Correlation between the band-gap energy and the electrical conductivity in MPr2W2O10 tungstates (Where M = Cd, Co, Mn)

The values of the direct allowed energy gap determined from the UV-vis-NIR measurements and Kubelka– Munk transformation decrease from 3.38 via 2.70 to 2.42 eV for MPr2W2O10 in the sequence M = Cd, Co, Mn, while the values of the activation energy increase from 0.11 via 0.44 to 0.47 eV in the same sequence. In other words, the higher the activation energy, the smaller the energy gap. Because the energy gap is typical for insulators, so electron transport phenomena are considered under the Poole–Frenkel effect and small-polaron mechanism

Physical activity levels as a quantifier in police officers and cadets

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the physical activity levels of active duty police officers and police academy cadets in different life domains and intensities. These parameters were treated as potential quantifiers that could be used when assessing individuals preparing for work as future police officers. Material and Methods: The study recruited 153 active police officers and 176 cadets attending a police academy and administered a diagnostic survey, the long-form version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while in the statistical analysis the Student's t-test for independent groups was applied. Results: It was determined that police officers present high physical activity levels within the work domain, which are developed from initial training at a police academy and then throughout their police career. Conclusions: Such data are important in the light of the role police officers play in public safety as well as the prominence of physical activity within a particular profession and how it can be targeted and tailored to their needs

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

Oat–buckwheat breads – technological quality, staling and sensory properties

peer reviewedThe technological and sensory properties and the staling of breads made from oat flour (OF) and buckwheat flour (BF) were analysed. Significant differences in protein and ash content were found in the experimental breads due to significant differences in the composition of the BF and OF used. As the proportion of BF in the recipe increased, a deterioration in the technological properties of the dough and bread as well as an increase in the crumb hardness were observed. The presence of OF in the recipe increased the bread volume, significantly enhanced the lightness of the crust and crumb and improved the overall sensory quality. The OF used in the recipe decreased the starch retrogradation enthalpy value, which is strongly related to a delay in bread staling. The proposed bakery products can be attractive to consumers who are looking for new food products

The analytical possibilities of vapor hydride generation coupled with optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-OES). Part.2. Arsenic determination in aluminosilicate materials

Opracowano i wykonano badania walidacyjne procedury analitycznej oznaczania As w wybranych glinokrzemianowych warstwowych techniką optycznej spektrometrii emisyjnej sprzężonej z generacją wodorków (HG-ICP-OES). Ustalono kompromisowe warunki redukcji wstępnej gwarantujące możliwie największą wydajność reakcji tworzenia wodorków. Zastosowanie równoczesnego spektrometru emisyjnego ICP z poziomą geometrią palnika plazmowego i generacją wodorków umożliwiło znaczną poprawę oznaczalności arsenu w porównaniu do stosowanych metod konwencjonalnych, a opracowana metodyka cechuje się licznymi zaletami, z których najważniejsze to: dobra powtarzalność wyników analitycznych, wysoka czułość oraz niska granica oznaczalności.Investigations of the analytical procedure of arsenic determination in chosen layered aluminosilicates by optical emission spectrometry technique coupled with hydride generation (HG-ICP-OES) were processed and validated. Attempts to establish compromising conditions of arsenic prereduction step assured the best efficiency of hydride generation process were performed. The application of simultaneous axially configured ICP spectrometer coupled with vapor hydride generation technique in arsenic measurements made possible considerable improvement in analyte detectability in comparison to applied conventional spectrofotometric methods. The proposed methodology marked with numerous advantages, which the most important are: good repeatability, high sensitivity as well as low quantifications limits of analytical results

The analytical possibilities of vapor hydride generation coupled with optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-OES). Part 1. Theoretical basis of the process

Przedstawiono możliwości analityczne oznaczania arsenu oraz innych pierwiastków tworzących lotne wodorki w materiałach środowiskowych, z uwzględnieniem technik generowania wodorków. Na podstawie doniesień literaturowych omówiono szereg czynników decydujących o wydajności tworzenia wodorków w plazmie, takich jak: stopień utlenienia oznaczanego pierwiastka w roztworze, stężenie i rodzaj reduktora, stężenie i rodzaj użytego kwasu; rodzaj i konstrukcja generatora, wpływ składników matrycowych oraz parametrów pomiarowych spektrometru.The analytical possibilities of arsenic and other hydride forming elements determination in environmental materials involving hydride generation techniques were discussed. On the basis of some literature reviews, number of factors affecting hydride generation efficiency, such as: element oxidation state in solution, reducer type and concentration, acid type and concentration; hydride generator configuration, matrix components interferences as well as the spectrometer operating conditions were discussed