Search

With about one-third of nurses having expressed an intention to leave the profession or change jobs in 2022, the effects of nursing job stress are evident. For nurses to continue to provide care in high stress, they must practice self-compassion and build resilience. The importance of resilience education and self-compassion for nurses and in nursing education is discussed from a Christian perspective, along with self-care strategies using the R.E.S.T. (Relationship, Exercise, Self-Compassion, Transformative Thinking) framework. Strategies for building resilience for both individuals and organizations are offered.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBO) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by an increase in the number and/or presence of atypical bacteria in the small intestine. Aetiology of SIBO is usually complex, associated with disorders of protective antibacterial mechanisms such as achlorhydria, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, immunodeficiency syndromes and anatomical abnormalities such as small intestinal obstruction, diverticula, fistulae, surgical blind loop, previous ileo-caecal resections and motility disorders. Clinical signs of SIBO may be non-specific. Most often there is dyspepsia, diarrhoea, bloating and abdominal discomfort. SIBO can sometimes lead to malebsorption, severe malenutrition and/or other syndromes associated with nutritional deficiency. The gold standard for diagnosing SIBO is still microbial investigation of jejunal aspirates. Non-invasive hydrogen breath tests are most commonly used for diagnosis of SIBO. Therapy for SIBO must be complex. It should include treatment of the underlying disease, nutritional support and cyclical gastro-intestinal selective antibiotics. Prognosis is usually serious, determined mostly by the underlying disease that led to SIBO.

ABSTRACTThe effect of cobalt addition instead of nickel on the crystal structure, martensitic transformation behaviour and shape memory effect were investigated. Within the analysed range of chemical composition, a single non-modulated martensite was detected at ambient temperature. Cobalt addition modified the lattice parameters and, thus, affected the tetragonality of the martensite unit cell. The hysteresis of martensitic transformation was differently affected by the type of heat treatment applied. For furnace cooled samples, the hysteresis decreased from 50°C to 30°C; in the case of water quenched samples, the hysteresis sharply increased up to 60°C. The shape memory effect, measured as the recoverable strain upon annealing after compression tests, reached a fully recoverable deformation at 10 at.-% of cobalt.This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on The Crystallographic Aspects of Metallic Alloys.

The effect of cobalt addition instead of nickel on the crystal structure, martensitic transformation behaviour and shape memory effect were investigated. Within the analysed range of chemical composition, a single non-modulated martensite was detected at ambient temperature. Cobalt addition modified the lattice parameters and, thus, affected the tetragonality of the martensite unit cell. The hysteresis of martensitic transformation was differently affected by the type of heat treatment applied. For furnace cooled samples, the hysteresis decreased from 50°C to 30°C; in the case of water quenched samples, the hysteresis sharply increased up to 60°C. The shape memory effect, measured as the recoverable strain upon annealing after compression tests, reached a fully recoverable deformation at 10?at.-% of cobalt.This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on The Crystallographic Aspects of Metallic Alloys.

This article presents the FogDevices hardware platform. It is a comprehensive set of concepts, approaches, and solutions for fast and effective IoT node hardware and software development. The proposed solution may contribute to more effective embedded IoT node software development by providing a unique tool for emulating environmental conditions. It is especially useful in development and testing of advanced data processing algorithms and operation logic for environmental conditions monitoring. By using the discussed approach, engineers can set up highly customized IoT hardware for operation in specific usage scenarios but without an excessive amount of work. The complete functional, electrical, and mechanical solution is presented along with multiple test results of its practical implementation.

This article presents the Simple Packet Protocol version 2.0 (SPP 2.0). The protocol core is technology-independent and it is designed to provide communication for low data rate wired bus networks. The protocol is characterized by its low hardware requirements which allows for implementing it on embedded systems with limited hardware resources and achieving a very low price per node. An important feature of the SPP 2.0 is that its design addresses the multi-master asynchronous communication with flexible addressing model. Thanks to an effective collision avoidance and detection mechanism, the protocol is reliable under heavy network load conditions even without any additional feedback from a receiver. The presented SPP 2.0 is designed to provide wired communication for embedded systems connected with economical and maintenance-free wired network. SPP 2.0 systems can be easily integrated into larger networks, including IoT applications. The possible use cases for the protocol include: wired sensor and actuator networks, building automation systems, and modular embedded hardware platform prototyping.

Due to he complexity of the Internet of Things systems, embedded devices require complex hardware, usually composed of various microprocessors communicating with each other. This calls for deep understanding of communication protocols and features offered by various components for designers and programmers alike. Unfortunately, the available hardware platforms for prototyping IoT devices are not adapted to such complex design and do not tackle these aspects. In the paper we propose the Copernicus board, composed of two different microprocessors, focusing on the software aspects of IoT device design. The device is used in the Introduction to IoT course which is part of the Computer Science curriculum at AGH University of Science and Technology. At the end of the paper we summarize student interest in the course, in the form of statistics.

Doping with copper is studied in a series of double perovskite-type GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co2-xCuxO5+δ, candidate oxygen electrode materials for reversible Solid Oxide Cells. Obtained by a sol-gel method, the material with x= 1.15, having the highest amount of the introduced Cu (lowest Co content) is selected, and systematically evaluated regarding physicochemical characteristics, as well as chemical stability with La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δand Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δsolid electrolytes. Promising electrochemical performance is obtained if this compound is used to manufacture oxygen electrodes, with the recorded low polarization resistance of 0.144 Ω cm2at 700 °C, and 0.020 Ω cm2at 850 °C. Also, the anode-supported laboratory cell is found to deliver over 725 mW cm-2power density at 850 °C, and shows good performance in the electrolyzer mode.

In this work, A-site deficient Sm0.9Ba0.9Mn1.8−xFexCo0.1Ni0.1O6−δ (x = 0, 0.45 and 0.9) double perovskites with in situexsolved nanoparticles were successfully obtained and evaluated as electrode materials for symmetrical Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs). All obtained oxides belong to the P4/nmmtetragonal system, and a phase transition from P4/nmmto P4/mmmwas recorded by the HT-XRD in the air. The in situexsolution of nanoparticles has been confirmed by the XRD and SEM analysis. The proposed materials present excellent redox stability and moderate thermal expansion coefficients. Electrospun nanofibers (with 150 nm diameter) were successfully fabricated, indicating an excellent potential application in the electrode. The results show the developed A-site deficient double perovskites with iron doping at Mn-site can be potentially applied as novel electrode materials for symmetrical SOCs.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) decline in chronic urticaria (CU) may be involved in etiopathogenesis of the disease or is a secondary phenomenon resulting e.g. from psychological distress. The relation between mental stress and skin diseases is well documented, however not focused on urticaria. We sought to explore the association of mood disturbances and the sense of coherence (SOC), as psychological distress parameters, and DHEA-S decline in patients suffering from CU.

Aim of the presented research was the improvement of fibrous cellulosic products for uses in hygiene and medical sectors. Nano-particles of bioactive polysaccharides were imparted to cellulosic fibrous products to modify their properties: physical–chemical like absorption, biological like antibacterial and antifungal activity, and mechanical. Fibrous materials like dressing gauze, wood-wool, and hygiene tissues were modified by the addition of chitosan and chitosan-alginate nano-particles. Padding and freeze-drying was applied in the coating of the fibrous materials with the nano-sized polymers.

The A-site cation-ordered GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co2–xCuxO5+δ(GBSCC) double perovskites are evaluated regarding the development of high-performance oxygen electrodes for reversible solid oxide cells (rSOCs). The aims are to maximally decrease the content of toxic and expensive cobalt by substitution with copper while at the same time improving or maintaining the required thermomechanical and electrocatalytic properties. Studies reveal that compositions with 1 ≤ x≤ 1.15 are particularly interesting. Their thermal and chemical expansions are decreased, and sufficient transport properties are observed. Complementary density functional theory calculations give deeper insight into oxygen defect formation in the considered materials. Chemical compatibility with La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ(LSGM) and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−δ(GDC) solid electrolytes is evaluated. It is documented that the GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co0.9Cu1.1O5+δoxygen electrode enables obtaining very low electrode polarization resistance (Rp) values of 0.017 Ω cm2at 850 °C as well as 0.111 Ω cm2at 700 °C, which is lower in comparison to that of GdBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ(respectively, 0.026 and 0.204 Ω cm2). Systematic distribution of relaxation times analyses allows studies of the electrocatalytic activity and distinguishing elementary steps of the electrochemical reaction at different temperatures. The rate-limiting process is found to be oxygen atom reduction, while the charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface is significantly better with LSGM. The studies also allow elaborating on the catalytic role of the Ag current collector as compared with Pt. The electrodes manufactured using materials with x= 1 and 1.1 permit reaching high power outputs, exceeding 1240 mW cm–2at 850 °C and 1060 mW cm–2at 800 °C, for the LSGM-supported cells, which can also work in the electrolysis mode.

Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology could have significant potential in the construction of Web services, but it generates multiple issues that software and hardware designers must overcome first. As a Web service hardware platform, the FPGA could be an experimental yet interesting and powerful alternative to standard solutions based on microprocessors and microcontrollers. Here, the authors share their thoughts about the possibility of using FPGA chips to implement environment-aware embedded Web services.

The study was conducted on Polish Merino (143♀ and 39♂) and old-type Polish Merino sheep (176♀ and 61♂) in Brylewo flock (Wielkopolskie Province). The examined sheep were at the age of one year. Prion protein (PrP) genotype was determined in all animals. In both breeds four alleles (ARR, ARQ, AHQ, VRQ) were found. Highly significant effect of breed and insignificant impact of gender within breed was observed in regard to the frequency of occurrence of alleles and genotypes susceptible to classical scrapie in the sheep. Eight different PrP genotypes in Polish Merino and nine genotypes in old-type Polish Merino were identified. Very high frequency of ARR/ARR genotype in old-type Polish Merino and high frequency of ARR/ARQ genotype in Polish Merino were found, with relatively significant frequency of occurrence of the genotypes containing VRQ allele. In old-type Polish Merino, three animals (of both genders) had VRQ/VRQ genotype. Breeding work involving elimination of animals encoding valine at codon 136, and introduction of rams with ARR allele to the population increased the frequency of occurrence of ARR/ARR genotype and ARR allele in the population of old-type Polish Merino. To improve the distribution of the genotypes genetically resistant to scrapie in the flock of Polish Merino only rams with ARR/ARR genotype were left. This guarantees an increase in the frequency of occurrence of genotypes genetically resistant to scrapie in the offspring.

Niniejsze wytyczne są wynikiem systematycznego przeglądu piśmiennictwa dokonanego w oparciu o metodologię GRADE (Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) oraz dyskusji przeprowadzonych w trakcie konferencji dotyczącej pokrzywki, która odbyła się 28 i 29 listopada 2012 roku w Berlinie. Konferencja ta była wspólną inicjatywą kilku organizacji (Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology[EAACI], EU-funded network of excellence, Global Allergy and Asthma European Network[GA2LEN], European Dermatology Forum[EDF], World Allergy Organization[WAO]) i wzięli w niej udział delegaci z 21 towarzystw zarówno krajowych, jak i międzynarodowych. Pokrzywka jest często rozpoznawaną jednostką chorobową rozwijającą się przy dominującym udziale komórek tucznych, która klinicznie objawia się występowaniem bąbli pokrzywkowych, obrzęku naczynioruchowego lub współistnieniem obu typów objawów skórnych. Ryzyko wystąpienia klinicznych objawów pokrzywki ostrej w ciągu życia w populacji ogólnej szacuje się na około 20%. Przewlekła pokrzywka spontaniczna oraz inne odmiany pokrzywki przewlekłej nie tylko obniżają jakość życia pacjenta, ale wpływają także na poziom funkcjonowania w pracy czy szkole i z tego powodu należy je zaliczyć do grupy ciężkich chorób alergicznych. Niniejsze wytyczne zawierają definicję oraz klasyfikację pokrzywek, uwzględniając postęp, który się ostatnio dokonał w zakresie identyfikacji przyczyn, czynników wyzwalających oraz patomechanizmów zaangażowanych w rozwój objawów klinicznych choroby. Dodatkowo przedstawiają oparte na wiarygodnych dowodach naukowo-badawczych zasady postępowania diagnostycznego i terapeutycznego w różnych podtypach pokrzywek. Niniejsze wytyczne zostały uznane zaakceptowane przez Europejską Unię Lekarzy Specjalistów (European Union of Medical Specialists; UEMS).

In this paper we present a convenient technique for transferring small amounts of data to resource-constrained embedded devices. The concept is based on utilizing a mobile phone with a dedicated application to transfer data to one or more embedded devices by using solely the phone’s display and visible light as a medium. The presented solution requires very low computational power and its hardware cost is insignificant, thus can be utilized in very low power and resource-constrained devices. The described subsystem can be used to provide means of very convenient and relatively secure transfer of initial configuration for wireless sensor network motes, Internet of Things (IoT) entities, or smart home appliances.

Autoimmune mechanisms play a role in the pathophysiology of chronic urticaria. As the genetic background of autoimmunity is well proven, the role of genetics in chronic urticaria is hypothesised.

An interview with architects Wojciech Kotecki and Marcin Kwietowicz is presented. The main focus of this article is Other topics mentioned in this article include modern architecture in Poland. Other topics mentioned in this article include the urban planning of Swiss and Polish cities, the real estate market, and growth.

PAF is a potent proinflammatory mediator which plays a role in different inflammatory diseases, including bronchial asthma. PAF is able to induce key pathogenic features of asthma and to influence the activity of cells involved in immune-inflammatory process; it may therefore serve as a possible direct target for anti-asthmatic drugs. Specific PAF antagonists (PAF receptors antagonists and recombinant plasma PAF acetylhydrolase attenuating its bioactivity) contributed to our better understanding of its role in asthma but unfortunately have not provided any further therapeutic option in the disease, due to minor or lacking effects. However, single treatment with PAF antagonist in asthma therapy revealed at its very best only a little effect. The concept of combined therapy targeting PAF and other mediators involved in the disease seems to be of particular interest. This review is a brief summary of relevant scientific basis as well as clinical research on the role of PAF in asthma, the significance of anti-PAF therapy in the disease, as well as US. patents (1998-2002) related to PAF antagonists.

A coupled gas-dynamical and thermo-mechanical model for simulation of the gas flow, gas and specimen temperature, phase, stress, strain, and displacement transient-fields during quenching of cutting discs and shafts of steel is introduced. The material properties (e. g. density, conductivity, heat capacity, hardness) are obtained by homogenization procedures. The material behaviour is described as an extension of the classical J2-plasticity theory with the extension of temperature and phase fraction dependent yield criteria. The coupling effects such as dissipation, phase transformation enthalpy, and transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) are considered. Simulations were carried out for cutting discs of knives, and for shafts made of steel SAE 52100 with varying diameter. For the validation of the simulations, these work pieces were heated in a roller hearth kiln up to 850 °C, and than quenched in a field of nozzles in which the heat transfer coefficient was known and could be locally adjusted by the volume flow of each nozzle. The phase fractions, surface hardness, distortion, and residual stresses were measured. The simulated and measured results fit quite well. According to optimization-simulations the shafts were quenched with a certain heat transfer coefficient distribution. The bigger diameter parts of the shaft were more intensively quenched by an increased gas flow so that the hardness profiles were equalized and the residual stresses at the edges were significantly reduced.

Die Abschreckung mit Gasen bietet eine umweltschonende Alternative zur Flüssigkeitsabschreckung. Durch die flexible Einstellung des Düsenfeldes lassen sich außerdem örtlich unterschiedliche Wärmeübergangskoeffizienten und damit Abkühlbedingungen einstellen. Dieser Vorteil kommt im Besonderen bei geometrisch komplexen Bauteilen zum Tragen, denn ein ideal homogener Wärmeübergang über die Werkstückoberfläche kann zu starken Maß- und Formänderungen und zu Ungleichmäßigkeiten in der erzielten Härte des Bauteils führen. Ein Düsenfeld bietet jedoch die Möglichkeit, komplexe Bauteile mit einem angepassten Wärmeübergangsfeld abzuschrecken. Aus diesem Grunde werden in dieser Arbeit Auslegungsrichtlinien für einen werkstückangepassten, ortsabhängigen Wärmeübergang bei der flexiblen Gasabschreckung im Düsenfeld zur Minimierung des Bauteilverzuges und der Vergleichmäßigung des Härteprofils sowie Reduzierung der Eigenspannungen am Beispiel der Abschreckung einer abgesetzten Welle aufgezeigt.

A complex thermomechanical model is introduced for the simulation of the transient fields of temperature and stresses during the quenching of steel products. The material behaviour is an extension of the classical J2‐plasticity theory with the extension of temperature and phase fraction dependent yield criteria. The coupling effects, i.e., dissipation of mechanical energy, transformation induced plasticity (TRIP), and phase transformation enthalpy, are considered. The model is used for the determination of the optimal cooling or quenching for reducing the distortion in the long steel profiles. The simulation results are presented in order to investigate the effects of material properties, boundary conditions, profile size and geometry. In the simulations, L‐, T‐ and U‐profiles made of steel C45 and steel C80 are considered. It is demonstrated that with a higher cooling rate in the mass lumped regions of the profiles, the distortion can be reduced.

Phase transformations over a nanocrystalline iron catalyst in the nitriding process were carried out at 350 °C and under atmospheric pressure. The process was conducted under conditions of changing nitriding potential both during the nitriding and reduction of iron nitrides. These processes were monitored by measuring the magnetic permeability and changes of mass and reaction gas composition. Four stages of nitriding were observed and ascribed to the following general schematic reactions: α-Fe → γ′-Fe4N → ε-FexN → ε-Fe3N7→ ε-FexN. The measurements of magnetic permeability revealed that the magnetic properties of the investigated samples strongly depended on the nitriding degree and can be described with linear equations of two variables. For γ′-Fe4N, the value of magnetic permeability was 1.280 times larger than for the iron catalyst, while for ε-FexN, it was more than 3 times smaller. However, in the case of the smallest nanocrystallites both in the process of iron nitriding and reduction of iron nitrides, the magnetic permeability did not change with the nitriding degree. It was also claimed that the composition of iron nitrides, concentrations of nitrogen in iron nitrides, and the magnetic permeability depend on the direction of the reaction (nitriding or reduction). A hysteresis phenomenon was observed.

Abstract: The computational method for the rapid evaluation of gamma and X-ray spectra observed by semiconductor detectors in radiometric analysis in presented using a simple peak shape function. The computer programme includes a minimizing routine based on the modified Newton-Raphson method giving a minimized vector of the parameters more rapidly than the conventional approach. The spectra of some gamma-ray emitting fission products and X-ray spectra excited by radioisotopes of materials from copper ore processing were studied. It was found that the simple Gaussian peak function gives the results equivalent to the total peak area method.

MOST AUTHORS still underestimate the role of the liver and of the reticuloendothelial system in the genesis of the various pathologic conditions that appear during the first week of extrauterine life. The variations in the degree of maturity of the hepatic functions in the newborn infant as evidenced in the chemistry of the cord blood might furnish some explanation of various so-called physiologic or undisputedly pathologic manifestations in such an infant like those grouped together under the name of hemolytic disease of the newborn.The object of our study was to determine the degree of maturity of the liver of newborn infants by studying the chemistry of the cord blood by various methods. In an additional series of cases, we compared (1) the results of our tests made on the blood of the mothers with those made on the cord blood and (2) with those made on the blood of

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate derivative (DHEA - S) are weak androgens produced in the adrenals and serve as primary precursors in biosynthesis of both, androgens and estrogens. These hormones are proposed to perform immunoenhancing activities and may play a crucial role in regulating cytokine production by Th1/Th2 cells; however, their role in immune-mediated diseases is controversial. The primary physiological role of DHEA-(S) and its mechanism is unclear. This review is a brief summary of relevant scientific basis as well as clinical research on the role of dehydroepiandrosterone in immune haemostasis and inflammatory diseases, including asthma, atopic diseases, chronic urticaria, pointing also to the significance of dehydroepiandrosterone therapy and the related US patents (1999-2005).

Neutrophils are broadly classified into conventional neutrophils (PMNs) and low-density granulocytes (LDGs). LDGs are better than PMNs at generating neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which may contribute to the pathology of autoimmune diseases. We hypothesized that LDGs and PMNs differ in their levels of unrestrained NE that supports NET generation. Here, we show that individuals with psoriasis contain elevated levels of LDGs and that in contrast to PMNs, the LDGs display higher staining for NE and lower staining for its inhibitor SLPI. The heterogeneity between blood-derived LDGs and PMNs was somewhat reminiscent of the differences in the NE and SLPI staining patterns observed in psoriasis skin-infiltrating neutrophils. Distinctive staining for NE and SLPI in LDGs and PMNs did not result from differences in their protein levels nor manifested in higher total proteolytic activity of NE in LDGs; rather, it likely depended on different cytosolic sequestration of these proteins. The disparate profile of NE and SLPI in LDGs and PMNs coincided with altered migratory responses of these cells to cutaneous chemoattractants. Collectively, differential NE and SLPI staining identifies common attributes of both circulating and skin-infiltrating neutrophils, which may guide neutrophil migration to distinct skin regions and determine the localization of LDGs-mediated cutaneous pathology.