Methodology of Testing Shot Blasting Machines in Industrial Conditions

Shot blasting machines are widely used for automated surface treatment and finishing of castings. In shot blasting processes the stream of shots is generated and shaped by blasting turbines, making up a kinetic and dynamic system comprising a separating rotor, an adapting sleeve and a propelling rotor provided with blades. The shot blasting performance- i.e. the quality of shot treated surfaces depends on the actual design and operational parameters of the unit whilst the values of relevant parameters are associated with the geometry of turbine components and the level of its integration with the separator system. The circulation of the blasting medium becomes the integrating factor of the process line, starting from the hopper, through the propeller turbine, casting treatment, separation of contaminated abrasive mixture, to its recycling and reuse.Inferior quality of the abrasive agent (shot) and insufficient purity of the abrasive mixture are responsible for low effectiveness of shot blasting. However, most practitioners fail to fully recognise the importance of proper diagnostics of the shot blasting process in industrial conditions. The wearing of major machine components and of the blasting agent and quality of shot treated surfaces are often misinterpreted, hence the need to take into account all factors involved in the process within the frame of a comprehensive methodology.This paper is an attempt to formulate and apply the available testing methods to the engineering practice in industrial conditions

Immunohistochemical and Proteomic Evaluation of Nuclear Ubiquitous Casein and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases Substrate in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast

Nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinases substrate (NUCKS) is 27 kDa chromosomal protein of unknown function. Its amino acid composition as well as structure of its DNA binding domain resembles that of high-mobility group A, HMGA proteins. HMGA proteins are associated with various malignancies. Since changes in expression of HMGA are considered as marker of tumor progression, it is possible that similar changes in expression of NUCKS could be useful tool in diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. For identification and analysis of NUCKS we used proteomic and histochemical methods. Analysis of patient-matched samples of normal and breast cancer by mass spectrometry revealed elevated levels of NUCKS in protein extracts from ductal breast cancers. We elicited specific antibodies against NUCKS and used them for immunohistochemistry in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast. We found high expression of NUCKS in 84.3% of cancer cells. We suggest that such overexpression of NUCKS can play significant role in breast cancer biology

On the orbital and physical parameters of the HDE 226868/Cygnus X-1 binary system

In this paper we explore the consequences of the recent determination of the mass m=(8.7 +/- 0.8)M_Sun of Cygnus X-1, obtained from the Quasi-Periodic Oscillation (QPO)-photon index correlation scaling, on the orbital and physical properties of the binary system HDE 226868/Cygnus X-1. By using such a result and the latest spectroscopic optical data of the HDE 226868 supergiant star we get M=(24 +/- 5)M_Sun for its mass. It turns out that deviations from the third Kepler law significant at more than 1-sigma level would occur if the inclination i of the system's orbital plane to the plane of the sky falls outside the range 41-56 deg: such deviations cannot be due to the first post-Newtonian (1PN) correction to the orbital period because of its smallness; interpreted in the framework of the Newtonian theory of gravitation as due to the stellar quadrupole mass moment Q, they are unphysical because Q would take unreasonably large values. By conservatively assuming that the third Kepler law is an adequate model for the orbital period we obtain i=(48 +/- 7) deg which yields for the relative semimajor axis a=(42 +/- 9)R_Sun. Our estimate for the Roche's lobe of HDE 226868 is r_M = (21 +/- 6)R_Sun.Comment: Latex2e, 7 pages, 1 table, 4 figures. To appear in ApSS (Astrophysics and Space Science

Forest biomass retrieval approaches from earth observation in different biomes

The amount and spatial distribution of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) were estimated using a range of regionally developed methods using Earth Observation data for Poland, Sweden and regions in Indonesia (Kalimantan), Mexico (Central Mexico and Yucatan peninsula), and South Africa (Eastern provinces) for the year 2010. These regions are representative of numerous forest biomes and biomass levels globally, from South African woodlands and savannas to the humid tropical forest of Kalimantan. AGB retrieval in each region relied on different sources of reference data, including forest inventory plot data and airborne LiDAR observations, and used a range of retrieval algorithms. This is the widest inter-comparison of regional-to-national AGB maps to date in terms of area, forest types, input datasets, and retrieval methods. The accuracy assessment of all regional maps using independent field data or LiDAR AGB maps resulted in an overall root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 10 t ha−1 to 55 t ha−1 (37% to 67% relative RMSE), and an overall bias ranging from −1 t ha−1 to +5 t ha−1 at pixel level. The regional maps showed better agreement with field data than previously developed and widely used pan-tropical or northern hemisphere datasets. The comparison of accuracy assessments showed commonalities in error structures despite the variety of methods, input data, and forest biomes. All regional retrievals resulted in overestimation (up to 63 t ha−1) in the lower AGB classes, and underestimation (up to 85 t ha−1) in the higher AGB classes. Parametric model-based algorithms present advantages due to their low demand on in situ data compared to non-parametric algorithms, but there is a need for datasets and retrieval methods that can overcome the biases at both ends of the AGB range. The outcomes of this study should be considered when developing algorithms to estimate forest biomass at continental to global scale level

Vehicles speed analysis in roundabouts vicinity

Statystyki wypadków wskazują, że spośród wszystkich wypadków drogowych do zdecydowanej ich większości (ponad 70%) dochodzi w terenie zabudowanym, gdzie szczególnie niebezpiecznymi miejscami są obszary skrzyżowań drogowych. W celu poprawy bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego coraz częściej projektuje się skrzyżowania o ruchu okrężnym, które w porównaniu do innych skrzyżowań charakteryzują się mniejszą liczbą punktów kolizji oraz wymuszają na kierowcach redukcję prędkości przez co wydatnie przyczyniają się zmniejszenia liczby i ciężkość wypadków. Jednak, jak dowodzą prowadzone analizy, w otoczeniu rond dochodzi również do dużej liczby zdarzeń, gdzie dominującymi typami są zderzenia boczne i najechania z tyłu, które są konsekwencją techniki i stylu jazdy kierowców. W referacie przedstawiono wyniki pomiarów prędkości na wlotach rond zlokalizowanych w Białymstoku różniących się wielkością oraz liczbą wlotów. Przeanalizowano prędkości chwilowe pojazdów w ruchu swobodnym na odcinkach dojazdowych do ronda, jezdni głównej oraz wlotach i wylotach. Do rejestracji prędkości wykorzystano rejestrator GPS stosując metodę przejazdu pojazdem testowym.Driving speed is one of the most important factors in road safety as it not only affects the severity of a crash but it is also related to the risk of being involved in a crash. One of the solutions for improving safety in cities is to design new and replace already existing crossroads by roundabouts which offer improved safety over other types of intersections having fewer conflict points, slower speeds and easier decision making. Previously conducted studies considering traffic safety at crossroads in Bialystok have confirmed lower number of accidents and casualties at roundabouts when compared to other types of junctions but at the same time the number of collisions remained at unexpectedly high level. The paper presents the survey of instantaneous speed, decelerations and accelerations in vicinity of chosen roundabouts located in Bialystok. The data was gathered by utilizing a portable wireless GPS data logger that allowed monitoring and recording second-by-second in-field vehicle position along the tested sections

Speed management efficacy on national roads – early experiences of sectional speed system functioning in Podlaskie voivodship

Driving speed is one of the most important factors in road safety, and speed not only affects the severity of a crash, but is also related to the risk of being involved in a crash. Inappropriate speed is responsible for more than a third of all fatal accidents occurring on the roads. In Poland, the problem of speeding drivers is widely common. Hence, effective speed management and enforcement of speed limits on existing road plays an important role. Possible solutions for rural roads are very limited and have focused mainly on administrative speed limitations and speed cameras enforcement. However, due to their limited effectiveness, new solutions are still being sought. High expectations are associated with the latest introduction of sectional speed system in Poland. The aim of this paper is to examine the efficiency of the sectional speed control system implemented on chosen sections of national roads in Podlaskie province. For this purpose, speed surveys included road segments where the system for sectional spede control had been already implemented, as well as in order to evaluate its effectiveness, speed measurements were conducted on other national roads with no further specific restrictions. In addition, to evaluate the possible influence of the sections monitored by the system on driver’s behaviour on adjacent segments, the relevant speed data was collected on adherent sectors. On the basis of the conducted measurements, high effectiveness of sectional speed control system was stated together with its impact on adjoining segments, but also some deficiency in terms of speed homogeneity has been revealed