowych z ich udziałem są porównywalne, co świadczy o tym, że osnowa kwarcowa, nie zakłóca metodyki pomiarowej, a stosowana metoda spektrofotometryczna nadaje się do wykorzystania w odniesieniu do mas formierskich. Stwierdzono, że w temperaturze 700 °C następuje dezaktywacja montmorillonitu w badanych bentonitach

Using proton-pump inhibitors among hemodialysis patients - single academic dialysis center’s preliminary experience

Introduction: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of drugs which decrease gastric acid production, their overuse is becoming increasingly common. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate medical indications for PPIs in a cohort of prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients and their awareness about the medical effects of these drugs. Materials and methods: The study was performed in 78 HD patients enrolled in a chronic dialysis program in a single academic dialysis unit. The study was based on medical history obtained from the patients (survey about drugs they take with intention of revealing PPIs, indications for the treatment, their awareness of the mechanism of action of these drugs).Results: 46 patients (59%) took or have been taking PPIs. Almost half (49%; n=22) had no clear medical indications for the drugs. Prescription of PPIs without medical indications was more common among nephrologists (27%), when compared with gastroenterologists (5%; p<0.05). Only 29% (n=13) of patients taking PPIs were aware of the mechanism of action of the drugs. Conclusions: Results of this study reveal the problem of PPI overuse among HD patients. Gastroenterologists usually prescribed PPIs according to medical indications. Lack of patients’ knowledge about the indications for PPI therapy is overwhelming

Using proton-pump inhibitors among hemodialysis patients - single academic dialysis center’s preliminary experience

Introduction: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of drugs which decrease gastric acid production, their overuse is becoming increasingly common. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate medical indications for PPIs in a cohort of prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients and their awareness about the medical effects of these drugs. Materials and methods: The study was performed in 78 HD patients enrolled in a chronic dialysis program in a single academic dialysis unit. The study was based on medical history obtained from the patients (survey about drugs they take with intention of revealing PPIs, indications for the treatment, their awareness of the mechanism of action of these drugs).Results: 46 patients (59%) took or have been taking PPIs. Almost half (49%; n=22) had no clear medical indications for the drugs. Prescription of PPIs without medical indications was more common among nephrologists (27%), when compared with gastroenterologists (5%; p<0.05). Only 29% (n=13) of patients taking PPIs were aware of the mechanism of action of the drugs. Conclusions: Results of this study reveal the problem of PPI overuse among HD patients. Gastroenterologists usually prescribed PPIs according to medical indications. Lack of patients’ knowledge about the indications for PPI therapy is overwhelming