CABAS: a freely available PC program for fitting calibration curves in chromosome aberration dosimetry

The aim of biological dosimetry is to estimate the dose and the associated uncertainty to which an accident victim was exposed. This process requires the use of the maximum-likelihood method for fitting a calibration curve, a procedure that is not implemented in most statistical computer programs. Several laboratories have produced their own programs, but these are frequently not user-friendly and not available to outside users. We developed a software for fitting a linear-quadratic dose-response relationship by the method of maximum-likelihood and for estimating a dose from the number of aberrations observed. The program called as CABAS consists of the main curve-fitting and dose estimating module and modules for calculating the dose in cases of partial body exposure, for estimating the minimum number of cells necessary to detect a given dose of radiation and for calculating the dose in the case of a protracted exposure. The program is freely available at http://www.pu.kielce.pl/ibiol/cabas.     

Study of electrolyte effects on electrochemical synthesis and p-doping of poly(thienyl biphenyl) films

The electrochemical synthesis and charging–discharging process of a copolymer consisting of 3-octylthiophene (3-OT) and biphenyl units have been studied in different electrolytic media. The polymer material has been characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic methods: cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), chronopotentiometry, chronoamperometry and FTIR spectroscopy. The diffusion coefficients of different ions in poly(thienyl biphenyl) (PTB) films have been determined by chronoamperometry and compared with corresponding values in poly(3-octylthiophene) (POT) and poly(paraphenylene) (PPP). The best electrolytic conditions for synthesis of poly(thienyl biphenyl) concerning the copolymer structure was found to be in 0.1 M lithium hexafluoro arsenate (LiAsF₆) in acetonitrile. In this electrolyte solution, the content of phenylene segments compared to thienylene segments is highest resulting in a higher degree of cross-linking compared with films made in the presence of the other electrolyte salts studied.     

Students' abilities to evaluate the credibility of online texts: The role of internet-specific epistemic justifications

Previous evaluation studies have rarely used authentic online texts and investigated upper secondary school students' use of evaluation criteria and deep reasoning. The associations between internet-specific epistemic justifications for knowing and credibility evaluation of online texts are not yet fully understood among adolescents. This study investigated upper secondary school students' (N = 372) abilities to evaluate self-selected authentic online texts and the role of internet-specific epistemic justifications in students' evaluation performance when solving a health-related information problem. Students selected three texts with Google Custom Search Engine and evaluated their credibility. Students' evaluation performance across the three texts was determined according to the different aspects evaluated (author, venue, intentions, evidence and corroboration) and the depth of their evaluations. Students also filled in the Internet-Specific Epistemic Justifications (ISEJ) inventory previously validated with pre-service teachers. The results revealed considerable differences in students' abilities to evaluate online texts. Students' beliefs in justification by authority and justification by multiple sources positively predicted their evaluation performance similarly in both topics. The findings suggest that the ISEJ inventory is also valid for upper secondary school students. Students should be explicitly taught to evaluate different credibility aspects and scaffolded to deeply engage with online information.     

Solventless processing of modified poly(vinyl fluoride) and its properties

The properties of fluorocarbon plastics have made them very desirable for numerous new applications. The DALVOR X-6500 series of fluoropolymers can be easily fabricated without the use of solvents. General compound information, including pigmentation, lubrication, and rheology data, is presented as well as chemical resistance, weathering, and electrical data. Processing parameters for producing both flat and blown films are given, along with recommended types of equipment. Data are presented on fluid bed coating and various other applications are discussed.     

A working formulation for the standardization of nomenclature and for clinical staging of chronic dysfunction in lung allografts. International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

A clinically applicable, standardized method for assessing functional results after lung transplantation is required to evaluate factors that may affect long-term outcome, to permit comparison of results from different centers, and to evaluate results of clinical trials. An ad hoc working group was established under the auspices of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation for the purpose of developing such a clinically applicable system. Chronic allograft dysfunction is often associated with pathologic findings of obliterative bronchiolitis, the cause of which has not been defined. Physiologically, such dysfunction is associated with obstructive airways disease. The group concluded that the forced expiratory volume in 1 second was the most reliable and consistent indicator of graft dysfunction, excluding other identifiable causes. The term bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome was adopted to describe such dysfunction, recognizing that there may or may not be pathologic evidence of bronchiolitis obliterans present. Four stages of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome were defined, each with two subcategories to indicate whether pathologic evidence of obliterative bronchiolitis had been identified. This working formulation will require reappraisal in the future to reassess its practical application and to make such adjustments as may seem appropriate.     

Thermophysical Property Measurements of Liquid and Supercooled Iridium by Containerless Methods

Thermophysical properties of equilibrium and supercooled liquid iridium were measured using noncontact diagnostic techniques in an electrostatic levitator. Over the 2300–3000 K temperature range, the density can be expressed as ρ (T)=19.5×10³ − 0.85(T− T_m) (kg·m⁻³) with T_m=2719 K. The volume expansion coefficient is given by 4.4 × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹. In addition, the surface tension can be expressed as γ (T)=2.23 × 10³ − 0.17(T−T_m)(10⁻³N·m⁻¹) over the 2373–2833 K span and the viscosity as η(T)=1.85 exp [3.0× 10⁴/(RT)](10⁻³Pa·s) over the same temperature range.     

Development and validation of a novel portable slip simulator

The objective was to develop, construct and validate a portable device suitable for measurements of pedestrian slip resistance in situ. The developed device proved to be precise enough and easy to use. The dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) values measured by it showed strong correlation (r> or = 0.990, p < 0.001) with the values measured by the force platform used as a reference. In addition, the measured DCOF values were in good consistency with those obtained when using the older laboratory device of the Institute, the slip simulator. Based on the use of the new, developed device it can be concluded that accurate friction measurements with actual footwear can be performed even with a moderate-sized but portable device. The developed slipmeter will be used to measure slipperiness of various walking surface conditions, e.g. at different work places and in walkways, in the near future.     

Fabrication of thin wall cylindrical shells by sputtering

In this paper we describe the process used to grow thin wall cylindrical shells by sputtering. The shells are grown on both sacrificial aluminum and reusable stainless steel mandrels. The post-deposition process used to remove the shells from the mandrels is described. The effects of deposition conditions and post-deposition treatment on crystallographic structure are presented. Comparisons of sputtered shells are made with conventionally machined shells with respect to crystallography, dimensional uniformity and performance. Some test results of sputtered thin wall cylindrical shells used as pressure-sensing elements are given.