Comparison of the functional properties of selected multilayer systems

Electrodeposition of multilayers continues to grow and diversify. Research is still underway on the adaptation of multilayer systems to new applications in various industries. Cu/Ni multilayers are still very commonly used for practical purposes. In this work, the functional properties of selected multilayer systems with different layers quantity and thicknesses in nanoscale were investigated. The Cu and Ni layers were electrolytically deposited on a low carbon steel substrate and obtained systems were subjected to structural and anticorrosion properties study. The electrochemical parameters were determined by potentiodynamic method and the surface evaluation of the systems after corrosion tests was also carried out

Antibody response to Haemophilus influenzae type-b conjugate vaccine in children and young adults with congenital asplenia or after undergoing splenectomy

Absence of the spleen constitutes a risk of infection caused by encapsulated bacteria. The aim of our study was to determine the immune response to Haemophilus influenzae type-b (Hib) conjugate vaccine (HibCV) in asplenic individuals, considering the cause of asplenia, the age when splenectomy was carried out, and previous Hib vaccinations. Twenty asplenic patients, aged five to 25 years, were immunized with a single dose of HibCV. The specific antibody concentrations against HibCV were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before vaccinations, the geometric mean antibody concentration (GMC) had an average value of 3.21 μg/ml and was comparable for all of the patients, regardless of the causes of asplenia. After vaccinations, the GMC was significantly higher, with an average of 6.78 μg/ml. Further, 4.5 years after vaccinations, the GMC was comparable to that of previously unvaccinated children. Moreover, 17/20 patients had GMC ≥ 1.0 μg/ml, which included all of the children with congenital asplenia, children splenectomized before the age of six years, and only 57% of children splenectomized after that age. HibCV gives asplenic patients long-term protection. Hence, HibCV should be administered regardless of previous vaccinations and time from splenectomy, even if antibody evaluation is not available

Methods for integrated Failure Risk Analysis of Water Network in terms of Water Supply System Functioning Management

In the paper the issues connected with failure risk analysis related to the functioning of this system were presented. In the analysis of water supply system it is important to assess the safety of its operation, both from the producer and the consumer point of view. The paper presents the method of analysis of consumers acceptance of water costs that companies bear for the risk reduction. The proposed method can be the basis of comprehensive program of risk failure management and in decision-making on water supply operation

Analysis and assessment methods of water network failure in terms of belonging to critical infrastructure

In paper issues connected with safety and operation of the water supply system were presented. The study paid special attention to the safety aspect of water consumers in terms of belonging to critical infrastructure. In the paper the consumer risk of the first type associated with the lack or interruptions in water supply was defined, as well as the consumer risk of the second type associated with the consumption of water with incompatible quality with the regulation. The subject of risk assessment refers to the current trends in the world, which are intended to ensure the safety and comfort use of public water supplies

Failure risk analysis in the collective water supply systems in crisis situations

Risk is a basic category to estimate water supply system safety. The first step in risk assessment is to identify the threats and their possible consequences. One of methods for risk assessment is the method using the socalled risk graphs. It relies on the preliminary analysis of such risk factors as: the frequency of threat occurrence – F, the duration of the risk exposure – E, the size of the possible consequences – C and a degree of protection – O, that is inversely proportional to the mentioned measures of risk. The route along the branches of the risk graph should be started from the determination of the initiating/peak event which is the undesirable event (e.g. secondary water contamination in water-pipe network). The expanded risk graph presented in the work differs from the standard (commonly used) graph because it takes into consideration all combinations of the particular risk factors

Safety of water supply in crisis conditions

The paper presents the concept of safety in water distribution systems, which is an important issue connected with its functioning in crisis situations. The research undertaken is directed towards methods of safety assessment relating closely to current world trends, aiming to ensure safety of water supply and use. The paper pays special attention to water consumer safety. Safety levels were assumed on the basis of failure intensity, exposure of water consumers and a number of undesirable event groups. Individual values of the immediate risk index were presented and three categories were distinguished as permissible, tolerable, or unacceptable risk categories, according to presumed action. The risk index can characterize the safety of the functioning of technical systems. The risk index definition is considered as the product of threat ranking. The paper contains the original proposal for a new method of risk analysis and assessment