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Nutrition can play a key role in cardiovascular disease risk reduction, and its risk factors modification. This paper aims to present, compare, and summarize the main dietary concepts for preventing the main cardiovascular disease risk factors – obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The dietary models and macronutrient intakes were compared between main cardiovascular risk factors prevention recommendations. Dietary recommendations related to selected cardiovascular risk factors share the points, that can be suggested as crucial for overall cardiovascular risk factors reduction. Recommendations suggest limiting saturated fatty acids intake to <10% of total caloric intake in obesity, and <7 % in hypercholesterolemia, along with an increased intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, daily dietary fiber intake should reach a level of 25-40 g. The vegetables and fruits should be consumed at a daily minimum level of 200g (or 4-5 portions) each. Salt intake should not exceed 5g/day. Alcohol should be generally avoided, and moderate intake levels (sex-specific) should not be exceeded. It is also worth noting, that proteins are essential for tissue formation and regeneration. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy, but it is necessary to choose products with a low glycemic index. Dietary antioxidants help combat free radicals and prevent cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a hypothetical treatment for subjective idiopathic tinnitus, called monofrequency tinnitus therapy, which is a form of sound therapy. The structure and operation of the inner ear, according to a new hearing theory, was discussed in relation to the basis and causes of the appearance of tinnitus. Mono and narrow band therapy with a frequency consistent with the natural vibrations of the stereocilia (in range from 3.5 kHz to 4.4 kHz) was proposed. The main assumption of our hypothesis of the removal of tinnitus is that the natural frequency of the stereocilia vibrations should be discriminated by the brain. Lack of this effect can be temporarily restored by the use of sound therapy in the form of monotones corresponding to unheard frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the paper memristive-like properties are discussed for the thin film of semiconducting (Ti x Cu 1-x)-oxide system with gradient elements distribution. The test structure was prepared using multimagnetron co-sputtering process with separate Ti and Cu targets. Based on optical and work function measurements, a discussion about the band-gap alignment of the prepared thin film with respect to the used Au and TiAlV electrical contacts has been presented. Additionally memristive properties were analyzed using ion drift model. Performed theoretical analyses together with electrical and structural investigations allowed to propose an explanation of presence of pinched hysteresis loops observed during direct and alternating current measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In practice, the problem of motion control of the wheeled mobile robots is often neglected. Wheeled mobile robots are strongly nonlinear systems and restricted by non-holonomic constraints. Motion control of such systems is not trivial task and usage of non-optimal control signals can lead to deterioration of the overall robot system's performance. In case of autonomous application of the mobile robots all parts of its control system should work perfectly. The paper presents the theory and application of the optimal control method at the energy performance index towards motion control of the two-wheeled mobile robot during the realisation of complex, dynamically created trajectories. With the use of the proposed control method the two-wheeled mobile robot can realise effectively the desired trajectory, which is generated ad-hoc by the navigation system of the robot. Thus the proposed method can be used for motion control of autonomous or semi-autonomous wheeled mobile robots. The presented results of both computer simulations and experiments indicate that the proposed method works effectively from the point of view of the motion control of two-wheeled mobile robot. Movement of the mobile robot appeared reliable and predictable during all the tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel theory of acoustic signal detection in the inner ear. • The acoustic frequency that cuts our brain out of the audible band. • Unheard acoustic frequency bands in 3.5 kHz ÷ 4.4 kHz range. • The existence of the natural frequency of stereocilia. In this work, a novel theory of acoustic signal detection in the inner ear was described. Our hypothesis is related to the conversion of the acoustic wave into a hydrokinetic signal (in perilymph as non-Newtonian liquid) that causes a local change in the dispersed potential in the electrolyte (endolymph), which is detected by stereocilia of hair cells. The validity of our hypothesis has been proved on the basis of research on the acoustic frequency that cuts our brain out of the audible band (individually for each ear). These frequencies correspond to vibrations of stereocilia that constantly check whether there has been a local disturbance of the dispersed potential in the electrolyte – related to an acoustic signal of a specific frequency. Our studies have shown that such unheard acoustic frequency bands occur in 3.5 kHz ÷ 4.4 kHz range and are being tuned (individually for each person and ear) by the brain in dependence on external acoustics stimuli. This effect can only be found in tests involving a quiet analog signal (with an amplitude only slightly higher than the threshold of hearing), which is administered only to one ear at a time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Principle of operation of most gas sensing devices relies on detection of changes of electrical signal upon presence of specified gas. In this work, the changes in optical properties of thin films based on mixtures of selected transition metal oxides under ethanol vapor have been outlined. The test thin films were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering from mosaic target containing Ti, V, and Ta. Gas sensing properties were investigated through observations of the change in optical transmission. Dynamic optical response recorded in proposed optical gas sensing system shows relatively fast sample response/recovery times under different air/ethanol vapor environment. All measurements were collected at room temperature and no additional catalyst was used to activate sample dimming. Based on performed measurements construction of a simple optical detection system of ethanol vapor was proposed and tested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Annealing caused an oxidation route from mixed Cu-Cu 2 O phase to pure CuO. • Thermal oxidation at 350 °C resulted in the development of CuO nanowire structure. • Thermal oxidation caused an increase in coating transparency in the Vis-NIR range. • All deposited and annealed Cu x O thin oxide films had p-type conductivity. • The best sensor response exceeding 13 was observed for film annealed at 200 °C. The paper presents the results of the investigation of the post-process annealing effect on selected properties of copper oxide thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering. It was found that the prepared thin films were nanocrystalline with the crystallite size smaller than 20 nm. Annealing at temperatures of 200 °C, 300 °C and 350 °C caused metallic copper oxidation to copper(I) oxide and then to copper(II) oxide. As-deposited and annealed at 200 °C thin films were composed of Cu and Cu 2 O. Copper(I) oxide transformation into CuO started at 300 °C, while the thin film annealed at 350 °C consisted of a single CuO phase. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed that annealing of the as-deposited thin films caused gradual formation of cupric oxide nanowires. Optimum annealing temperature for nanowires growth was 350 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the surface of the as-deposited thin films was oxidized to Cu 2 O and CuO, while in the case of annealed films it was completely oxidized to CuO. Thermal treatment also contributed to the increase in coating transparency in the infrared range. The transmission coefficient at 1500 nm of the thin film annealed at 350 °C was equal to 68. The resistivity of the as-deposited copper oxide thin film was equal to 1.9•10−3 Ωcm, while the highest resistivity of the annealed thin films was equal to 32 Ωcm for the coating annealed at 200 °C. A further increase in the annealing temperature resulted in a slight decrease in the resistivity value. Based on Seebeck coefficient measurements, it was found that all coatings were characterized by p-type conductivity. Additionally, sensing properties toward hydrogen were examined. The best sensor response exceeding 13 was observed for the thin film annealed at 200 °C. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examined samples were W-Re and Mo-Re thin alloy layers with high content of Rhenium, applied in industry as protective coatings. The 550 nm of W-50.4%Re and 580 nm of Mo-39.5%Re alloys were deposited on crystalline silicon and amorphous silica substrates by magnetron sputtering method. For thermal characterization of investigated layers the scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) and high frequency photothermal radiometry (HF-PTR) measurements were carried out. The thermal methods were supported by the microstructural studies performed by the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SThM method allowed determining the thermal conductivity (κ) of the alloy layers. From the HF-PTR the effective thermal conductivity (κ eff) was determined directly. Estimation of the thermal boundary resistance (R th) between particular alloy layer and its substrate enabled determination of the real κ of the layer with its thermal diffusivity (α) and effusivity (ε) from the HF-PTR fitting. The results showed, that W-Re and Mo-Re layers deposited on Si are characterized by higher κ , α , and ε values, and lower R th in comparison to those deposited on SiO 2. The κ values for W-Re and Mo-Re layers deposited on Si and SiO 2 substrates were estimated in the range from 7 W·m−1 K−1 to 12 W·m−1 K−1, and 1.6 W·m−1 K−1 to 4 W·m−1 K−1, respectively. The correlation between the alloy layer structure, it's thermophysical properties and substrate structure was observed. The AFM and XRD measurements confirmed the short range order formation in Mo-Re layers deposited on Si. • Thermophysical characterization of W-Re and Mo-Re layers deposited on Si and SiO 2. • Thermal conductivity determination by SThM and PTR methods. • Thermal diffusivity and effusivity determination of W-Re and Mo-Re films. • Estimation of interfacial thermal boundary resistance. • Influence of different substrates on thermophysical properties of W-Re and Mo-Re. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]