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Introduction and purpose: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which have been on the market for more than 30 years, are widely regarded as safe and effective medications. For this reason, they are very popular with both doctors and patients. PPIs find their use in the treatment of such ailments as gastroesophageal reflux, gastric ulcer disease or as a shielding therapy when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nevertheless, their long-term use may be associated with many side effects. The purpose of our review is to summarize the knowledge in the current medical literature on the possible complications of chronic use of PPIs. The review is based on 30 articles from the most recent publications on chronic PPI treatment. Publications were searched for the words PPI chronic therapy, gastric cancer, omeprazole in PubMed databases. Articles from 2018-2024 represent 70% of all publications from the references. A brief description of the state of knowledge: Although the use of PPIs in the short term is relatively safe, the number of people taking these drugs has increased significantly in recent years. They are prescribed not always as indicated, patients often take them for too long - this in turn leads to an increasing incidence of side effects. Some of them can permanently affect health and significantly reduce the comfort of life - such as kidney diseases, cardiovascular disorders or gastric cancer. Summary: Considering the widespread availability and popularity of PPIs, it is important to adequately educate both patients and healthcare professionals of the possible side effects. It is crucial to use medications as prescribed, with an appropriate assessment of the risk-benefit ratio. It might result in reducing health care expenditures to deal with the consequences of IPP therapy.

Introduction and objective: Athlete’s performance depends both on training and nutrition. Although athletes analyze macronutrients intake, micronutrients are often omitted, with sodium among them. It is proven to boost performance, due to its hydrating qualities. The aim of this study is to explore positive effects of salt induced hyperhydration, its effect on muscle cramps, exercise associated hyponatremia, prevention of dehydration and possible endurance gain. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to look further into the positive effects of sodium loading induced hyperhydration, its effect on muscle cramps, exercise associated hyponatremia, prevention of dehydration and possible endurance gain using PubMed databases from the last 25 years. Review methods: Articles were searched by entering keywords in PubMed databases. Scientific articles written from 2016 to 2024 make up 76% of the literature. Guidelines from global societies of dietary health and sport. Studies from specialized research centers including meta-analyses and double-blind randomized trials were included. Ones conducted with methodological errors were rejected. Basic results and conclusions: We can draw a conclusion that salt-loading might indeed prove useful in endurance training preparation, and should be included in an athlete's supplements arsenal. Dehydrating nature of heat and long training make salt induced hyperhydration more efficient in such conditions. Sportsmen can improve results in both endurance performance and reduction of the occurrence of possible negative outcomes connected with metabolic and physical strain. Presented studies also advocate for the importance of sodium loading in prevention of hyponatremia and muscle cramps.

Since its discovery, graphene has been widely considered a great material that has advanced the Li-ion battery field and allowed development in its performance. However, most current graphene-related research is focused on graphene-based composites as electrode materials, highlighting the role of graphene in composite materials. Herein, we focused on a three-dimensional composite film with unique sandwich-type architecture based on ultrafast self-expanded and reduced graphene oxide (userGO) and exfoliated WS2. This strategy allows non-active agents [e.g., carbon black and poly (vinylidene fluoride)] free electrodes in LIBs in the form of a film. The ultra-quick exothermal nature of the USER reaction allows the rapid release of internally generated gases to create highly porous channels inside the film. Hence, the improved Li-ion transport in the LIBs boosted the electrochemical performance of both film components (ex-WS2 and reduced graphene), resulting in a high specific capacity of 762 mAh/g at .05 A/g and high Coulombic efficiency (101%) after 1,000 cycles. Overall, userGO showed the highest capacity at a low current, and ex-WS2 provided a higher reversible capacity. These results showed that the expanded graphene layer is an excellent shield for ex-WS2 to protect against pulverization, promoting both stability and capacity.

Recently, to meet the growing demand for stable and flexible batteries, anodes in the form of thin films have drawn the attention of researchers. It is clear that mass production of such batteries would bring the worldwide distribution of flexible devices and wearable electronics closer. Currently, electrodes are deposited on a flexible substrate and consist of conductive and binding agents that increase the volume/weight of the electrode. Here, we propose free-standing and non-active-material-free thin films based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) as working electrodes in lithium-ion half-cells prepared via the vacuum-assisted filtration method. The electrochemical performance of the assembled half-cells exhibited good cyclic stability and a reversible capacity at lower current densities. The addition of TiO2 and MnO2 improved the capacity of the rGO film, while rGO itself provided a stable rate performance. rGO/TiO2/MnO2 film showed the highest discharge capacity (483 mAh/g at 50 mA/g). In addition, all assembled cells displayed excellent repeatability and reversibility in cyclic voltammetry measurements and good lithium-ion diffusion through the electrolyte, SEI layer and the active material itself.

The paper presents a numerical analysis of the soil-steel bridge in the scope of static loads. The Abaqus program based on the FEM was used to calculations. Maximum displacements were obtained in the shell crown, and the largest stresses in the haunches. Calculation results were compared with the experimental ones and previous calculations obtained from the Robot Millenium program. The shapes of calculated displacements and stresses are similar to those obtained with the experiment, but the absolute values were generally higher than measured ones. Using both calculation programs, the relative reductions of displacement were in the range of 15–39%, and 17–44% for stresses in favour of the Abaqus program. Developed calculation model of the soil-steel bridge in the Abaqus program allows to obtain reasonable values of internal forces in the shell structure.

Conventional measurement technologies of transportation infrastructures consist of discrete surveys which can be inconvenient in practice. Furthermore, data obtained using these methods are restricted to several points (or elements) placed on the observed structures. Modern survey techniques—for example, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and photogrammetric—allow for the surveying of quasi-continuous surfaces of examined structures. The examined object is an historic cast-iron suspension bridge in Ozimek (south of Poland). The bridge was constructed in 1825–1827 and constitutes the oldest European bridge of this type. The surveys were conducted using TLS and digital photogrammetric techniques. The data obtained were compared with traditional survey results (reference data) and the project. The achieved effects of the measurements show that the discrepancies between the applied techniques (TLS and photogrammetry) and reference methods varied only within several millimeters and can be regarded as satisfactory. Better compliance was obtained for TLS than photogrammetry. The main benefits of the applied techniques include reducing time in the field and obtaining a three-dimensional model of the structure that has satisfactory accuracy.

The paper characterizes the problem of preservation of wildlife animals in connection with extension of transportation road systems. The constantly evolving transportation infrastructure in Europe, especially in its Midwestern part, on one hand connects, making it easier for people to travel and ship goods, but on the other hand it irreversibly divides and leaves a painful impress on virgin natural areas (fragmentation of the environment). The paper briefly presents the European Ecological Network Nature 2000 as the European Union program concerning the environmental protection. It enumerates possible types of animal crossings together with their characteristics. Some examples of underpasses, overpasses and crossings on the road surface are also presented. It also presents specificity and phases of designing engineering structures of this type, as well as the most common design errors and their influence over the use of such structures by animals. Finally the soil-steel bridge structures made from corrugated plates are characterized in their function as crossings for animals. The conclusion mentions complexity of the problem of animal crossing construction, which can be of use to designers and constructors of this type of engineering structures. Santrauka Straipsnyje apžvelgtos laukinės gyvūnijos išsaugojimo problemos, susijusios su besiplečiančiu transporto tinklu. Nuolat besivystanti transporto infrastruktūra Europoje, ypač Vidurio vakaruose, viena vertus, jungia ir palengvina žmonių mobilumą,sukuria jungtį su uostais, tačiau, kita vertus, daro didelę žalą natūraliai aplinkai (aplinkos fragmentacija). Straipsnyje trumpai pristatoma Europos ekologinio tinklo ,,Natura 2000“ ES programa, skirta aplinkos apsaugai. Išvardyti galimi gyvūnų perėjų tipai su jiems būdingomis charakteristikomis. Pateikiami požeminių, virš kelio ir perėjų per patį kelią pavyzdžiai. Straipsnyje taip pat apžvelgiama inžinerinių struktūrų projektavimo specifika ir fazės, aptariamos dažniausiai pasitaikančios projektavimo klaidos ir jų įtaka gyvūnams. Galiausiai apibūdinamas dirvos ir plieninių tiltų struktūros, pagamintos iš gofruotų plokštelių, naudojimas gyvūnų perėjoms. Išvadose aptariamas gyvūnų perėjų konstrukcijų problemų kompleksiškumas, į kurį turėtų atkreipti dėmesį gyvūnų perėjas konstruojantys inžinieriai ir dizaineriai. Резюме Анализируются проблемы охраны диких животных в связи с расширяющейся транспортной сетью. Постоянно развивающаяся транспортная инфраструктура в Европе, особенно на западе центральной части Европы, с одной стороны, объединяет людей, облегчает их мобильность, открывает доступ к портам, с другой – наносит непоправимый вред натуральной природе. В статье вкратце представлена программа Европейской экологической сети – Natura 2000, касающаяся охраны окружающей среды. Перечислены возможные типы переходов для животных с их типичными характеристиками. Представлены примеры подземных переходов, переходов над дорогой и по самой дороге. Проанализирована специфика и фазы проектирования инженерных структур, а также часто совершаемых ошибок при проектировании и их влияние на животных. Охарактеризовано применение для переходов животных почвенностальных структур мостов из гофрированных пластин. Проанализирована комплексность проблем, касающихся конструкций для переходов животных, на которые следует обратить внимание инженерам и дизайнерам при констру ировании переходов для животных. Reikšminiai žodžiai: gyvūnų perėjos, kelias, susidūrimai, gyvūnų apsauga, programa ,,Natura 2000“ Ключевые слова: переходы для животных, дорога, столкновения, охрана животных, программа Natura 2000

The subject of the article is a three-dimensional numerical analysis of the impact of backfill quality on the deformation of corrugated steel plate culvert. In the numerical analysis, the author took into consideration three different backfill types. The paper presents the calculations performed with the use of Abaqus program based on finite element method. A steel shell was modelled with the use of the theory of orthotropic plates, and backfill with the use of elastic perfectly plastic Drucker-Prager model. The author made the numerical calculations under static live loads for the corrugated steel plate culvert with a span of 12.315 m and height of shell of 3.555 m. Soil cover over the shell crown was equal to 1.0 m. The steel shell consisted of the sheets of the corrugation of 0.14×0.38 m and plate thickness of 0.0071 m. The main aim of this paper is to present the impact of backfill quality (internal friction angle, unit weight, Young’s modulus) on the effort of the steel shell. The paper also shows the numerical calculations for the actual culvert, which previously had been studied experimentally. The author compared the obtained numerical results to the results of experiments. Parametric analysis showed that the angle of internal friction was a major factor in corrugated steel plate culverts. Considering the entire width of the corrugated steel plate culvert, the calculation model II was most favourable. The proposed method of modelling of the corrugated steel plate culvert allowed obtaining reasonable values of displacements and stresses in comparison to experimental results.

There have only been a limited number of analyses of soil−steel bridges under seismic and anthropogenic (rockburst) excitations. Rockbursts are phenomena similar to low-intensity natural earthquakes. They can be observed in Poland (Upper and Lower Silesia) as well as in many parts of the world where coal and gas are mined. The influence of rockbursts and natural earthquakes on soil−steel bridges should be investigated because the ground motions caused by these two kinds of excitations differ. In the present paper, a non-linear analysis of a soil−steel bridge was carried out. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam blocks were used in a numerical model of the soil−steel bridge to buffer the seismic wave induced by a rockburst (coming from a coal mine) as well as a natural earthquake (El Centro record). The analyzed soil−steel bridge had two closed pipe arches in its cross-section. The span of the shells was 4.40 m and the height of the shells was 2.80 m. The numerical analysis was conducted using the DIANA program based on the finite element method (FEM). The paper presents the FEM results of a 3D numerical study of a soil−steel bridge both with and without the application of the EPS geofoam under seismic excitations. The obtained results can be interesting to bridge engineers and scientists dealing with the design and analysis of bridges situated in seismic and mining areas.

The paper presents a numerical analysis of corrugated steel plate (CSP) bridge with reinforced concrete (RC) relieving slab under static loads. Calculations were made based on the finite element method using Abaqus software. Two computation models were used; in the first one, RC slab was used, and the other was without it. The effect of RC slab to deformations of CSP shell was determined. Comparing the computational results from two numerical models, it can be concluded that when the relieving slab is applied, substantial reductions in displacements, stresses, bending mo­ments and axial thrusts are achieved. Relative reductions of displacements were in the range of 53–66%, and stresses of 73–82%. Maximum displacements and bending moments were obtained at the shell crown, and maximum stresses and axial thrusts at the quarter points. The calculation results were also compared to the values from experimental tests. The course of computed displacements and stresses is similar to those obtained from experimental tests, although the absolute values were generally higher than the measured ones. Results of numerical analyses can be useful for bridge engineering, with particular regard to bridges and culverts made from corrugated steel plates for the range of necessity of using additional relieving elements. First published online: 15 Jan 2015

The paper presents a numerical analysis of the soil-steel bridge which was also thoroughly tested under real field loads (during backfilling and under static loads). The comparison of results from calculations and field tests was also presented in the paper. The soil-steel structures are built mostly as bridges located on local roads, but also as the railway viaducts, or even as the highway bridges as well as recently as the ecological objects or tunnels (overpasses and underpasses for animals). The technology of usage of flexible structures made from corrugated steel plates (CSP) is based on the interaction between shell and surrounding soil (backfill) and also takes into consideration the effect of loads arching in soil. The computation model with interface elements can be used to computer simulation of live loads in such type of bridges instead of extremely expensive and time-consuming experimental tests.