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This paper presents a study of the turning of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V with uncoated and physically or chemically coated carbide blades. The indicators studied and measured were 3D surface roughness, cutting force, the shape of the resulting chips and the degree of blade wear. It was found that coating the cutting blades increased the cutting forces. More blade wear mechanisms also occur, including thermal and adhesive wear. The chemically applied coating makes it possible to obtain the best roughness of Sq and Sz. The coating of the cutting blades had no effect on the form of the chips produced. The Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) confirmed that the recommended blades for the machining of superalloys warranted better technological results for the machining Ti6Al4V alloy.

Metallic glasses, especially those based on zirconium have garnered significant attention due to their unique amorphous structure, offering a combination of high strength, corrosion resistance, and unique wear properties. The cold spray process, a solid-state coating deposition method, has emerged as a promising technique for applying metallic glass coatings, preserving the amorphous structure. The objective of the presented studies was to analyze the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cold sprayed Zr-based amorphous powder. The coating was sprayed using the Impact Innovations 5/8 system with the robot Fanuc M-20iA at Kielce University of Technology. The feedstock used for this study was commercial AMZ-4 powder. The high kinetic energy of feedstock particles and their morphology caused significant deformation and particular splats strongly adhered to the substrate and to each other. Throughout the cross-section, the coating was homogenous and exhibited negligible porosity. On the other hand, histograms and probability distributions of the hardness and Young's modulus of cold sprayed coating showed significant differences. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the deposited coating had the same amorphous structure as the feedstock.

This article presents a comprehensive improvement in the experimental analysis of cracking processes in smooth and sharp V-notched samples taken from gas transport pipelines, utilizing the acoustic emission (AE) method. The research aimed to establish a robust correlation between the failure mechanisms of uni-axially tensile samples and the distinct characteristics of AE signals for enhanced quality management in pipeline integrity. The study encompassed materials from two different straight pipe sections, encompassing both long-term used materials and new, unused materials. Through the application of the k-means grouping method to AE signal analysis, we achieved the identification of AE signal parameters characteristic of various stages of the material destruction process. This advancement introduces a significant improvement in monitoring and managing the operational safety of pipeline networks, offering a methodology that leverages advanced acoustic emission signal analysis. The outcomes present significant implications for the pipeline industry by proposing methods to enhance safety systems and more effectively manage the integrity and quality of gas infrastructure.

This paper focuses on the challenges in educational area or, more precisely, we narrow down our considerations to the context of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). Research on multilingualism points to the need for a heteroglossic approach to language use in educational process [García, Leiva 2014]. The aim of our research is to delve into the mindset of EFL teachers regarding (1) their acceptance of translingual practices during an EFL class taught to plurilinguals, (2) the articulation of potential benefi ts or drawbacks for the language learning process aff ected by translingual practices, and, ultimately, (3) the perception of these practices with reference to TCLA (teacher critical language awareness). The obtained data shows an interesting picture of teaching EFL in the multilingual context of mixed nationality students. Both Polish and German teachers of EFL seem to reach beyond the monolingual paradigm in the classroom. The majority of teachers can speak or understand additional languages to their native language and EFL. This may be construed as a potential for the strategic use of translanguaging for educational purposes and, ultimately, it is interpreted as a transformative quality of the language teacher in the education.

Growth of structural mass and energy reserves influences individual survival, reproductive success, population and species life history. Metrics of structural growth and energy storage of individuals are often used to assess population health and reproductive potential, which can inform conservation. However, the energetic costs of tissue deposition for structural growth and energy stores and their prioritization within bioenergetic budgets are poorly documented. This is particularly true across marine mammal species as resources are accumulated at sea, limiting the ability to measure energy allocation and prioritization. We reviewed the literature on marine mammal growth to summarize growth patterns, explore their tissue compositions, assess the energetic costs of depositing these tissues and explore the tradeoffs associated with growth. Generally, marine mammals exhibit logarithmic growth. This means that the energetic costs related to growth and tissue deposition are high for early postnatal animals, but small compared to the total energy budget as animals get older. Growth patterns can also change in response to resource availability, habitat and other energy demands, such that they can serve as an indicator of individual and population health. Composition of tissues remained consistent with respect to protein and water content across species; however, there was a high degree of variability in the lipid content of both muscle (0.1-74.3%) and blubber (0.4-97.9%) due to the use of lipids as energy storage. We found that relatively few well-studied species dominate the literature, leaving data gaps for entire taxa, such as beaked whales. The purpose of this review was to identify such gaps, to inform future research priorities and to improve our understanding of how marine mammals grow and the associated energetic costs.

This dataset compiles radiocarbon dates received for botanical macroremains and animal bones from domestic and ritual pits and human graves unearthed during excavations at the archaeological site of Kałdus (Poland) that can be related to the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). Prior to radiocarbon dating by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), plant macroremains were checked against diagnostic attributes of species identification by standard paleobotanical analysis. The dataset contains already published (n = 4) and new (n = 10) radiocarbon dates that were used to establish the absolute chronology of the TRB habitus at Kałdus and its diachronic spatial organization. This dataset serves as an archive for future studies focusing on the TRB settlement pattern and organization in the region of modern Poland. It also has a utility to be reused in archaeological and chronological research on the movement of copper metalwork and the gradual spread of human cremation rite in the region.

Abstract Background Excessive gestational weight gain, especially among women with gestational diabetes, is associated with several adverse perinatal outcomes. Our study aimed to analyse the impact of the use of pedometers to supervise physical activity on maternal health and the obstetric outcomes of pregnant women with obesity and early gestational diabetes. Methods 124 pregnant patients were enrolled in the presented research. Inclusion criteria: singleton pregnancy, age > 18 years, gestational diabetes diagnosed in the first half of pregnancy (

Purpose: The aim of the article is to verify the impact of the use of electronic notification of deliveries on the service time of a means of transport in a distribution center. Methodology: The study used electronic notification in the form of EDI DESADV messages. The research was carried out in one of the distribution centers of a retail company operating in Poland. The study used the method of recording the time of logistics operations. The study was conducted in two stages (each lasting a week), in which the time of logistics operations was recorded in conditions without and with the DESADV message implemented. Results: The results of the conducted research show that the use of electronic despatch advice allows you to reduce the time of handling the means of transport in the distribution center. Conclusion: Reducing the time of handling the means of transport in the distribution center brings numerous additional benefits, such as faster release of the means of transport and enabling it to carry out subsequent transport tasks, handling a larger number of unloadings with the same number of resources (e.g. warehouse ramps), accelerating the internal process and enabling faster reloading to other means of transport performing the distribution process.

This paper presents the outcomes of quality tests conducted on specimens, both smooth and V-notched, subjected to uniaxial tension, which were extracted from a gas transport pipeline. The introduction of the V-notch introduced variations in the stress and strain component fields near the plane of maximum constriction, consequently leading to their failure through different mechanisms. The process included the implementation of quality management practices such as numerical modeling and simulation of the loading of the specimens using ABAQUS. The material model employed in these calculations was defined and verified to ensure quality control. Subsequent to the numerical calculations, maps of the stress and strain component fields were generated, contributing to the quality assessment of the specimens. It was determined that the quality management process for the smooth specimen identifies the initiation of failure primarily due to the normal stress component in the central region of the plane with the largest constriction. In contrast, in the V-notched specimen, quality management efforts revealed that failure initiation occurs due to the tangential stress component, and failure proceeds through the shear mechanism. These results are valuable in developing a quality-driven methodology for monitoring the operational safety of gas network pipelines, primarily based on the analysis of acoustic emission signals.

In this study, we decided to test the hypothesis that the fungal biostarter M. flavus used during a 21-day beef dry-aging process significantly impacts the composition of other microorganisms, the profile of volatile compounds, meat hardness characteristics, and, consequently, the sensory quality. The experiments were performed on samples derived from animals crossbred between Holstein–Fresian cows and meat breed bulls. Two groups of samples were studied, including the control group, without biostarter, and a group inoculated with the M. flavus biostarter. Both sample groups were seasoned for 21 days in the dry-aging fridge. The physicochemical parameters (pH, color parameters), the chemical composition of muscle, the determination of the shear force, the profile of volatile compounds (VOCs), and the sensory quality were evaluated after aging. During this study, classical microbiological methods were used to investigate the influence of fungal biostarters on the growth and survival of bacteria and other fungi (e.g., yeasts) during the dry-aging process of beef (DAB). The M. flavus biostarter improved the sensory quality of DAB, allowing high sensory quality to be achieved after just 21 days. This is likely due to the diverse VOCs produced by the fungus, including 1-tetradecanol, 2-nonenal, trans-2-undecenoic acid, and the following esters: formic acid hexyl ester, 10-undecenoic acid methyl ester, and 4-methylpentanoic acid methyl ester. The presence of the biostarter had no significant effect on the number of the bacteria or the survivability of the L. monocytogenes on the meat’s surface in laboratory conditions.

This article presents the results of tests carried out to assess the condition of PP-modified concrete. The tests were carried out on samples previously stored at ambient temperature and exposed to temperatures corresponding to fire conditions—300 °C, 450 °C, and 600 °C. Axial compression tests of cube-shaped samples and three-point bending of beams were carried out. During strength tests, acoustic emission (AE) signals were recorded and the force and deformation were measured. Recorded AE events were clustered using the k-means algorithm. The analysis of the test results allowed for the identification of signals characteristic of the individual stages of the material destruction process. Differences in the methods of destruction of samples stored in ambient conditions and those exposed to fire temperatures were also indicated. While loading the samples, measurements were carried out using the digital image correlation (DIC) method, which enabled the determination of displacements. Based on the results of the laboratory tests, a numerical model was developed. The results obtained using different research methods (DIC and FEM) were compared. Tomographic examinations and observations of the microstructure of the tested materials were also carried out. The analyses carried out allowed for a reliable assessment of the possibility of using the acoustic emission method to detect destructive processes and assess the technical condition of PP-modified concrete. It was confirmed that the acoustic emission method, due to differences at low load levels, can be a useful technique for assessing the condition of PP-modified concrete after exposure to fire temperatures. So far, no research directions in a similar field have been identified.

Racial and ethnic discrimination persist in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, including ecology, evolution and conservation biology (EECB) and related disciplines. Marginalization and oppression as a result of institutional and structural racism continue to create barriers to inclusion for Black people, Indigenous people and people of colour (BIPOC), and remnants of historic racist policies and pseudoscientific theories continue to plague these fields. Many academic EECB departments seek concrete ways to improve the climate and implement anti-racist policies in their teaching, training and research activities. We present a toolkit of evidence-based interventions for academic EECB departments to foster anti-racism in three areas: in the classroom; within research laboratories; and department wide. To spark restorative discussion and action in these areas, we summarize EECB's racist and ethnocentric histories, as well as current systemic problems that marginalize non-white groups. Finally, we present ways that EECB departments can collectively address shortcomings in equity and inclusion by implementing anti-racism, and provide a positive model for other departments and disciplines.

In the paper, a newly developed device for measurements of the level of vibrations produced by ball bearings was described. Basic requirements for such devices, their suitability for the bearing industry applications, and the mechanical construction of the most important units were discussed. Highlights of the paper: • Basic requirements for the operation of rolling bearing vibration level measurement devices were specified; • A device, designed to the requirements of bearing manufacturers, was discussed; • The main units of the device and their roles were described; • Preliminary results of the tests carried out to assess the correct operation of the device were given.

A bibliometric analysis of TASK Quarterly in the years 1997-2021 in terms of various bibliometric indicators was performed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the publication of the first issue of the journal. The number of publications and citations increased over the mentioned span of years. The leading countries in terms of the greatest number of papers published in TASK Quarterly are Poland, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, USA and Russia. Moreover, it is shown that international collaboration can result in a greater number of citations per publication. The average publication time in TASK Quarterly is 77 days, including the average submission-acceptance time (44 days) and the average acceptancepublication time (33 days). Based on the author’s findings, it can be seen that although TASK Quarterly is a journal devoted mainly to physical and computer sciences, many publications also focus on the aspects related to mathematics, biomedical engineering and biophysics. CFD, molecular dynamics, the finite element method (FEM) and numerical simulations are the most frequently used keywords in articles published in TASK Quarterly.

Sodium is the main cation in the extracellular space. In physiological conditions, sodium concentration in plasma is 135–145 mmol/l. The kidneys play the most important role in the regulation of sodium homeostasis. In recent years, a significant role of glycosaminoglycans, localized mainly in the subcutaneous tissue, and the role of glycocalyx on the surface of vascular endothelial cells, have been documented in the regulation of sodium metabolism. Hyponatremia is defined by a plasma sodium concentration lower than 135 mmol/l. Hyponatremia significantly worsens the prognosis of patients with different chronic diseases. In patients with arterial hypertension, the risk of hyponatremia is 1.5 times higher than in the general population. One of the causes of hyponatremia in patients with arterial hypertension is the use of thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics. The symptoms of hyponatremia are caused mainly by the swelling of cells in the central nervous system. Treatment of hyponatremia depends on the degree and duration (acute or chronic) of hyponatremia as well as presence of clinical symptoms. Too rapid correction of hyponatremia might result in a potentially fatal osmotic demyelinating syndrome. In the present review paper, pathophysiology and management of hyponatremia in patients with arterial hypertension are discussed.

Eating disorders and body image concerns are increasingly prevalent issues among young individuals, with medical students being particularly vulnerable due to heightened stress levels. This study enrolled 879 medical students to investigate these concerns. The KomPAN questionnaire was utilized to assess dietary habits and knowledge, the Body Esteem Scale (BES) to evaluate body satisfaction, and The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) to identify eating disorders. A higher level of nutritional knowledge was found to be statistically significantly associated with attempts at excessive calorie restriction among women (β = 0.0864) and negatively among men (β = −0.2039). Moreover, it was negatively associated with self-control of food intake only among men (β = −0.2060). Furthermore, a higher BMI was associated with attempts of excessive calorie restriction in both women and men (β = 0.1052 and β = 0.1656, respectively) and negatively with self-control of food intake (β = −0.0813 and β = −0.1453, respectively). A higher BMI was associated with poorer body esteem across all variables in both genders, except for upper body strength among men. Nutritional knowledge did not correspond with any of these variables, while dietary quality was positively associated with physical condition in women and with physical condition, physical attractiveness, and upper body strength in men. Our study findings suggest that dietary interventions could be improved by considering gender-based behavioral differences and focusing on portion control for individuals with a higher BMI. Caution is warranted in extrapolating the results to the general population due to the specific nature of the study population.

The global scientific community is intensively promoting energy-plus buildings. Following the leading world trends, this paper presents a new energy-plus building concept—elevational earth-sheltered buildings with three different types of horizontal overhang photovoltaic-integrated panels: wooden support columns covered with clay tiles, steel pipes as support columns covered with sheet steel, and concrete support columns with concrete coverage. In this instance, the specific multi-numerical case study building model for the city of Kragujevac (located in central Serbia with favorable climatic conditions) was performed over 7 months (from 1 October to 30 April), taking into account the soil temperature, the effects of solar shading, the performance of the heating system—a ground source heat pump—and the characteristics of the artificial and automatic lighting control system. The simulation results show that the optimal depth of a horizontal overhang (energy-plus status) depends on the occupant’s habits, in addition to meteorological conditions. The presented methodology can be used for any other location, both in Europe and the world.