Hazards and their reduction in urea production for synthesis reactor by Mitsui - Toatsu technology

Industrial large-scale urea production creates a number of hazards due to equipment and machine failures as well as service errors. Failures can cause material, environmental and human losses. The work presents the assessment of safety hazards and failure effects for selected emergency scenarios of Mitsui - Toatsu's urea synthesis reactor. A fragment of the process implemented in the synthesis node was covered by HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study), and the critical points, from the security point of view, were identified. Several emergency scenarios for various types of failures and various effects are presented. The analyzed contingency scenarios include: blocking the valve on the outflow from the reactor and leaks caused by corrosion resulting from the maintenance of improper technological parameters of the process. The work suggested the need for new security measures and modernization of the installation by using the safety function for the selected critical point. The hazards analyzed and the contingency scenarios developed are essential for risk assessment and its possible reduction

Immune-cell BDNF expression in treatment-naïve relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and following one year of immunomodulation therapy

Although neurons are the main source of neurotrophins in the healthy brain, neurotrophins can also be expressed in the immune system. We have previously shown that in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) lower immune-cell neurotrophin levels are associated with brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to assess if immune-cell neurotrophin expression is impaired in MS as compared with the healthy controls, and to describe if these levels change in treatment-naïve RRMS patients, following one year of immunomodulation. Fifty treatment-naïve RRMS patients were assessed at baseline and after one year of immunomodulation (beta-interferons/glatiramer acetate). The control group included 39 healthy subjects matched according to age and gender. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from heparinized blood using Ficoll-Histopaque gradient. The levels of brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF), beta-nerve-growth-factor (beta-NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5) were measured in PBMC lysates with ELISA. BDNF levels were significantly lower in MS than in the healthy controls (median 613 vs. 1657pg/mg protein, p<0.001). After one year of immunomodulation, BDNF expression did not change significantly (p=0.06) on the group level. In 70% of patients there was no increase in BDNF level, and in 30% it increased. We observed no differences between treatment groups. Other neurotrophins were detected in a minority of MS samples (as opposed to the controls). To conclude, we have shown that immune-cell production of neurotrophins is impaired in MS patients. In our MS cohort standard immunomodulation failed to restore normal BDNF levels in PBMCs within one year of therapy

Different blood-brain-barrier disruption profiles in multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Aim of the study. To assess differences in BBB damage profiles by measuring serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (sPECAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOsd), and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) patients.Clinical rationale for the study. Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption is one of the key pathological processes involved in various demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and is associated with shedding of cell adhesion molecules and S100B into the serum compartment. Therefore, making an assessment of serum levels of the above-mentioned molecules could provide information about disease pathogenesis, severity of BBB disruption, and disease activity.Material and methods. We recruited 42 RRMS, 19 NMOsd and 35 NPSLE patients. Subjects were treated with beta-interferons or glatiramer acetate (RRMS), oral steroids and/or azathioprine (NMOsd, NPSLE), other immunosuppressants (NPSLE), or antimalarials (NPSLE). The clinical condition of the patients was assessed using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale for MS and NMOsd, and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index for NPSLE. Serum levels of sVCAM-1, sPECAM-1, sICAM-1 and S100B were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. We found the lowest levels of sPECAM-1, sICAM-1 and S100B in sera from NMOsd patients. The highest levels of sPECAM-1 and sICAM-1 were observed in NPSLE, and in NPSLE and MS, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in sVCAM-1 levels between the examined groups. In MS and NMOsd, there was a negative correlation between the EDSS score and the following molecules: sPECAM-1, sICAM-1 and S100B.Conclusions and clinical implications. We conclude that there is a different profile of blood-brain-barrier disruption reflected by cell adhesion molecules shedding in the spectrum of autoimmune CNS disorders with disseminated white matter lesions. These molecules could become new biomarkers to be used in CNS demyelinating diseases differential diagnoses and monitoring disease activity, but further studies on larger groups of patients are necessary

Impact of marathon performance on muscles stiffness in runners over 50 years old

IntroductionThe research examines the relationship between marathon performance and muscle stiffness changes from pre to marathon in recreational runners aged 50+ years.MethodsThirty-one male long-distance runners aged 50–73 years participated in the experiment. The muscle stiffness of quadriceps and calves was measured in two independent sessions: the day before the marathon and 30 min after the completed marathon run using a Myoton device.Results and DiscussionThe 42.195-km run was completed in 4.30,05 h ± 35.12 min, which indicates an intensity of 79.3% ± 7.1% of HRmax. The long-term, low-intensity running exercise (marathon) in older recreational runners and the low level of HRmax and VO2max showed no statistically significant changes in muscle stiffness (quadriceps and calves). There was reduced muscle stiffness (p = 0.016), but only in the triceps of the calf in the dominant (left) leg. Moreover, to optimally evaluate the marathon and adequately prepare for the performance training program, we need to consider the direct and indirect analyses of the running economy, running technique, and HRmax and VO2max variables. These variables significantly affect marathon exercise

Human subcortical brain asymmetries in 15,847 people worldwide reveal effects of age and sex

The two hemispheres of the human brain differ functionally and structurally. Despite over a century of research, the extent to which brain asymmetry is influenced by sex, handedness, age, and genetic factors is still controversial. Here we present the largest ever analysis of subcortical brain asymmetries, in a harmonized multi-site study using meta-analysis methods. Volumetric asymmetry of seven subcortical structures was assessed in 15,847 MRI scans from 52 datasets worldwide. There were sex differences in the asymmetry of the globus pallidus and putamen. Heritability estimates, derived from 1170 subjects belonging to 71 extended pedigrees, revealed that additive genetic factors influenced the asymmetry of these two structures and that of the hippocampus and thalamus. Handedness had no detectable effect on subcortical asymmetries, even in this unprecedented sample size, but the asymmetry of the putamen varied with age. Genetic drivers of asymmetry in the hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia may affect variability in human cognition, including susceptibility to psychiatric disorders

Profile of tourists visiting Bieszczady National Park

Niniejsza praca ,,Profil turysty w Bieszczadzkim Parku Narodowym" podejmuje temat turystów odwiedzających Bieszczady, ich cech oraz upodobań. Celem pracy było zbadanie, jaki typ turysty przyjeżdża w te góry najczęściej oraz poznanie opinii turystów na temat Bieszczadzkiego Parku Narodowego. W pracy omówiono również walory turystyczne Bieszczadzkiego Parku Narodowego oraz jego otuliny, a także występujące w Bieszczadach formy ochrony przyrody. Metodą badawczą zastosowaną na potrzeby pracy była ankieta o pytaniach zarówno zamkniętych jak i otwartych, dzięki czemu udało się uzyskać wiele wyczerpujących i różnorodnych odpowiedzi.This work, "Profile of toourists in the Bieszczady National Park" deals with the topic of tourists visiting the Bieszczady Mountains, their characteristics and preferences. The aim of this study was to investigate what type of tourists come to these mountains most often and to find out what tourists think about the Bieszczady National Park. The study also discusses the touristic values ​​of the Bieszczady National Park and its buffer zones, as well as the forms of nature protection occurring in the Bieszczady Mountains. The research method used for the work was a questionnaire with both closed and open questions, thanks to which it was possible to obtain many comprehensive and diverse answers

Production of phosphorus biofertilizer based on the renewable materials in large laboratory scale

This paper discusses the effect of the utilization of Bacillus megaterium in the microbial solubilization process where poultry bones or ash were used as a source of renewable phosphorus. The process was performed in a large scale laboratory. The pH of the solution decreased during one-week solubilization, which had a direct influence on the increased concentration of phosphorus determined in the solution. It was proved that the phosphorus concentration in the solution was significantly correlated with the biomass concentration and pH. The trial allowed verification of the suitability of the method to prepare two P fertilizers: one based on poultry bones and one on ashes. The elemental analysis of their composition suggests that the bones are a P-bearing resource with properties better than ash. That enables for more efficient scaling-up the solubilization although the concentration of total phosphorus was comparable in both cases. The total amount (100%) of phosphorus was present in a form available to plants in the formulation based on the poultry bones, while 64% of plant available phosphorus was present in the formulation based on the ash. The concentration of Cd was significantly lower in the case of fertilizer based on bones with respect to ash

Postrzeganie Internetu Rzeczy w zastosowaniach konsumenckich w kontekście różnic międzypokoleniowych

Celem artykułu była próba ustalenia, jak przedstawiciele różnych pokoleń postrzegają Internet Rzeczy (IoT) w zastosowaniach konsumenckich oraz czy pomimo wzrostu popularności aplikacji IoT różnice międzypokoleniowe w zakresie percepcji technologii i urządzeń Internetu Rzeczy są istotne. Międzypokoleniową analizę komparatywną przeprowadzono na podstawie własnego badania, zrealizowanego za pomocą ankiety internetowej (CAWI), na próbie 241 respondentów. W świetle uzyskanych wyników nie potwierdzono hipotezy zakładającej, iż przedstawiciele poszczególnych generacji różnią się istotnie w zakresie postrzegania użyteczności urządzeń Internetu Rzeczy w zastosowaniach konsumenckich. Nie potwierdzono także wpływu wieku jako zmiennej różnicującej postrzeganie możliwości zastosowania Internetu Rzeczy w różnych sektorach gospodarki

Wpływ stopnia rozdrobnienia słodu na pH i zawartość ekstraktu w brzeczce piwnej

In recent years, a dynamic development of brewing has been observed. Increasingly, production of malt and beer takes place even in smaller industrial factories, breweries restaurants or at home. Extraction is a process applied in a variety of industries, including food production, as a way of extracting specific ingredients from their mixtures. As a result of this process, not only sugars, proteins, fats, enzymes, vitamins, colorants, fragrances and flavors, but also malt and hop extracts are being isolated. In the process of mashing, in which the malt ingredients are being extracted, many biochemical, physical and chemical changes take place. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of the degree of fragmentation of pilsner type malt on the amount of extract obtained and the pH of the mash. It has been observed that the degree of malt fragmentation has a significant effect on the content of the extract in the mash: the more fragmented malt, the more malt extract in mash produced using the malt. It has also been found that the pH of the mash increases with the average particle size of malt.W ostatnich latach obserwowany jest dynamiczny rozwój browarnictwa. Coraz częściej produkcja słodu i piwa ma miejsce nawet w mniejszych zakładach przemysłowych, restauracji browarniczej lub w domu. Ekstrakcja jest procesem wykorzystywanym w różnych gałęziach przemysłu, w tym w produkcji żywności, jako sposób wyodrębniania określonych składników z ich mieszanin. Wskutek tego procesu wydzielane są nie tylko cukry, białka, tłuszcze, enzymy, witaminy, substancje barwiące, zapachowe i smakowe, ale również izolowane są ekstrakty słodowe i chmielowe. W procesie zacierania, w którym następuje ekstrakcja składników słodu dochodzi do wielu przemian biochemicznych, fizycznych i chemicznych. Celem badań była analiza wpływu stopnia rozdrobnienia słodu typu pilzneńskiego na ilość otrzymanego ekstraktu oraz pH zacieru. Zaobserwowano, że stopień rozdrobnienia słodu istotnie wpływa na zawartość ekstraktu: im bardziej rozdrobniony słód, tym więcej ekstraktu w wytworzonych z niego zacierach. Stwierdzono również, że wartość pH zacieru zwiększa się wraz ze wzrostem średniego wymiaru cząstek słodu