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In the paper, we demonstrate a series of azobenzene polyimides with azomoieties located in the main chain for potential applications as membranes for controlled gas separation. Since azobenzene derivatives can exist in two forms, that is, thermodynamically stable trans and photoinduced cis, both isomers can be utilized for membrane preparation. The long term stability of the cis form is a precondition for such an application. Thus, the effect of polymer structure on the stability of cis-trans isomerization process in polymer films was investigated. The prepared azopolymers exhibited high stability of cis isomers and the return cis-trans reaction was not completed during 7 days after switching off the excitation light (405 nm). The stability of the cis-trans isomerization was discussed in the context of the fragility parameter. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time when the main chain azopolymer was tested as a membrane for the gas separation. Two types of azomembranes, that is, bearing azobenzene derivatives as trans, and cis isomers and a reference membrane without azochromophore were prepared. Our investigations showed that the presence of trans-azomoieties increases the permeability of the gases (N2, O2, He and CO2) in comparison to the reference polyimide and that the permeability increase is not accompanied by any losses of the selectivity.

In this paper we present the development of a photonic integrated circuit on InP with an array of antenna-integrated uni-travelling carrier photodiodes to increase the output power levels. Fabricated device consists of a single optical input and monolithically integrated optical power splitter. Due to fabrication issues the contact resistance was considerably above the expected values of 50 ohm and consequently recorded output power is much lower than expected. Nevertheless, the free-space emission of a 50 GHz signal has been successfully demonstrated as a proof of concept.

WprowadzenieUkłady wielokompartmentowe, w których dawka substancji leczniczej jest rozdzielona między nośniki (liposomy, mikrosfery, mikrokapsułki, nanokapsułki), otwierają nowe możliwości w uzyskaniu przedłużonego lub kontrolowanego uwalniania substancji leczniczej. Mikrosfery to monolityczne, porowate lub gładkie cząstki sferyczne o wielkości 1–500 µm, w których substancja lecznicza jest zawieszona, inkorporowana, rzadziej emulgowana w matrycy polimerowej. Celem pracy było sporządzenie mikrosfer zawierających losartan potasu i Eudragit L 100-55 jako matrycę polimerową, a następnie tabletek rozpadających się w jamie ustnej (orally disintegrating tablets – ODTs) z otrzymanymi mikrosferami.MetodyMikrosfery o stosunku lek : polimer 1 : 1 i 1 : 2 otrzymano metodą suszenia rozpyłowego w następujących warunkach: temperatura na wlocie 150°C, wydajność aspiratora 80% oraz wydajność pompy 10%. Morfologia i wielkość mikrosfer oceniana była mikroskopowo. Tabletki zawierające mikrosfery z losartanem wykonano metodą tabletkowania bezpośredniego. Otrzymane ODTs oceniano zgodnie z wymogami Farmakopei Polskiej X (FPX) dla tej postaci leku. Analizę statystyczną przeprowadzono za pomocą programu Statistica 10.1.WynikiOtrzymane ODTs spełniały normy wyglądu, wielkości i jednolitości masy. Czas rozpadu ODTs nie przekraczał wymaganych 3 min. W przypadku analizy uwalniania losartanu dla mikrosfer o stosunku lek : polimer 1 : 1 w 0,1 M roztworu kwasu solnego (HCl) maksymalna ilość substancji czynnej (21%) uwolniła się w 60 minucie. Po 120 min proces kontynuowano w sztucznym soku jelitowym (pH = 6,8), w którym losartan uwolnił się całkowicie w czasie 270 min. W przypadku mikrosfer 1 : 2 w 0,1 M HCl maksymalna ilość losartanu (36%) uwolniła się w 90 minucie, a dalsze uwalnianie w sztucznym soku jelitowym wykazało uwolnienie 99,43% substancji czynnej w czasie 300 min.WnioskiModelowe mikrosfery z losartanem potasu mogą być wykorzystane jako pośrednia postać leku do stworzenia ODTs.

The gas transport properties of the mixed matrix membranes (MMM) prepared from the synthesized, structurally different poly(hydroxyimide)s (HPI) and mesoporous MCM-41 silica particles were investigated. The both series of filled and unfilled precursors were used to obtain and examine thermally rearranged (TR) polybenzoxazoles (PBO). The effect of a number and position of hydroxyl groups in HPI chains as well as that of filler presence on TR conversion was studied using FTIR, DSC, TGA, WAXD, SEM, mechanical testing, and density measurements. With 7 wt% of MCM-41 silica, gas permeability of the filled HPI precursors and that of the respective filled PBOs increased 1.5–2.2 and 4.4–15.1 times, respectively, comparing to the neat HPIs. The permeability increase along with relatively low loss of gas selectivity for filled membranes shift them towards the upper bound demonstrating that incorporation of porous fillers into polybenzoxazoles precursors can be a new approach to improve membrane performance.

Novel triphenylmethane-based polyimides and copolyimides were synthesized by polycondensation reaction of 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride) with a triphenylmethane-based diamine, or an equimolar mixture of 4,4′-oxydianiline and triphenylmethane-based diamine, via conventional two-step procedure. Three novel diamines were developed as well, being obtained from ortho-toluidine and one of the following aldehydes: benzaldehyde, 4-bromobenzaldehyde or 4-fluorobenzaldehyde. The relationship between the macromolecular structural motif and physical properties of the synthesized polymers was investigated in detail, with emphasis on thermal transitions and stability, dielectric behavior, molecular disorder, mechanical toughness and gas separation performance. The amorphous, free-standing, tough and defectless films prepared from these polymers showed excellent thermal stability, their decomposition starting above 425 °C. For all polymer films which were subjected to dielectric properties measurements, the variation of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity with frequency and temperature was measured and discussed. The values of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss were measured at room temperature and in the frequency domain from 1 Hz to 1 MHz, and the obtained results proved the beneficial effect of fluoro and bromo graphting on the dielectric constant reduction. The dielectric spectroscopy data showed distinct γ and β subglass transitions at lower activation energies for copolyimides compared to polyimides, suggesting that the incorporation of the co-monomer diamino-diphenyl ether allows faster motions of the small molecules, but hinders the mobility of charge carriers. The permeability of several gases through these membrane-forming materials were measured and discussed with respect to the structural variations in the polymer repeating unit.

Surface current data collected with a high frequency radar system in the summers of 2014 and 2015 in the coastal waters of the Barents Sea (Porsangerfjord) have been analyzed. Application of a least-squares fit coupled with nodal modulation enabled separation of tidal and residual currents. The most important tidal component was M2 (semidiurnal lunar, period of 12.42 h) and the second largest one was S2 (principal solar semidiurnal, period of 12 h). Residual currents were significantly influenced by winds. The relationship between winds and currents is complicated, since wind speed, direction, and fetch are highly variable. The data reveal a significant contribution from inertial currents to residuals. Forcing of surface currents by winds resulted in more frequent measurements of stronger residual currents in situations when wind speeds were higher. Stronger winds and residual currents were most often associated with winds blowing from west to east. The most frequent residual direction was to the right by 10–30° in comparison to the wind azimuth. Freshwater runoff to the fjord influences the vertical distribution of water salinity. Due to runoff, surface water transport is on average directed out of the fjord, but its variability on synoptic time scales is governed by winds.

BACKGROUND Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is a standard treatment for patients who are unable to empty the bladder. In the absence of the urethra or if catheterization through the urethra is problematic, a continent vesicostomy is used as a catheterizable conduit. The Malone procedure is an established treatment option for children with neurogenic constipation and fecal incontinence. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to report the authors' experience with continent catheterizable conduits (CCCs) in children, to review the results and to determine the efficacy of the technique, with an emphasis on continence and the need for revision. MATERIAL AND METHODS The retrospective study involved children who underwent catheterizable conduit procedures from 2000 to 2015. Two kinds of continent stomas were performed: Mitrofanoff vesicostomies for CIC and Malone antegrade continence enemas (MACEs). The 115 patients treated included 66 girls and 49 boys. A total of 134 operations were performed; 62 were Mitrofanoff vesicostomies and 72 were Malone appendicostomies. In 19 cases, both Mitrofanoff and Malone appendicostomies were formed out of 1 appendix divided into 2 parts. In 5 children vesicocutaneous stomas were constructed using Monti's procedure, and in 1 it was constructed from an intussuscepted ileal loop. In 27 patients Malone procedures were performed laparoscopically. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 8.6 years. There was no serious morbidity in relation to the surgery. In 9 children local wound infection was noted, and in 9 others stomal stenosis developed. Out of the 62 children with catheterizable vesicostomies, 59 were continent. The MACE procedure was successful in all 72 patients; problems with constipation and fecal incontinence were resolved in all cases. None of the laparoscopies needed conversion. CONCLUSIONS Continent catheterizable conduits help patients achieve both fecal and urinary continence. Laparoscopy is effective in performing the Malone procedure. Stoma-related complications could be avoided using end-to-side appendix anastomoses to the skin. Stomal incontinence is rare even when a simplified technique is employed, using the appendix without cecoplication.

Mixed matrix membranes (MMM) containing 13X zeolite particles were prepared to study the impact of hydrophilic inorganic component on membrane gas and water vapor transport properties. Rubbery ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), and glassy polysulfone (PSF) varying in permeability were selected as membrane matrices. The incorporation of 13X decreased gas permeability of all MMMs and had only a marginal effect on ideal selectivity (e.g. 20 wt% loading reduced N2 permeability by 21%, 19%, and 4% for PSF, EVA, and HNBR, respectively). The observed trend was in agreement with the diminished free volume size obtained from the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) measurements suggesting pore blockage. In contrary, water vapor permeability through all MMMs was significantly enhanced by zeolite filling (e.g. 30 wt% loading increased H2O permeability by 153%, 34%, and 22% for PSF, EVA, and HNBR, respectively). This was explained as due to the increased water solubility documented by the sorption results, that compensates for the effect of the reduced water diffusivity in MMMs. The variations in MMMs permeabilities were also found to depend on zeolite particle size and its porosity. Two opposite effects were noticed of increased water vapor permeability and decreased gas permeability for MMMs filled with smaller but more porous particles. The water permeation through PSF based membranes may cause debonding at the particle/matrix interface and deterioration of the MMMs properties as indicated by their enhanced gas permeability and reduced selectivity.

In this paper we report a broadband photonics-based transmitter module for wireless communications in the E-Band frequency range (60 - 90 GHz). It is composed of a highspeed Uni-Traveling Carrier Photodiode (UTC-PD) coupled to a highly directive (14 dBi) broadband planar end-fire antenna using hybrid optoelectronic integration. Measurements show that the proposed emitter module yields a maximum radiated power of -6 dBm and a 3-dB frequency bandwidth of almost 30 GHz, widest ever achieved for an E-band device of this kind. Finally, we demonstrate the performance with an error-free 3 Gbps real-time data transmission wireless link. The novel approach presented enables further development towards the realization of a planar photonic phased antenna array.

In this paper we present a novel scalable photonics-based emitter array, featuring uni-travelling carrier photodiodes and high gain planar antennas in 50 – 120 GHz frequency range. The proposed emitter provides a record 3-dB bandwidth of 45 GHz, covering three waveguide bands (V, E and F). In addition, a combined radiated power of 230 $\mu$ W is achieved.

This paper presents two series of azopolyimide membranes containing 4-[4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)phenylazo]benzene. The azobenzene groups are located as either covalently-bonded side groups or molecularly dispersed in polymer (host) matrix. The prepared azopolyimides exhibit a high stability of cis isomers, where the return reaction from cis to trans is not completed 7 days after switching off the excitation light. The incorporation of azo moieties as both side-chain groups and a dispersion in a polymer matrix decreases membrane gas permeability while increasing or maintaining selectivity for O2/N2, He/N2, and CO2/N2 gas pairs. The advantage of the azopolymers is the large difference in their permeability for CO2 and O2 after light irradiation (permeability changes up to 29%). These large light-induced changes in the permeability of trans- and cis-azomembranes along with a slow reversible cis-trans reaction may be of interest for use in applications where long-term stability of photoinduced properties is necessary i.e. for control dosing of gases.

This work focuses on the thorough investigation of structure–assisted multifunctional properties of some poly(amide-imide-sulfone) films specifically designed to meet the technological needs. In this respect, the influence of structural parameters onto mechanical, optical, dielectric and gas transport properties was deeply explored along with some general characteristics, like chemical integrity, thermal stability and solid-state packing. The understudy tough and flexible films featuring amorphous state displayed good mechanical behavior, withstanding repeating bending or rolling. The sulfone groups reduced the charge transfer complex formation, and in some cases, increased transparency. The permittivity, dielectric loss and conductivity and their variation with frequency and temperature were studied along with γ and β secondary relaxations originating from small- and large-scale segmental motions. The permeability of CO2, O2 and N2 through these dense films along with diffusion and solubility coefficients and respective selectivities were measured and discussed in relation with the structural parameters.

A series of new poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based copolyimides varying in hard segment structure are reported in this work as CO2 selective separation membranes. Their structural diversity was achieved by using different aromatic dianhydrides (4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), 4,4’-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)) and diamines (4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA), 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidene-diphenyl-1,1′- diyldioxy)dianiline (IPrDA), 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (4MPD)), while keeping the content of PEO (2000 g/mol) constant (around 50%). To get a better insight into the effects of hard segment structure on gas transport properties, a series of aromatic polyimides with the same chemistry was also studied. Both series of polymers were characterized by 1HNMR, FTIR, WAXD, DSC, TGA, and AFM. Permeabilities for pure He, O2, N2, and CO2 were determined at 6 bar and at 30 °C, and for CO2 for pressures ranging from 1 to 10 bar. The results show that OPDA-ODA-PEO is the most permeable copolyimide, with CO2 permeability of 52 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 63, in contrast to its fully aromatic analogue, which was the least permeable among polyimides. 6FDA-4MPD-PEO ranks second, with a two times lower CO2 permeability and slightly lower selectivity, although 6FDA-4MPD was over 900 times more permeable than OPDA-ODA. As an explanation, partial filling of hard domain free voids by PEO segments and imperfect phase separation were proposed.

We study the salt effect on the excited state proton transfer (ESPT) in the fluorescent probe of 2-hydroxynaphthalene (dodecylo)-6-sulphonamide (NSDA) anchored on the nonionic Brij35 micelles. The results of spectrofluorimetric, electrophoretic and equilibrium dialysis measurements, allowed us to explain the variations in the ESPT rate constants in the presence of different neutral salts (NaCl, KCl, KSCN, NH 4 SCN) as resulting from anion accumulation at the particle surface. Similarly to electric double layer in the charged micelles, an ionic layer system is also formed around the nonionic micelles. The dimensions of anionic and cationic layers as well as those of the whole ionic envelope around the nonionic particles are estimated. Furthermore, the electric potential generated within the ionic layer system and acting on the proton dissociating from the probe is determined and interpreted. Different impact of Cl − and SCN − ions on photophysical parameters of the targeted system have been explained through a synergy effect between hydrophobicity and polarizability of anions adsorbing on the nonionic micelle surface.Taking into account the existing analogy between micelles and living cells, we can assume that these results will contribute to a better understanding of salt effect in such important biological phenomena as the cell adhesion to surfaces, thermal denaturation of proteins and the aggregation of erythrocytes.

We describe surface currents in the Porsanger fjord (Porsangerfjorden) located in the European Arctic in the vicinity of the Barents Sea. Our analysis is based on surface current data collected in the summer of 2014 using High Frequency (WERA, Helzel Messtechnik GmbH) radar system. One of our objectives was to separate out the tidal from the nontidal components of the currents and to determine the most important tidal constituents. Tides in the Porsanger fjord are substantial, with tidal range on the order of about 3 m. Tidal analysis attributes to tides about 99% of variance in sea level time series recorded in Honningsvaag. The most important tidal component in sea level data is the M2 component, with amplitude of ~90 cm. The S2 and N2 constituents (amplitude of ~20 cm) also play a significant role in the semidiurnal sea level oscillations. The most important diurnal component is K1 with amplitude of about 8 cm. The most important tidal component in analyzed surface currents records is the M2 component. The second most important component is the S2. Our results indicate that in contrast to sea level, only about 10-30% of variance in surface currents can be attributed to tidal currents. This means that about 70-90% of variance is due to wind-induced and geostrophic currents.

In this study we present a novel and simple approach to improve the gas separation performance of the thermally rearranged membranes, which involves doping the polyimide precursors (HPI) with ionic liquid (IL), and carrying out its degradation along with the conversion process to polybenzoxazole (PBO) in order to facilitate the formation of larger and /or more numerous free volumes. A series of aromatic (co)poly(hydroxyimide)s based on 6FDA and HAB/4MPD diamines in different molar ratios, as well as BPADA-HAB poly(hydroxyimide) were synthesized as the precursors to be doped with IL and thermally rearranged to PBO. The structural modifications of the precursor backbone were applied to study the impact of IL on the physical properties, thermal conversion process, as well as gas transport properties of the doped polymers with different chain rigidities. The pure and IL doped (co)polyimides and their thermally rearranged counterparts were characterized by WAXD, DSC, TGA, tensile tests, and PALS, and examined in pure gas permeation experiments. TR conversion temperature was considerably reduced by IL doping (e.g. by 126 °C). This effect depended on the precursor chemical structure and the IL content. After thermal rearrangement of the IL doped HPIs, the membrane permeability to gases increased significantly compared to the un-doped analogues (e.g. 2 fold increase for O2 permeability). The permeability increase was larger for the higher IL content and the precursor chain rigidity. This was accompanied by a relatively small loss in selectivity leading to the performance shift towards the 2008 upper bound. The differences in permeability among the samples correlated with the free volume size from PALS. In particular, a very good correlation was obtained (r2 = 0.958), when the data fitted to the Cohen-Turnbull model concerned only PBO samples with low cohesive energy density. Further studies on HPIs doped with IL with lower degradation temperatures are suggested to mitigate polymer degradation and explore this new method for the design of improved gas separation membrane materials.

In this study, we explore the use of two kinds of inorganic sieves, microporous MFI zeolite and mesoporous MCM-41 silica, as fillers to enhance the gas transport characteristics of thermally rearranged (TR) poly(hydroxyimides) (HPI). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of these fillers to modify properties of TR HPIs, except for our previous research on MCM-41 filled HPIs based on BPADA dianhydride. In this work, 6FDA-HAB and BPADA-HAB varying in gas permeability and properties were selected as matrices for preparation of mixed matrix membranes (MMM) with the aim of studying the effect of both the kind of filler and a matrix on thermal rearrangement and properties of the resultant TR-MMMs. In addition to pure gas permeability measurements, HPIs and MMMs were examined by WAXD, SEM, TGA, DMA, and tensile tests before and after thermal rearrangement. For all MMM precursors, the permeability increased in proportion to the filler loading (e.g. by 1.2–4.4 times for O2) while selectivity remained virtually the same. The same effect of improved permeability and maintained selectivity was observed for the series of TR-MMMs; for example, TR-MMM based on 6FDA and filled with 7 wt% of MCM-41 exhibited 6.7 fold higher O2 permeability over its filled precursor. The permeation properties of the filled membranes showed a strong dependence on both the kind of matrix and filler. The addition of MCM-41 particles to BPADA-HAB increased permeability more than the incorporation of the similar amount of MFI ones, while the contrary was true for 6FDA-HAB. The best result, comprising the position on the upper bound for He/N2, has been achieved for 6FDA-HAB filled with 25 wt% of MFI, whereas its TR analogue showed the highest 20.4 fold permeability improvement.

TWstęp: Prewencja wtórna pozwala zmniejszyć odsetek umieralności z powodu chorób układu krążenia (ChUK). Kluczową rolę w tym zakresie odgrywa promocja zdrowia i kampanie profilaktyczne. Farmaceuci w myśl założeń „Dobrej Praktyki Farmaceutycznej” powinni być w nie czynnie zaangażowani. Zweryfikowano wiedzę studentów kierunku farmacja na temat zachowań prewencyjnych chorób sercowo-naczyniowych, znajomości norm ciśnienia tętniczego krwi i badań biochemicznych oraz ich wpływu na ryzyko wystąpienia ChUK. Zbadano także świadomość edukacyjnej roli farmaceuty w propagowaniu pro­zdrowotnego stylu życia pacjentów oraz doradztwie w zakresie zapobiegania ChUK.Materiały i metody: Badania przeprowadzono metodą sondażu diagnostycznego, wykorzystując autorski kwestionariusz ankiety, który wypełniło 156 studentów (123 kobiety i 33 mężczyzn) III i IV roku kierunku farmacja Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach. Wyniki: Badania profilaktyczne raz w roku wykonuje 11% kobiet oraz 3% mężczyzn. W ogóle badań profilaktycznych w kierunku ChUK nie wykonuje 37% kobiet oraz 39% mężczyzn. Prawidłową wartość ciśnienia tętniczego krwi podało 94% kobiet i 97% mężczyzn. Prawidłowe stężenie glukozy w osoczu krwi zna 77% kobiet oraz 58% mężczyzn. Prawidłowe stężenie cholesterolu całkowitego podało 43% kobiet i 42% mężczyzn. Ankietowani byli zdania, że magister farmacji powinien doradzać pacjentowi w zakresie zapobiegania ChUK (99% kobiet i 100% mężczyzn). Poddanie się badaniom profilaktycznym sugerowałoby pacjentom 82% kobiet i 82% mężczyzn, a wizytę u lekarza zaleciłoby 65% kobiet i 58% mężczyzn. Stwierdzenie, że magister farmacji w świetle obowiązujących przepisów może doradzać pacjentowi w zakresie zapobiegania ChUK, uznało 81% kobiet i 79% mężczyzn. Wnioski: Otrzymane wyniki sugerują, że wiedza o prewencji chorób sercowo-naczyniowych powinna być stale poszerzana w grupie studentów farmacji, a kształtowanie postaw pro­zdrowotnych należałoby uwzględnić również w edukacji szkół wyższych.

TWstęp: Do profilaktyki pierwotnej chorób układu krążenia należy promowanie zdrowego trybu życia, przez m.in. stosowanie zdrowej diety, zaprzestanie palenia czy regularne ćwiczenia fizyczne. Choroby układu krążenia (ChUK) są główną przyczyną wysokiej umieralności, przede wszystkim mężczyzn. Są to przewlekłe, wieloczynnikowe choroby, których etiopatogeneza wynika z oddziaływań między czynnikami środowiskowymi a genetycznymi. Celem pracy była ocena wiedzy studentów farmacji Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach (SUM) na temat czynników ryzyka ChUK. Materiały i metody: Do badań metodą sondażu diagnostycznego wykorzystano autorski kwestionariusz ankiety, który wypełniło 156 studentów farmacji SUM (123 kobiety i 33 mężczyzn; średni wiek 23,4 ±1,5 lata). Udział w ankiecie był dobrowolny i anonimowy. Analizę statystyczną przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem programu Statistica 12,0 (StatSoft Inc.). Wyniki: Do najważniejszych czynników ryzyka ChUK wskazanych przez ankietowanych studentów należą: nadwaga/otyłość (90% osób), nadciśnienie tętnicze (87%), stres (75%) oraz mała aktywność fizyczna (70%). Prawie wszyscy ankietowani (99%) znają zasady zdrowego żywienia, jednak tylko 38% je stosuje. Jedynie 15% respondentów pali papierosy (27% mężczyzn vs 11% kobiet, p = 0,03). Z kolei 57% studentów przyznało, że poziom ich aktywności fizycznej jest średni, natomiast 5% z nich nie ćwiczy wcale. Spożywanie alkoholu zadeklarowało 66% ankietowanych, przy czym nie wykazano różnic w podgrupach kobiet i mężczyzn. Wnioski: Najczęściej występującym czynnikiem ryzyka ChUK w ankietowanej grupie studentów jest palenie papierosów. Co trzeci ankietowany nie stosuje zasad zdrowego żywienia i wykazuje niski poziom aktywności fizycznej lub całkowity jej brak. Wydaje się, że ciągłe kształcenie w zakresie profilaktyki pierwotnej ChUK powinno dotyczyć każdego, również osób, które są lub będą związane zawodowo z medycyną.

Despite numerous applications of microspheres, few works devoted to the preparation of microspheres containing cardiac medications have been published. This study presents the potential of receiving microspheres containing losartan potassium, based on a matrix containing Eudragit L30D55. The study focuses on the possibilities of controlled release of losartan potassium from microspheres in order to reduce the dosage frequency, and also provides information on the effect of the addition of excipients to the quality of the microspheres. Microspheres are monolithic, porous or smooth microparticles ranging from 1 to 500 microns in size. For the preparation of microspheres containing losartan potassium, the spray-drying method was used. The performed study confirmed that the spray-drying technology used to obtain microspheres meets the criteria of size and morphology of the microparticles. The assessment of the kinetics of losartan potassium release from the examined microspheres demonstrated that the release profile followed the first- and/or zero-order kinetics. The use of spray-drying techniques as well as Eudragit L30D55 polymer matrix to obtain the microspheres containing losartan potassium makes it possible to obtain a product with the required particle morphology and particle size ensuring the release of the active substance up to 12 h.

Understanding the nature of interactions is regarded as one of the biggest challenges in projects related to complex adaptive systems. We discuss foundations for interactive computations in interactive intelligent systems (IIS), developed in the Wistech program and used for modeling complex systems. We emphasize the key role of risk management in problem solving by IIS. The considerations are based on experience gained in real-life projects concerning, e.g., medical diagnosis and therapy support, control of an unmanned helicopter, fraud detection algorithmic trading or fire commander decision support.

This study focuses on the blending technique as a successful approach to improve gas separation performance of a series of polyimide (PI) - polyamide (PA) miscible blends by breaking the trade-off rule. Also, it brings an insight into the physico-chemical characteristics of these blends which were discussed in correlation with the polymer blend composition and structural elements of each component. Thus, the blends were analyzed with respect to their miscibility, morphology, crystallinity, optical transparency, dielectric and mechanical properties. The dielectric spectroscopy and dynamo-mechanical analysis were used to evidence the overall and local chain mobility and their influence on primary and secondary relaxations. The dielectric constant and conductivity of polymer blends were found to be notably higher when compared to the reference PI, increasing with the PA quantity. The gas permeation behavior of the blends was evaluated with respect to the influence of PA content on performances. It was found that gas permeability increases with the rise of PA component, following the simple mixing rule with negative deviation for the highest PA content. The enhanced permeability was obtained with a minimum loss of selectivity. The blend with 50 wt% of PA offered the best option of increased permeability and preserved selectivity.

Two series of aromatic polyimides containing various linkage groups based on 2,7-bis(4-aminophenoxy)naphthalene or 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane and different aromatic dianhydrides, namely 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride), 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)bis(phthalic anhydride), 3,3′,4,4′ benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 9,9-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]fluorene dianhydride and 4,4′-(4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride), were synthesized and compared with regard to their thermal, mechanical and gas permeation properties. All these polymers showed high thermal stability with initial decomposition temperature in the range 475–525 °C and glass transition temperature between 208 and 286 °C. Also, the polymer films presented good mechanical characteristics with tensile strength in the range 60–91 MPa and storage modulus in the range 1700–2375 MPa. The macromolecular chain packing induced by dianhydride and diamine segments was investigated by examining gas permeation through the polymer films. The relationships between chain mobility and interchain distance and the obtained values for gas permeability are discussed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry

Information granules (infogranules, for short) are widely discussed in the literature. In particular, let us mention here the rough granular computing approach based on the rough set approach and its combination with other approaches to soft computing. However, the issues related to interactions of infogranules with the physical world and to perception of interactions in the physical world by infogranules are not well elaborated yet. On the other hand the understanding of interactions is the critical issue of complex systems. We propose to model complex systems by interactive computational systems (ICS) created by societies of agents. Computations in ICS are based on complex granules (c-granules, for short). In the paper we concentrate on some basic issues related to interactive computations based on c-granules performed by agents in the physical world.

The results of studies of the vertical gradient of aerosol concentration measurements made during cruises of r/v ‘Oceania’ between 2008 and 2012 are presented. Using the results from those experiments, sea spray emission fluxes were calculated for all particles of sizes in the range from 0.5 μm to 8 μm, as well as for particles of sizes from fifteen channels of 0.5 μm width. The information obtained was further used to calculate the Sea Salt Generation Function (SSGF) for the Baltic Sea depending on the wind speed and the aerosol size distribution.

The transport of gases through poly(ethylene- co -vinyl acetate) (EVA) of vinyl acetate (VAc) content ranging from 25 to 70 wt%, and through the respective EVA blends was studied. The both types of materials exhibited the same order of decreasing permeability CO 2 >He>O 2 >N 2 . However, the membranes prepared from EVA copolymers were found to be more permeable than those obtained from the blends, showing a maximum of P value at 46 wt% of VAc, while the composition dependence of P for the blends was observed to comply with a rule for miscible blends. The observed differences in permeation behavior were correlated with physical properties of the membrane materials such as density, T g , crystallinity, and FFV. All the membranes studied exhibited high selectivities ( α ) for CO 2 /N 2, and the low separation ability for O 2 /N 2 . The values of α for the blend materials were found to be larger than those for the copolymers with the same VAc content, and to increase more sharply with the increasing amount of VAc. These results indicate that polymer blends may offer advantages over single component polymer system in the approach of increasing membrane separation performance by using favorable interactions of polar groups with CO 2 .

A series of amorphous poly(etherimide)s (PEIs) was synthesized from 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidene-diphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride) and different diamines or from 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidene-diphenyl-1,1′-diyldioxy)dianiline and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride. The structures of the obtained PEIs were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (1H and 13C NMR) and by elemental analysis. These polymers show excellent solubility in a broad range of solvents and produce strong and flexible films. The films were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and mechanical testing, and were characterized by gas transport measurements. The obtained films exhibit thermal stability up to 500 °C, good mechanical properties and a CO2 permeability of 7.85 Barrer with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 21.2 for the polymer that contains hexafluoroisopropylidene moieties. The effects of the chemical structures on the physical and gas permeation properties were studied. The introduction of bulky cardo or hexafluoroisopropylidene moieties into the polymer chain increases the glass transition temperature (Tg) and fractional free volume (FFV), while the incorporation of additional ether linkages produces the opposite effect. Using an existing free volume approach, we found that the permeabilities of the studied PEIs are well correlated with their FFVs. New poly(etherimide)s (PEI) containing isopropylidene groups were synthesized and investigated. They are strong and tough polymeric materials, showing excellent solubility in common organic solvents and high thermal stability. The highest gas permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity was demonstrated by PEI containing hexafluoroisopropylidene unit. The correlations between chemical structure and physical and gas permeation properties were found to exist.

In Chap. 13, entitled “Fundamental Pre-Cause of CSE Crisis (FP3C),” we described the interaction strategies for adaptive learning, with a particular emphasis placed on learning of “intelligent patterns of behavior” by the colonies of bacteria.

The basic concept of WisTech, that is the concept of judgment, is treated in this book as an extension of the concept of reasoning.

This book includes a concise summary and analysis of the conclusions, drawn from the completion of many complex projects, both described in literature and experienced by the author himself.

It should be very strongly emphasized that the example of the problem in understanding the requirements (cf. Sect. 12.1) is only one of many reasons that contribute to the CSE Crisis.

As shown by numerous reports on the implementation of complex projects and its effects, there is still no “Silver Bullet” for CSE which could effectively help achieve success.

Practical conclusions from the implementation of numerous CSE projects (cf. Part III and Part IV of this book) indicate that there still is a very large gap between theory and practice (cf. TPGP in Chap. 11).

The problems with communication and understanding user requirements are illustrated by the wit, which has been known for many decades and which is shown in Fig. 12.1.

In this chapter, we present selected conclusions, drawn from the projects described in Part of the book (Case Studies), as well as many other projects.

Taking into account that CSE can be treated as the process of interactive thinking by the society of agents, one can ask the following question.