The Importance of TDA Thermal Analysis in an Automated Metallurgical Process

The article presents the results of research and work related to the implementation of the research and development project POIR.01.01.01-00-0120/17 co-financed by the EU, through the NCBR, entitled: Innovative technology using thermal analysis, TDA, of self-feeding manufacturing of high-quality cast iron to produce new generation, enhanced performance casts. In many foundries, thermal derivative analysis (TDA) is used in addition to chemical analysis to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of an alloy while it is still in the melting furnace or ladle and before it is poured into the mold. This fact makes it possible to improve the metallurgical quality of the alloy by introducing alloying additives, carburizers or modifiers into the furnace as part of the pre-modification or primary or secondary modification in the ladle or when pouring into molds. Foundry machinery (modifier dosing systems and spheroidizing station) is very important in these operations. Only the full synergy of modern equipment with modern technology ensures high quality and repeatability of the casting process. The article mainly discusses the obtained parameters of TDA analysis (with the use of the ITACA system) at different stages of melting and how to improve them by using modern and fully automated dosing systems (Itaca OptiDose, ItacaWire and ItacaStream). Special attention was paid to the minimum temperature of the eutectoid. The change of its value after the modification process, its influence on the quality of the melted metal, a very strong correlation with the number of nuclei and the number of graphite precipitations in the casts were shown

Determination of the Preload of Bolts for Structural Health Monitoring of a Multi-Bolted Joint: FEM Approach

The reliability and safety of bolted joints is one of the crucial engineering problems during design of mechanical structures. In this paper, finite element method was used to investigate an asymmetrical, seven-bolted joint. The modelling takes into account the phenomenon of friction and the mechanics of contact between the joined elements. The bolts were preloaded using two different approaches: single and multi-pass. The damage of a bolt was simulated by its removal from the model. The conducted research showed influence of the number of preloading passes and its order on the forces acting in bolts both before and after damage. The obtained results were validated by experimental tests and presented as force diagrams for all investigated cases

Determination of the Preload of Bolts for Structural Health Monitoring of a Multi-Bolted Joint: FEM Approach

The reliability and safety of bolted joints is one of the crucial engineering problems during design of mechanical structures. In this paper, finite element method was used to investigate an asymmetrical, seven-bolted joint. The modelling takes into account the phenomenon of friction and the mechanics of contact between the joined elements. The bolts were preloaded using two different approaches: single and multi-pass. The damage of a bolt was simulated by its removal from the model. The conducted research showed influence of the number of preloading passes and its order on the forces acting in bolts both before and after damage. The obtained results were validated by experimental tests and presented as force diagrams for all investigated cases

ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE BIOLOGICAL AGENT USE IN ECOLOGICAL POTATO PRODUCTION – SYSTEM DYNAMICS SIMULATION

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the economic viability by calculating the potential profits and expenses for farmers, and to simulate the impact of the application of a microbiological agent on the potato plant in a field trial. The field experiment aimed to identify the role of the biological agent while substituting the synthetic plant fertilization and protection. Methodology: The system dynamics method was applied to the data provided from one planting season of field experiments conducted in the framework of the PotatoMETABiome project. From eleven tested varieties on six different scenario plots, the most economically viable variety – Pasja Pomorska – was tested. The comparative approach was applied to show the results of inoculating potato plants with biological agents and using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Results: The results show that the application of biocontrol agents increases the quality and quantity of the potato yield compared to a variant in which no synthetic agents are used. These are, however, higher while applying the latter. It can therefore be argued that the microbiological agent could support ecological potato production, yet it does not reach the economic break-even point yet. Conclusions: Bearing in mind the limitations resulting from the experimental nature of field research, the level of economic profitability of innovative biological preparations and the importance of their use in agriculture have been demonstrated

3D Domain Swapping Dimerization of the Receiver Domain of Cytokinin Receptor CRE1 From Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula

Cytokinins are phytohormones regulating many biological processes that are vital to plants. CYTOKININ RESPONSE1 (CRE1), the main cytokinin receptor, has a modular architecture composed of a cytokinin-binding CHASE (Cyclases/Histidine kinases Associated Sensory Extracellular) domain, followed by a transmembrane fragment, an intracellular histidine kinase (HK) domain, and a receiver domain (REC). Perception of cytokinin signaling involves (i) a hormone molecule binding to the CHASE domain, (ii) CRE1 autophosphorylation at a conserved His residue in the HK domain, followed by a phosphorelay to (iii) a conserved Asp residue in the REC domain, (iv) a histidine-containing phosphotransfer protein (HPt), and (v) a response regulator (RR). This work focuses on the crystal structures of the REC domain of CRE1 from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and from the model legume Medicago truncatula. Both REC domains form tight 3D-domain-swapped dimers. Dimerization of the REC domain agrees with the quaternary assembly of the entire CRE1 but is incompatible with a model of its complex with HPt, suggesting that a considerable conformational change should occur to enable the signal transduction. Indeed, phosphorylation of the REC domain can change the HPt-binding properties of CRE1, as shown by functional studies

New aspects of DNA recognition by group II WRKY transcription factor revealed by structural and functional study of AtWRKY18 DNA binding domain

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) constitute one of the largest families of plant TFs. Based on the organization of domains and motifs, WRKY TFs are divided into three Groups (I-III). The WRKY subgroup IIa includes three representatives in A. thaliana, AtWRKY18, AtWRKY40, and AtWRKY60, that participate in biotic and abiotic stress responses. Here we present crystal structures of the DNA binding domain (DBD) of AtWRKY18 alone and in the complex with a DNA duplex containing the WRKY-recognition sequence, W-box. Subgroup IIa WRKY TFs are known to form homo and heterodimers. Our data suggest that the dimerization interface of the full-length AtWRKY18 involves contacts between the DBD subunits. DNA binding experiments and structural analysis point out novel aspects of DNA recognition by WRKY TFs. In particular, AtWRKY18-DBD preferentially binds an overlapping tandem of W-boxes accompanied by a quasi-W-box motif. The binding of DNA deforms the B-type double helix, which suggests that the DNA fragment must be prone to form a specific structure. This can explain why despite the short W-box consensus, WRKY TFs can precisely control gene expression. Finally, this first experimental structure of a Group II WRKY TF allowed us to compare Group I-III representatives

Differentiation of Profitability of Traditional and Innovative Potatoes Cultivation in Poland

The aim of the research was to determine the costs and profitability of traditional and innovative potatoes cultivation in Poland. The experimental field trials of selected potato varieties in various variants were carried out between 2021 and 2022. The applied variants of experiments included potatoes cultivation according to traditional and innovative methods, i.e. in commercial conditions (high intensity of inputs and costs, including fertilization with mineral fertilizers and synthetic plant protection products) and in the absence of fertilization and plant protection, or only with the use of interaction with beneficial microorganisms. For economic calculations, there were applied methods of profitability of potatoes production for the evaluation of various production variants, calculation of production costs and assessment of production profit. The research material consisted of the results of field experiments carried out as part of the international PotatoMETAbiome project for 11 potato varieties and six variants of the experiment in fields located in the north of Poland. Based on the research, it was found that the average potatoes production costs in 2021 and 2022 decreased for traditional variants and increased for innovative variants. In 2021, the lowest production costs were for the variant without fertilization and plant protection products and innovative variants. In turn, in 2022, the lowest production costs were for traditional variants, i.e., with fertilization and protection, and without fertilization with protection, as well as with fertilization and without chemical protection, and without fertilization and without chemical protection. In all years under consideration and for all variants, potatoes cultivation was profitable. The potatoes production profitability ratios during the years under analysis decreased for innovative variants, while they increased for variants with intensive production. It was found that an innovative strategy of potatoes production with the use of beneficial microorganisms may be an economically justified alternative to changing production, market, and political conditions

Economic and Environmental Effects of Innovative Potato Cultivation with the Use of Beneficial Microorganisms in Poland

Agricultural production is the main area of human activity that affects both food security and well-being, as well as the environment, in which people live. The modern economy tries to combine economic and environmental goals, because uncontrolled intensive production growth can lead to irreversible changes in the environment. This paper addresses the issue of evaluating one of the methods in search of the golden mean of sustainable agricultural production, on the example of the potato-microbiome interaction leading to the development of an innovative strategy of potato breeding and production. The aim was to apprise the economic and environmental effects of innovative potato cultivation with the use of beneficial microorganisms in Poland based on the field data. The data for the analyses were obtained from experimental field work carried out in 2021–2022 under the PotatoMetaBiome project. The analysis of the collected data allowed us to conclude that from the economic point of view, the most profitable was the strategy that included the use of practices based on synthetic means of production (with mineral fertilizers and chemical protection). On the other hand, the use of innovative preparations with beneficial microorganisms slightly increased the profitability in relation to the strategy without means of production and with the use of synthetic means of production. At the same time, it had the least negative impact on the environment than other agricultural practices. The obtained results indicate that the use of beneficial microorganisms may be a viable alternative agricultural strategy in potato production. It allows farmers to obtain satisfactory economic results while maintaining the environmental regime. Their use, however, requires further research in terms of the impact on the economics and organisation of agricultural production

Association between genetic mutations and the development of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alpha

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Considerable progress was made by the introduction of interferon to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This treatment, however, is associated with the risk of developing or exacerbating autoimmune diseases, with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis being one of them. The aim of our study was to evaluate the predisposition to autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus during IFN-alpha therapy, depending on the presence of polymorphisms in the promoter region of CTLA-4C (−318)T gene and in exon 1 of A49G gene as well as C1858T transition of PTPN22 gene.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted in 149 patients aged between 18 and 70 years (mean of 43.9 years), including 82 men and 67 women. Control group for the assessment of the distribution of analyzed polymorphism of genotypes consisted of 200 neonates, from whom umbilical blood was drawn for the tests. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 consisted of 114 patients without thyroid impairment before and during IFN-alpha therapy, group 2 contained 9 patients with AT with the onset prior to IFN-alpha treatment, and group 3 comprised 26 patients with AT starting after the beginning of IFN-alpha therapy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of C1858Tand C(−318)T genotypes observed in the study group did not differ significantly from control group. A significant difference, however, was found for A49G polymorphism.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No association was demonstrated between the occurrence of autoimmune thyroiditis with the onset during IFN-alpha therapy and the presence of polymorphisms within CTLA-4 C(−318)T gene in the promoter region and A49G in exon 1, as well as C1858T transition of PTPN22 gene.</p