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Dynamic compaction is a soil improvement technique which involves the repeated application of an impact load to a contact area of the soil surface induced by heavy weights. Experimental measurements were prepared for evaluation of the ground wave propagation induced by the rapid impact compaction. Influence of increase of subsoil stiffness during compaction and terrain configuration were investigated. When the shear strength of soil is exceeded during the penetration of the compaction footing, increase of peak particle velocities is slower but still clearly visible along the measurement line. The peak particle velocity is damped by the subsoil below 5 mm s -1 within 40-50 m from the source of excitation. Attenuation radius is affected by the terrain configuration, when terrain elevations cause the increase of acceleration amplitudes. Rigid bodies in the ground, such as foundation structures, could have similar influence. Dominant frequencies are in the interval from 20 to 40 Hz regardless the distance from the source of excitation or the density of the treated subsoil. Obtained results are preferably related to the given boundary conditions. However, wave propagation pattern and change of its characteristics during densification of the subsoil are applicable at another construction sites considering their particularities., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The authors analyze the prevalence of nosocomial infections in their facility between 1999 and 2006. The annual rates ranged from 1.92 % to 4.24 %, with an average prevalence of 3.12 %. The most frequent were wound infections, febrile conditions associated with positive blood culture and urinary tract infections. In nosocomial infections, the average length of hospitalization increased by a factor of 3.5 and treatment costs rose. Sporadically, multiresistant strains were detected, such as MRSA, MRCoNS, ESBL+ Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp. and E. coli. Measures preventing infections from spread are of crucial importance. These are concerned with the source of infection, medical supplies, breaking the route of transmission, protection of susceptible individuals and detected nosocomial infections.

To investigate the significance of impaired insulin secretion on preimplantation embryo development, outbred ICR female mice received an injection of a single dose of streptozotocin 200 mg.kg-1 14-17 days before fertilization. Oocytes were collected 24-26 h after hCG injection. Morphological evaluation revealed a lower percentage of oocytes with second polar bodies from streptozotocin-treated females in comparison with controls. Furthermore, in this group the incidence of degenerated embryos significantly increased after 120 h in vitro cultivation. Insulin (5 U per 100 g b.w.) administered twice daily to streptozotocin-treated mice significantly improved the Embryonic development. Morphological analysis of oocyte maturation in streptozotocin-treated mice showed no significant differences in comparison with control mice. It could be concluded that marked changes in preimplantation embryo development were detected in outbred ICR mice after streptozotocin administration and this process was partly reversible by insulin treatment. Furthermore, it was shown that the process of fertilization was negatively influenced and that during in vitro cultivation the delayed effects of impaired insulin secretion resulted in an increase of embryo degeneration at the time following the third mitotic cleavage.

The current political changes in South Africa have focused attention on matters such as the availability of medical and psychiatric services for all. These services have been stretched to breaking point due to waves of crimes of violence which seem to go in tandem with the process of democratization. These questions are discussed and some possible inadequacies of the forensic sciences in the criminal justice system are considered.