Influence of heat treatment on changes on structure and magnetic properties of CoSiB alloy

Purpose: This paper describes influence of heat treatment on changes on structure and magnetic properties of the amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy. Design/methodology/approach: The following experimental techniques were used: X-ray diffraction (XRD), static and dynamic measurements of magnetic properties (magnetic balance, fluxmeter, Maxwell-Wien bridge). Findings: The crystallization process involved by heat treatment leads to significant changes of structure and magnetic properties of amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy. Research limitations/implications: Practical implications: The attractive properties of Co-Si-B alloy are of special interest for basic research on the materials as well as for their potential applications, like magnetic sensors. According to the results presented in this paper the examined Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy as a soft magnetic material may be used in noise filters, saturable reactors, miniature inductance elements for abating spike noise, zero-phase current transformers, and magnetic heads etc., i.e. devices which are expected to exhibit high levels of permeability at high frequencies. Originality/value: It has been shown that thermal annealing at temperature close to the crystallization temperature leads to a significant increase of the initial magnetic permeability

Informatics tools using estimation during pilot training

The human interest in flight simulators and tools that facilitate the effective formation of piloting skills has more than half a century of tradition. Marked growth development of these tools happened after the implementation of digital techniques into the structure of simulators and after the obtainment of independent computer applications the enabling the operator's predispositions and performance level to be controlled and estimated. The questions that are posed in this area of such specific tools have been very often oriented towards the possibility and reasonableness of replacing real training flights with a simulation technique. Working on the problem of improving the level of safety in civil aviation, the authors conducted tests to determine the possibility of formalizing the principles of admittance for computers tools that are identified as OTD (Other Training Device) followed from JAR –STD 3A.005 (f) regulations. One of the aims of the experiments was to confirm the usefulness of the statistical methods that had been used to identify the pilot's skill level estimated for short series of flights. RUT Aviation Training Centre students, whose individual predispositions as operators and performance levels had been estimated using the WOMBAT – CS TOOL, took part in experiments based on elements of flight normalized in JAR – FCL 1.210. In this paper, the authors present and discuss the assumptions, accomplishments, and results of that experiment. First published online: 14 Oct 201

Structure and magnetic properties of the amorphous Co80Si9B11 alloy

Purpose: The main aim of the paper was to study the influence of heat treatment on changes of structure and magnetic properties of the amorphous Co80Si9B11 alloy.Design/methodology/approach: The following experimental techniques were used: X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical resistivity in situ measurements (four-point probe), static and dynamic measurements of magnetic properties (magnetic balance, fluxmeter, Maxwell-Wien bridge).Findings: The crystallization process involved by heat treatment leads to significant changes of phase composition and magnetic properties of amorphous Co80Si9B11 alloy. The activation energy of this process was determined by Kissinger method, which yields Ec=3.0±0.2 eV.Practical implications: According to the results presented in the present paper the examined Co80Si9B11 alloy as a soft ferromagnetic material with high permeability may be utilized in construction of more inductive components and is of great technological interest

Crystallization kinetics of an amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy

Purpose: This paper describes crystallization kinetics and changes magnetic properties involved by process of crystallization Co-Si-B amorphous alloy. Design/methodology/approach: The following experimental techniques were used: X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical resistivity in situ measurements (four-point probe) static and dynamic measurements of magnetic properties (magnetic balance, fluxmeter, Maxwell-Wien bridge). Findings: In this work has been performed influence of thermal annealing on crystallization kinetics and magnetic properties amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy. Practical implications: The attractive properties of Co-Si-B alloy are of special interest for basic research on the materials as well as for their potential applications, like magnetic sensors. The Co soft magnetic material is used in noise filters, saturable reactors, miniature inductance elements for abating spike noise, mains transformers, choke coils, zero-phase current transformers, and magnetic heads etc., i.e., devices which are expected to exhibit high levels of permeability at high frequencies. Originality/value: It has been shown that thermal annealing at temperature close to the crystallization temperature leads to a significant increase of the initial magnetic permeability

Investigations of crystallization behaviour of Co80Si9B11 amorphous alloy

Purpose: This paper describes crystallization kinetics and changes of magnetic properties involved by process of crystallization of the amorphous Co80Si9B11 alloy. Design/methodology/approach: The following experimental techniques were used: X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical resistivity in situ measurements (four-point probe), static and dynamic measurements of magnetic properties (magnetic balance, fluxmeter, Maxwell-Wien bridge). Findings: In this work has been performed influence of thermal annealing on crystallization kinetics and magnetic properties amorphous Co80Si9B11 alloy. Practical implications: The attractive properties of Co-Si-B alloy are of special interest for basic research on the materials as well as for their potential applications, like magnetic sensors. The Co soft magnetic material is used in noise filters, saturable reactors, miniature inductance elements for abating spike noise, mains transformers, choke coils, zero-phase current transformers, and magnetic heads etc., i.e., devices which are expected to exhibit high levels of permeability at high frequencies. Originality/value: It has been shown that thermal annealing at temperature close to the crystallization temperature leads to a significant increase of the initial magnetic permeability. The maximum permeability for examined alloy in as quenched state is about 11300

Crystallization of amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy

Purpose: The investigation results of crystallization of amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy in tape form, obtained by melt spinning method during annealing in temperature range 373-873 K with step of 50 K in time 1 h, have been presented in the paper. Design/methodology/approach: The following experimental techniques were used: X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical resistivity in situ measurements (four-point probe) static and dynamic measurements of magnetic properties (magnetic balance, fluxmeter, Maxwell-Wien bridge). Findings: The changes of magnetic properties connected with the structure changes involved by crystallization process have been investigated of amorphous Co77Si11.5B11.5 alloy. Practical implications: Amorphous magnetic materials have been around for some time and their applications can be found in many types of industrial products. They include transformers, motors, and a wide variety of magnetic components in sensors, power electronics, electrical energy control/management systems, telecommunication equipment and pulse power devices. Originality/value: It has been stated that heat treatment leads to crystallization leads to a significant increase of the initial magnetic permeability

Comparative "in vitro" studies of furazidin and nitrofurantoin activities against common uropathogens including multidrug-resistant strains of "E. coli" and "S. aureus"

Urinary tract infections caused by wide range of pathogens including gram-negative andgram-positive bacteria as well as fungi are a severe public health problem. The predominant causative agent of both uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections is Escherichia coli. In an era of increasing bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents and a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains in communityandhospital-acquired infections, the re-evaluation of older generations of antimicrobial agents, such as nitrofuran derivatives, seems to be a reasonable approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate furazidin activity against common uropathogens in comparison to nitrofurantoin and other selected antimicrobial agents, routinely used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Furazidin exhibited lower MICs than nitrofurantoin when tested against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria including clinical MDR E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The MICs for furazidin ranged from 4 to 64 mg/L forEnterobacteriaceae strains, from 2 to 4 mg/L for gram-positive cocci, and 0.5 mg/L for anaerobic bacteria. The MICs for nitrofurantoin ranged from 16 to 64 mg/L for Enterobacteriaceae strains, from 8 to 64 mg/L for gram positive cocci, and 4 mg/L for anaerobic bacteria. In addition, both nitrofurans displayed better activity against the tested bacterial strains than ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole. Nitrofuran derivatives displayed higher antimicrobial activity than other antimicrobial agents regardless of bacteria species or resistance mechanism

Satisfaction and discontent of Polish patients with biological therapy of rheumatic diseases : results of a multi-center questionnaire study

Objectives: Biologics are medications widely applied in the management of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The drugs were found to be effective but their application is associated with some disadvantages. Medication with biologics is relatively expensive, and in Poland, it is carried out in specialized centers. The study was designed to evaluate various aspects of satisfaction and dissatisfaction of Polish patients treated with biologics. Material and methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed in 23 Polish rheumatological centers involved in the treatment; 1212 returned questionnaires were used for analysis. Responses were received from 606 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 427 with ankylosing spondylitis, 117 psoriatic arthritis, and 62 adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (in whom administration of the drugs had been introduced before they were 18 years old). The investigated group constituted about one-fifth of all rheumatic patients on biologics in Poland. Results: A beneficial or very beneficial influence of the medication on the state of physical health was found mostly in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (51.3 and 30.5%) and ankylosing spondylitis (51.0 and 36.8%). Family life was improved by the treatment especially in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (40.7 and 35.6% beneficial and very beneficial, respectively), sleep quality and sexual life mostly in those with ankylosing spondylitis (beneficial/very beneficial influence 41.5/38.4, and 38.7/23.9, respectively). There was a rather small influence of biological treatment on the financial situation of the patients. In general, satisfaction with the treatment was evaluated as positive or very positive in 88% of all investigated patients. In a significant part of the patients, transportation to the medical center was considered as a disadvantage of the treatment. About one-third of the patients considered laboratory and imaging tests to be done before initiation of the medication as a difficulty, and for about 40% waiting time for qualification for the medication was a significant disadvantage. The route of drug administration was without importance for 4/5 of the patients. Conclusions: Summing up, the results were similar in the patients suffering from various diseases although those with psoriatic arthritis felt the highest satisfaction (possibly due to the positive aesthetic effect), and those with ankylosing spondylitis had significant improvement in sexual life (probably due to younger age). Relatively low satisfaction was found in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. There was a small influence of medication on financial status of the patients. Application of biologics has few disadvantages and most of them are associated with the organization of health services (waiting time for the tests, transportation to the medical centers)