Mass spectrometric analysis of small negative ions (e/m < 100) produced by Trichel pulse negative corona discharge fed by ozonised air

Mass spectrometric analysis of small negative ions (e/m < 100) produced by DC negative corona discharge in ozonised wet air both in flow and flow-stopped regimes was conducted at pressure of 30 kPa. The point-to-plain electrode system has been used. The yield of individual ions is strongly affected by trace concentrations of ozone in both regimes. Ozone concentration greater than 25 ppm is sufficient to completely suppress the appearance of O2- and a NO2- ion as well as theirs clusters in the mass spectra. The temporal increase in concentration of NO3- ions and NO3-.(H2O)n (n = 1, 2) hydrated clusters was observed in flow-stopped regime accompanied by reduction in yield of CO3- ion and its water clusters CO3-.(H2O)n (n = 1, 2), which otherwise are the dominant ions in flowing wet air free of ozone. In contrast the addition of ozone into the flow of wet air resulted in evident increase in abundance of the clusters CO3-.(H2O)n (n = 1, 2). This is an evidence of an active role of nitrous oxide produced in flow-stopped regime in sufficient amount. The measured electrical conductivity of drift region confirmed the role of additional dissociative attachment of electrons by ozone molecules as well as a formation of clusters of lower mobility with increasing ozone concentration in the discharge gap

Regional specialised observatories networks in technological development and innovation exemplified by the Silesia Voivodship

The Regional Specialised Observatories Network is a systemic tool to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation between the key participants of the regional innovation system in order to build the competitive advantage of the region. The network responds to the region’s requirements by creating a modern tool to monitor the effects of the pro-technological development of the region in particular areas of technology, established in the Technological Development Strategy (TDS) for the Silesian Voivodship for the years 2010-2020, which is a constituent of the Regional Innovation Strategy. The observatory network will concentrate on collecting and processing specialised knowledge in the areas of technology in accord with TDS, monitoring technological and economic trends and assessment of the endogenous technological potential of the Silesian Voivodship. The network’s operation, through the link to the regional observatory as well as to national initiatives, will stimulate many forms of cooperation and contribute to the bonding of economic circles, innovators, science and research centres, the regional government and authorities responsible for drawing up and implementing development policy. The Regional Specialised Observatories Network is an open structure geared towards collecting, processing and publicising specialised knowledge, being a trustworthy source of data and information on technological areas in the region. The article presents the Network’s impact on identifying challenges and technological trends in reference to the region’s potential.Preparation and printing funded by the National Agency for Research and Development under project “Kreator Innowacyjności – wparcie dla Przedsiębiorczości akademickiej

Stereotypes about the deaf and sign language in the thinking of special needs education students

Malwina Kocoń, Magdalena Skalny, Stereotypes about the deaf and sign language in the thinking of special needs education students. Interdisciplinary Contexts of Special Pedagogy, no. 24, Poznań 2019. Pp. 109-126. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-391X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ikps.2019.24.06 The article discusses the problems of deaf people, Polish sign language as well as Signed Polish (Manually-Coded Polish) in the context of stereotypes held by first year students of special needs education. The analysis of the results of empirical research indicates which of the stereotypes concerning deaf and sign language mentioned in the study are present in the thinking of the social group covered by the research and the frequency of their occurrence. It presents and explains terminological aspects regarding stereotypes and proposes postulates to eliminate negative stereotyping.Malwina Kocoń, Magdalena Skalny, Stereotypes about the deaf and sign language in the thinking of special needs education students. Interdisciplinary Contexts of Special Pedagogy, no. 24, Poznań 2019. Pp. 109-126. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-391X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ikps.2019.24.06 The article discusses the problems of deaf people, Polish sign language as well as Signed Polish (Manually-Coded Polish) in the context of stereotypes held by first year students of special needs education. The analysis of the results of empirical research indicates which of the stereotypes concerning deaf and sign language mentioned in the study are present in the thinking of the social group covered by the research and the frequency of their occurrence. It presents and explains terminological aspects regarding stereotypes and proposes postulates to eliminate negative stereotyping

BXD recombinant inbred mice as a model to study neurotoxicity

BXD recombinant inbred (RI) lines represent a genetic reference population derived from a cross between C57BL/6J mice (B6) and DBA/2J mice (D2), which through meiotic recombination events possesses recombinant chromosomes containing B6 or D2 haplotype segments. The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) are the locations of segregating genetic polymorphisms and are fundamental to understanding genetic diversity in human disease susceptibility and severity. QTL mapping represents the typical approach for identifying naturally occurring polymorphisms that influence complex phenotypes. In this process, genotypic values at markers of known genomic locations are associated with phenotypic values measured in a segregating population. Indeed, BXD RI strains provide a powerful tool to study neurotoxicity induced by different substances. In this review, we describe the use of BXD RI lines to understand the underlying mechanisms of neurotoxicity in response to ethanol and cocaine, as well as metals and pesticide exposures. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Diseño de hormigón durable

Some of the factors affecting the durability of modern concrete structures are discussed, with an emphasis on the problems caused by modern portland cements. This is followed by a description of some concrete durability issues of current interest, such as plastic shrinkage, seawater attack, and sulfate attack. The strategies for testing for durability are also discussed. It is concluded that, to produce durable concretes, a holistic approach to concrete construction must be adopted.Se discuten algunos de los factores que influyen en la durabilidad de las estructuras de hormigón modernas, haciendo énfasis en los problemas causados por el cemento Portland. A esto sigue una descripción de algunas cuestiones de interés general de la durabilidad del hormigón tales como la retracción plástica, el ataque por agua de mar y el ataque por sulfatos. Se discuten también las estrategias de los ensayos de durabilidad. Se concluye que para producir hormigones durables se debe adoptar un enfoque holístico de la construcción con hormigón

The aging kidney—as influenced by heavy metal exposure and selenium supplementation

The aging process in the kidneys has been well studied. It is known that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines with age in subjects older than 50–60 years. However, there is still insufficient knowledge regarding the response of the aged kidney to environmental toxicants such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Here, we present a review on the functional decline and proposed mechanisms in the aging kidney as influenced by metal pollutants. Due to the prevalence of these toxicants in the environment, human exposure is nearly unavoidable. Further, it is well known that acute and chronic exposures to toxic metals may be detrimental to kidneys of normal adults, thus it may be hypothesized that exposure of individuals with reduced GFR will result in additional reductions in renal function. Individuals with compromised renal function, either from aging or from a combination of aging and disease, may be particularly susceptible to environmental toxicants. The available data appear to show an association between exposure to mercury, cadmium and/or lead and an increase in incidence and severity of renal disease in elderly individuals. Furthermore, some physiological thiols, as well as adequate selenium status, appear to exert a protective action. Further studies providing improved insight into the mechanisms by which nephrotoxic metals are handled by aging kidneys, as well as possibilities of therapeutic protection, are of utmost importance

Corona discharge experiments in admixtures of N2 and CH4: a laboratory simulation of Titan's atmosphere

A positive corona discharge fed by a N2:CH4 mixture (98:2) at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature has been studied as a laboratory mimic of the chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. In-situ measurements of UV and IR transmission spectra within the discharge have shown that the main chemical product is C2H2, produced by dissociation of CH4, with small but significant traces of ethane and HCN, all species that have been detected in Titan's atmosphere. A small amount (0.2 %) CH4 was decomposed after 12 minutes of treatment requiring an average energy of 2.7 kWh/g. After 14 minutes the discharge was terminated due to the formation of a solid yellow deposit on the central wire electrode. Such a deposit is similar to that observed in other discharges and is believed to be an analogue of the aerosol and dust observed in Titan's atmosphere and is composed of chemcial species commonly knonw as 'tholins'. We have also explored the electrical properties of the discharge. The admixture of methane into nitrogen caused an increase in onset voltage of the discharge and consequently led to a reduction in the measured discharge current