Forensic engineering of advanced polymeric materials

Open AccessPolymers are everywhere, also inside of the human body. Why polymers are so important? The most general answer is: because they are solid. With the term “polymer” we describe long chains consisted with repetitive structure, and longer chains tend to be solid. Classical forensic polymer engineering concerns a study of failure in solid polymer products. This area of science comprises fracture of plastic products, or any other reason why such a product fails in service, or fails to meet its specification. Environmental stress cracking (ESC) is one of the most common causes of unexpected brittle failure of thermoplastic (especially amorphous) polymers. The rate of ESC is dependent on many factors, including, for example, the polymer’s chemical composition, bonding, crystallinity, surface roughness, molar mass and residual stress. It also depends on the chemical nature of liquid media and the temperature of the system

Album biograficzne zasłużonych Polaków i Polek wieku XIX. Warsztatowe studia przypadków

The article proposes a new reading of Album biograficzne zasłużonych Polaków i Polek wieku XIX (1901–1903) [Biographic album of distinguished nineteenth-century Polish men and women (1901–1903)]. It is proven that this collection of characteristically designed biographies and an unusual collective biography is an important work of Polish humanities of the turn of the twentieth century that can be placed in relation to both Thomas Carlyle’s hero concept and Jacob Burckhardt’s postulates of the ‘anthropologisation of history’. The three selected biograms (Klaudyna Potocka’s by Aleksander Kraushar, August Hiacynt Dziarkowski’s by Józef Peszke and Adolf Pawiński’s by Jan Karol Kochanowski) are case studies allowing for the reconstruction of the dilemmas and text strategies each time specifying the biographer’s unique workshop and the techniques of uncovering it.  The article proposes a new reading of Album biograficzne zasłużonych Polaków i Polek wieku XIX (1901–1903) [Biographic album of distinguished nineteenth-century Polish men and women (1901–1903)]. It is proven that this collection of characteristically designed biographies and an unusual collective biography is an important work of Polish humanities of the turn of the twentieth century that can be placed in relation to both Thomas Carlyle’s hero concept and Jacob Burckhardt’s postulates of the ‘anthropologisation of history’. The three selected biograms (Klaudyna Potocka’s by Aleksander Kraushar, August Hiacynt Dziarkowski’s by Józef Peszke and Adolf Pawiński’s by Jan Karol Kochanowski) are case studies allowing for the reconstruction of the dilemmas and text strategies each time specifying the biographer’s unique workshop and the techniques of uncovering it

New vistas in mass spectrometry for sequence analysis of natural and synthetic biodegradable macromolecules

Biodegradable polymers have become materials of hope for the future and knowledge on the relationships between their structure, properties and function is essential for prospective safe applications of such materials in the areas of human health and the environment. Examples are given of the uses of mass spectrometry (MS) for structural studies of biodegradable (co)polymers along with the use of multi-stage electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn). Specifically they concern applications of MS forthe characterization of natural biodegradable polymers and their derivatives, ESI-MSn in the synthesis of biodegradable copolyesters, MS for forensic engineering of advanced biodegradable polymeric materials as well as ESI-MSn for identification of selected biodegradable polymers on the way of molecular labelling.National Science Centre (NCN) Poland, University of Wolverhampto

„Ateny litewskie”. Ludwika Janowskiego wersje dziejów Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego

The subject of this article is scientific reflection about the works on the history of Vilnius University had written in the first two decades of the twentieth century by the cultural historian, Ludwik Janowski (1878-1921), who was associated with the scientific community in Kiev and Krakow, and in 1919-1921 he was a professor at The Stefan Batory University in Vilnius. Janowski’s interest on the history of Vilnius University was a kind of a research passion all his life. Though he failed to write a historiographic synthesis that it has been planning. In his works he tried to correct and supplement the research on the history of Vilnius University. His studies and books compose a specific synthesis in fragments, which shows in a multi-variant narrative the most important stages and factors in the development of this great center of science and culture.„Lietuvos Atėnai“. Ludwiko Janowskio Vilniaus universiteto istorijos versijos Straipsnio objektas – Vilniaus universiteto istorijai skirti darbai, sukurti XX amžiaus pirmuosius du dešimtmečius kultūros istoriko Ludwiko Janowskio (1878–1921), kurio veikla buvo siejama su Kijevo ir Krokuvos mokslo bendruomenėmis, o 1919–1921 m. buvo Vilniaus Stepono Batoro universiteto profesorius. Domėjimasis Vilniaus universiteto istorija buvo Janowskio tyrinėjimo aistra visą jo gyvenimą, nors jam nepavyko parašyti planuotos istoriografinės sintezės. Savo darbuose jis bandė taisyti ir papildyti Vilniaus universiteto istorijos tyrimus. Jo studijos ir knygos sudaro savotišką fragmentų, daugelio variantų pasakojimų, rodančių svarbiausius šio didžio mokslo ir kultūros centro raidos etapus ir veiksnius, sintezę

Population growth in a high amenity area: migration and socio-economic change in Cornwall

The thesis was carried out in collaboration with Cornwall County CouncilThe thesis provides a deeper understanding of migration flows to high amenity areas using the example of migration to and from Cornwall. Cornwall is a remote, non-metropolitan county which has been experiencing very strong population growth since the 1970s almost solely due to in-migration. There are several aspects of the project that should contribute to an understanding of internal migration in England and Wales. First, a cohort analysis of migrants brings insights into the migration strategies of in-migrants and out-migrants throughout the period. Using the case of Cornwall allows the examination of migration patterns in a peripheral location where commuting opportunities are limited, and allows comparison with a more accessible rural area, Wiltshire. Secondly, through the creation of a new area type classification the project helps to explore the environmental dimension of migration. The typology is used to investigate the residential patterns of migrants and non-migrants and to test the hypothesis that environmental preferences are significant in the choice by in-migrants of where to live. Finally, The research investigates some pressing issues in Cornwall, issues which are relevant also for other non-metropolitan areas, such as the shortage of affordable housing, the detrimental impact of tourism and poor economic development, and their links with migration. The research focuses especially on labour market problems and housing need, due to their policy relevance. Comparisons between the migrant and non-migrant populations provide the basis for estimating the impacts of migration on the restructuring of labour and housing markets in Cornwall.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC

Is Acupuncture An Effective Treatment For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupuncture is an effective treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, one published in 2007 and two of which were published in 2010. DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of acupuncture for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Sources were found using PubMed and Cochrane databases. OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured include the severity of pain from DPN, blood glucose control, and effects on quality of life such as sleep, mood states, and gain or loss of sensations. The tools used to measure were the participant’s opinions on whether the symptoms were relieved, improved, or failed to improve, the 11-point Likert Scale daily pain severity score, glucose levels or use of insulin, nerve conduction velocity, and standardized and comprehensive questionnaires provided to participants. RESULTS: Two of the three studies results supported acupuncture for the treatment of DPN. Ahn et al demonstrated that acupuncture improved blood circulation, controlled blood glucose, and helped promote functional recovery of damaged nerves. Tong et al determined that acupuncture improved nerve conduction velocity and decreased the painful symptoms of DPN. According to Zhang et al, results were inconclusive due to the small sample size however, did suggest improvement in patients symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the RCT’s reviewed are inconclusive however, do suggest that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for DPN. Due to small sample sizes and limitations within studies, this topic does warrant additional research. Further studies conducted should include patients that are acupuncture naïve and blinded to the type of acupuncture administered

Mass Spectrometry for the Elucidation of the Subtle Molecular Structure of Biodegradable Polymers and their Degradation Products

Contemporary reports by Polish authors on the application of mass spectrometric methods for the elucidation of the subtle molecular structure of biodegradable polymers and their degradation products will be presented. Special emphasis will be given to natural aliphatic (co)polyesters (PHA) and their synthetic analogues, formed through anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of b-substituted b-lactones. Moreover, the application of MS techniques for the evaluation of the structure of biodegradable polymers obtained in ionic and coordination polymerization of cyclic ethers and esters as well as products of step-growth polymerization, in which bifunctional or multifunctional monomers react to form oligomers and eventually long chain polymers, will be discussed. Furthermore, the application of modern MS techniques for the assessment of polymer degradation products, frequently bearing characteristic end groups that can be revealed and differentiated by MS, will be discussed within the context of specific degradation pathways. Finally, recent Polish accomplishments in the area of mass spectrometry will be outlined.Project ID 2013/11/B/ST5/02222, 2012/07/B/ST5/00627, 3CE368P1 Project Funder National Science Centre (NCN) Poland, Central Europe Programme, University of Wolverhampto

Simulating, fabricating and characterising photoconductive microwave switches for RF applications

Photoconductive microwave switches can be used in place of traditional microwave switches to reconfigure antennas and RF circuits. The switch, which consists of a silicon die placed over a gap in transmission line, is controlled by illumination via a fibre optic cable. Hence there is no requirement to design electrical biasing lines which may affect RF performance. This benefit is the main motivation behind further developing and understanding the photoconductive switch. The second motivation is the growing demand for reconfigurable antennas which necessitate certain switching requirements; one specific area of interest is in cognitive radio applications. However, in order to use such a switch in RF circuitry, the photoconductive nature of the switch must be understood. This is addressed in this thesis presenting and applying analytical equations which dictate the material properties in photoconductive silicon. These equations are then used to generate a 3D EM simulation model to investigate transmission loss in the photoconductive switch. The concept of signal planarity is investigated so as to give some insight into the best way to package the switch. In order to potentially reduce loss and facilitate a packaged device, the fabrication of the switch is investigated. Namely, the treatment of the silicon and the addition of contacts on the silicon are discussed as possible methods to improve switch performance. Lastly, linearity, power handing and switching times are presented for the photoconductive switch. This characterisation is important with regards to understanding which types of application the switch can be used in. In particular the single tone and two tone linearity of the switch is measured these values have not previously been reported for this type of photoconductive switch. The results are encouraging and support further development of the switch into a packaged product to be used in reconfigurable antennas and circuitry

Rare genotype del2,3/2184insA in a cystic fibrosis patient.

In this paper we present an interesting case of cystic fibrosis patient with rare genotype de12,3/2184insA and atypical clinical image including: mild symptoms in an early phase of disease, quick progress of lung disease, complicated with pneumothorax after Bordetella pertussis infection and very good response to systemic and inhaled steroid therapy