Analyze the Wear Mechanism of the Longwall Shearer Haulage System.

The wear characteristics and related mechanisms of the Longwall Shearer Haulage System were investigated. Wear is one of the main reasons for failures and downtimes. This knowledge can help solve engineering problems.

Non-Monotonic Complexity of Stochastic Model of the Channel Gating Dynamics.

The simple model of an ionic current flowing through a single channel in a biological membrane is used to depict the complexity of the corresponding empirical data underlying different internal constraints and thermal fluctuations. The residence times of the channel in the open and closed states are drawn from the exponential distributions to mimic the characteristics of the real channel system. In the selected state, the dynamics are modeled by the overdamped Brownian particle moving in the quadratic potential.

Reliable cell preparation protocol for Raman imaging to effectively differentiate normal leukocytes and leukemic blasts.

Leukemias are a remarkably diverse group of malignancies originating from abnormal progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Leukemia subtypes are classified according to the cell type that has undergone neoplastic transformation using demanding and time-consuming methods. Alternative is Raman imaging that can be used both for living and fixed cells.

A New Method of Identifying Characteristic Points in the Impedance Cardiography Signal Based on Empirical Mode Decomposition.

The accurate detection of fiducial points in the impedance cardiography signal (ICG) has a decisive impact on the proper estimation of diagnostic parameters such as stroke volume or cardiac output. It is, therefore, necessary to find an algorithm that is able to assess their positions with great precision. The solution to this problem is, however, quite challenging with regard to the high sensitivity of the ICG technique to the noise and varying morphology of the acquired signals.

Flavonoids as Modulators of Potassium Channels.

Potassium channels are widely distributed integral proteins responsible for the effective and selective transport of K+ ions through the biological membranes. According to the existing structural and mechanistic differences, they are divided into several groups. All of them are considered important molecular drug targets due to their physiological roles, including the regulation of membrane potential or cell signaling.

Effect of Zirconium Diboride and Titanium Diboride on the Structure and Properties of 316L Steel-Based Composites.

The effect of zirconium diboride (ZrB) and titanium diboride (TiB) on the microstructure as well as the physical, mechanical, and tribological properties of composites based on 316 L steel is presented. Each reinforcing phase was added to the base alloy in the amount of 5 wt% and 10 wt%. The composites were fabricated by the SPS process (Spark Plasma Sintering).

Development of a CT Image Analysis Model for Cast Iron Products Based on Artificial Intelligence Methods.

This paper presents an assessment of the possibility of using digital image classifiers for tomographic images concerning ductile iron castings. The results of this work can help the development of an efficient system suggestion allowing for decision making regarding the qualitative assessment of the casting process parameters. Special attention should be focused on the fact that automatic classification in the case of ductile iron castings is difficult to perform.

Dust Particle Counter for Powder Bed Fusion Process.

The paper presents a novel dust detector based on an innovative laser system that can be successfully used in applications where continuous dust monitoring is necessary. The measurements obtained with FeNi18Co9Mo5 (maraging MS1 steel) particles are compared with the particle fall times calculated using the Navier-Stokes equation. The measurement powder was subjected to sieve analysis and laser system detection.

Interfacial and Transport Phenomena between Liquid Metal and Solid Structural Materials.

Research activities in materials science typically range from basic and curiosity-motivated research to that which is applications-oriented, and the well-known Materials Science paradigm is usually followed: Processing → Microstructure → Properties → Performance [...

Technological Optimization of the Stirrup Casting Process with the Use of Computer Simulations.

The article presents the optimization of high-pressure die casting process technology for equestrian stirrups with the application of computer simulation. In the initial stage, the output technology was analyzed, and on the basis of a series of virtual experiments the cause of defects in the casting was highlighted. The optimization process includes different designs of a gating system.

Sulfhemoglobin under the spotlight - Detection and characterization of SHb and HbFe-SH.

Sulfhemoglobinemia is an incurable disease caused by an overdose of sulfur-containing drugs with oxidizing properties. Its diagnosis remains hindered due to the similarity of symptoms to other pathological state - methemoglobinemia, as well as contradictory information on the structure and characteristics of sulfhemoglobin. Herein, we present sulfhemoglobinemia model on living functional human erythrocytes, designed to recreate processes which could take place in a patient body in order to complement missing information and highlight distinctiveness of two hemoglobin (Hb) adducts formed after interaction with sulfur donors.

Synergistic Effect of Work Function and Acoustic Impedance Mismatch for Improved Thermoelectric Performance in GeTe-WC Composite.

The preparation of composite materials is a promising methodology for concurrent optimization of electrical and thermal transport properties for improved thermoelectric (TE) performance. This study demonstrates how the acoustic impedance mismatch (AIM) and the work function of components decouple the TE parameters to achieve enhanced TE performance of the (1-)GeMnSbTe-()WC composite. The simultaneous increase in the electrical conductivity (σ) and Seebeck coefficient (α) with WC (tungsten carbide) volume fraction () results in an enhanced power factor (ασ) in the composite.

Effect of the Type of Inorganic Binder on the Microstructure and Properties of AlSi7Mg Alloy Castings Made by Ablation Casting Technology.

The results of studies on the effect that the type of binder and casting technology exert on the microstructure and properties of AlSi7Mg alloy castings are discussed in this paper. Comparative tests were carried out on three casting manufacturing technologies, i.e.

The Influence of Polycaprolactone on Structural Changes of Dusts from Molding Sands with Resin-Based Binder before and after the Biodegradation Process.

Resin-based binders are one of the main materials used in foundry molding and core sands. This work adds to the research on self-curing sands with furfuryl resin, which dominates in the production of large-size castings. The work concerns the possibility of using biodegradable polymers as a component of resin-based binders.

Influence of Al/Ti Ratio and Ta Concentration on the As-Cast Microstructure, Phase Composition, and Phase Transformation Temperatures of Lost-Wax Ni-Based Superalloy Castings.

The as-cast microstructure, alloying element segregation, solidification behavior, and thermal stability of model superalloys based on Inconel 740 with various Al/Ti ratios (0.7, 1.5, 3.

Assessment of the Quality and Mechanical Parameters of Castings Using Machine Learning Methods.

The aim of the work is to investigate the effectiveness of selected classification algorithms and their extensions in assessing microstructure of castings. Experiments were carried out in which the prepared algorithms and machine learning methods were tested in various conditions and configurations, as well as for various input data, which are photos of castings (photos of the microstructure) or information about the material (e.g.

Sex-Specific Differences of Adenosine Triphosphate Levels in Red Blood Cells Isolated From ApoE/LDLR Double-Deficient Mice.

In this study for the first time, we investigated the correlation between sex-specific differences in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in red blood cells (RBCs) and their mechanical, biochemical, and morphological alterations during the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLR double-deficient (ApoE/LDLR) mice. Our results indicate that both sex and age affect alterations in RBCs of both ApoE/LDLR and C57BL/6J mice. When compared with male RBCs, female RBCs were characterized by lower basal ATP and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), higher hemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), deformability, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure levels, regardless of age in both, ApoE/LDLR and C57BL/6J mice.

Effect of the Biodegradable Component Addition to the Molding Sand on the Microstructure and Properties of Ductile Iron Castings.

In this work, the results of the examinations of the effect of the mold material and mold technology on the microstructure and properties of the casts parts of ductile cast iron have been presented. Four different self-hardening molding sands based on fresh silica sand from Grudzen Las, with organic binders (no-bake process), were used to prepare molds for tested castings. A novelty is the use of molding sand with a two-component binder: furfuryl resin-polycaprolactone PCL biomaterial.

Properties of Microplasma Coating on AZ91 Magnesium Alloy Prepared from Electrolyte with and without the Borax Addition.

Magnesium alloys, due to their unique properties, low density and high strength properties, are becoming more frequently used in industrial applications. However, a limitation of their use may be the need to ensure high abrasive wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Therefore, magnesium alloys are often protected by applying protective coatings.

Manganese and Aluminium Recovery from Ferromanganese Slag and Al White Dross by a High Temperature Smelting-Reduction Process.

The recovery of Mn and Al from two industrial waste of ferromanganese and aluminum production processes was investigated via implementing a high temperature smelting-aluminothermic reduction process. The experiments were carried out with or without CaO flux addition, and two dross qualities. It was observed that the prepared mixtures of the materials yield homogeneous metal and slag products in terms of chemical composition and the distribution of phases.

Preliminary Studies on Rare Elements Addition and Effect on Oxidation Behaviour of Pack Cementation Coatings Deposited on Variety of Steels at High Temperature.

The aim of the paper was to investigate the air oxidation behaviour of pack aluminised steels exposed at 650 °C for 1000 h in static natural air atmosphere. The pack coatings were doped by rare elements such as gadolinium (Gd), cerium oxide (CeO), and lanthanum (La) in order to enhance the corrosion resistance and plasticity of the deposited layers. In this work, the following steels were used: 16M, T91, VM12, Super 304H, and finally SANICRO25.

Towards Raman-Based Screening of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Type B (B-ALL) Subtypes.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of malignant neoplasms in the pediatric population. B-cell precursor ALLs (BCP-ALLs) are derived from the progenitors of B lymphocytes. Traditionally, risk factors stratifying therapy in ALL patients included age at diagnosis, initial leukocytosis, and the response to chemotherapy.

High Performance Valve Seat Materials for CNG Powered Combustion Engines.

The conventional copper infiltrated high speed steel (HSS) valve seats used in gasoline engines are not suitable for CNG combustion because the exhaust gas temperature is at least 80 °C higher, which drastically shortens the service life of the engine valves. Therefore, a proprietary high-alloy HSS-base material was designed to combat hot corrosion and mechanical wear of valve seat faces in CNG fuelled engines. A batch of -100 mesh water atomized HSS powder was commissioned.

Fabrication of the Zirconium Diboride-Reinforced Composites by a Combination of Planetary Ball Milling, Turbula Mixing and Spark Plasma Sintering.

The aim of this study was to carry out the consolidation of zirconium diboride-reinforced composites using the SPS technique. The effect of the adopted method of powder mixture preparation (mixing in Turbula or milling in a planetary mill) and of the reinforcing phase content and sintering temperature on the microstructure, physical properties, strength and tribological properties of sintered composites was investigated. Experimental data showed that the maximum relative density of 94%-98% was obtained for the composites sintered at 1100 °C.