Linear correlation between pH value of stimulated beef and electrical current intensity

The aim of the present study was to determine mathematical relationships between pH changes in beef 24 h post-slaughter and changes in the intensity of electrical current flowing through bull and heifer carcasses during high-voltage electrical stimulation. The electrical stimulation was applied 40 min postmortem for 120 s. The pH values of m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum were analyzed in the function of electrical current intensity changes and its change during electrical stimulation. Mathematical linear correlations of the y = ax ± b type were demonstrated between pH values at 2, 6, and 24 h postmortem and the initial (I_i) and ultimate (I_u) electrical current intensity values, the difference between them and the initial pH values determined before electrical stimulation. High multiple correlation coefficients (R² = 0.416, α ≤ 0.001) between I_u and pH values 24 h post-slaughter enabled concluding that there is a possibility to predict a pH value of stimulated carcass with high accuracy, and thus also beef quality, based merely on the ultimate electrical current intensity values.     

Iron(II) Sulfate(VI) from Titania Production as a Raw Material for Preparation of Hydrogen Sulfide Sorbents

A hybrid sorbent material for removal of hydrogen sulfide from air was developed. The material is based on activated carbon and iron compounds obtained from waste iron(II) sulfate(VI) heptahydrate. The iron salt is deposited on the carbonaceous support and subjected to oxidation (Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺) using atmospheric oxygen under alkaline conditions. An effect of H₂O₂ addition to the process on the composition of the resultant material was also examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed easy conversion of waste FeSO₄·7H₂O to iron oxides Fe₃O₄ and FeOOH. The activated carbon supporting iron oxides revealed a higher efficiency in H₂S elimination from air compared to the commercial activated carbon, without any modification.     

A generalization of the octonion Fourier transform to 3-D octonion-valued signals: properties and possible applications to 3-D LTI partial differential systems

Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing - The paper is devoted to the development of the octonion Fourier transform (OFT) theory initiated in 2011 in articles by Hahn and Snopek. It is also...     

A universal dependence for thermal conductivity of metals and dilute alloys

A universal curve relating the maximum of thermal conductivity and its respective temperature with the residual electrical resistivity has been proposed for metals and dilute alloys. Based on the equation of that curve, a comparative analysis of selected literature data of thermal conductivity of metals, which have residual electrical resistivity in the range 10^–11<₀<10^–5. cm, have been performed. Using the data for 33 metals, confirmation of the Wiedemann-Franz law for the impurity component/T of thermal conductivity was obtained, which means that _th/_el1, where _th and _el are the parameters of the electron-lattice defect interaction obtained from measurements of thermal and electrical conductivity, respectively. Examples of the failure of the Wiedemann-Franz law are also presented, exhibiting the values of _th/_el in the range 0.16 to 25. Measurements of thermal conductivity in the range 2 to 20 K and determination of the residual electrical resistivity for the samples of Cd doped with Zn and quenched were performed, resulting in values _th/_el1.     

Reactive path integral quantum simulations of molecules solvated in superfluid helium

A hybrid ab initio   path integral molecular dynamics/bosonic path integral Monte Carlo simulation method has been developed, implemented and tested, which allows for the reactive simulations of molecules, clusters or complexes solvated by superfluid ⁴${}^4$He. The simulation takes into account “on-the-fly” the electronic structure and thus the chemical reactivity of the solutes, in conjunction with the Bose–Einstein statistics, and thus the superfluid character of this peculiar solvent. This enables investigations into cryochemical reactions taking place in helium nanodroplets, such as those used in helium nanodroplet isolation (HENDI) spectroscopy.     

Applying the boundary element method to electrochemical calculations of primary current distribution

The computation of primary current distribution using the boundary element method has been analysed. A numerical example has been included. Values obtained numerically have been compared with those obtained experimentally. A fairly good accuracy has been observed. Some computational problems occurring when using the boundary element method for electrochemical problems have been discussed.     

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Dam Projects: The Perspectives of Resettled and Non-resettled Communities

The research focuses on the perception of the Mucharz reservoir in relation to costs and benefits for two types of communities. The primary aim of the paper is to compare the social impact of dam projects among both resettled and non-resettled local communities. The secondary aim of the paper is to test multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) as a tool to examine the social impact assessment (SIA) of dam projects. The studied dam is located on the Skawa River within the Polish Carpathians. We used in-depth interviews with a non-resettled (N?=?96) and resettled (N?=?57) local population. To analyse the collected data, we performed multivariate analysis of variance. The main results indicate that the social assessment of dam projects differs significantly depending on whether one belongs to the group of resettled or non-resettled population. MANOVA is an effective tool for the analysis of the social impact assessment (SIA) of dam projects.

     

Non-local line method for notched elements with use of effective length calculated in an elasto-plastic condition

The paper presents a non-local line method used to the fatigue life calculation of notched elements. The presented method is based on the concept of an effective length which determines the size of the equivalent fatigue zone. Effective values of normal stress calculated in the critical plane with a weight function were applied when determining the equivalent fatigue zone. Simulation studies were performed for two types of steel and two types of loading. Five different series of tests and simulations were used. Experimental studies were carried out for 40 HM-T and EA4T steels. These materials are used in railway industry, including the manufacturing of coupling bars. The notched test specimens contained notches with a tip radius of 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1 mm. Stress calculations were performed using the finite element method by adopting cyclic material properties described by the model of a multi-linear hardening. Non-local calculations were performed in a defined critical plane for normal stress distribution and a weight function. As a result, the function of variation of the effective length depending on the loading level and geometry of the notch has been determined.