New Criterion for Shutter Designing by Dry Pluviation Method

Dry pluviation is a technique applied for preparation of sandy soil samples for physical modeling. In this method, soil particles rainfall in the mold after passing through the mesh with certain opening sizes. In this study, a dry pluviation device was designed and manufactured to examine the effect of shutter properties including the hight of fall (HF), deposition intensity (DI), and gradation on relative density (RD). The results indicate that HF and DI have a direct and indirect relation with RD, respectively, but RD is constant for HF ≥ 1200 mm. In order to investigate the impact of shutter properties on DI and RD, α ratio (total area of the shutter holes to the area of the deposition surface) was defined and a linear relationship is proposed between DI and α. The results revealed an indirect relation between RD and α, but for α ≥ 0.130 RD is constant. In order to assess the simultaneous effect of grain size and shutter properties on RD, an independent grain size variable (i.e., α/D50) was defined and a linear relationship was established between α/D50 and RD. The results showed that the variable α/D50 can be considered as a useful criterion for designing a shutter to reconstitute sandy soils with different gradations.

Aggravation of fibrin deposition and microthrombus formation within the graft during kidney transplantation

In kidney transplantation, microthrombi and fibrin deposition may lead to local perfusion disorders and subsequently poor initial graft function. Microthrombi are often regarded as donor-derived. However, the incidence, time of development, and potential difference between living donor kidneys (LDK) and deceased donor kidneys(DDK), remains unclear. Two open-needle biopsies, taken at preimplantation and after reperfusion, were obtained from 17 LDK and 28 DDK transplanted between 2005 and 2008. Paraffin-embedded sections were immunohistochemically stained with anti-fibrinogen antibody. Fibrin deposition intensity in peritubular capillaries(PTC) and glomeruli was categorized as negative, weak, moderate or strong and the number of microthrombi/mm2 was quantified. Reperfusion biopsies showed more fibrin deposition (20% to 100% moderate/strong, p < 0.001) and more microthrombi/mm2 (0.97 ± 1.12 vs. 0.28 ± 0.53, p < 0.01) than preimplantation biopsies. In addition, more microthrombi/mm2 (0.38 ± 0.61 vs. 0.09 ± 0.22, p = 0.02) and stronger fibrin intensity in glomeruli (28% vs. 0%, p < 0.01) and PTC (14% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) were observed in preimplantation DDK than LDK biopsies. After reperfusion, microthrombi/mm2 were comparable (p = 0.23) for LDK (0.09 ± 0.22 to 0.76 ± 0.49, p = 0.03) and DDK (0.38 ± 0.61 to 0.90 ± 1.11, p = 0.07). Upon reperfusion, there is an aggravation of microthrombus formation and fibrin deposition within the graft. The prominent increase of microthrombi in LDK indicates that they are not merely donor-derived.

Aggravation of fibrin deposition and microthrombus formation within the graft during kidney transplantation

In kidney transplantation, microthrombi and fibrin deposition may lead to local perfusion disorders and subsequently poor initial graft function. Microthrombi are often regarded as donor-derived. However, the incidence, time of development, and potential difference between living donor kidneys (LDK) and deceased donor kidneys(DDK), remains unclear. Two open-needle biopsies, taken at preimplantation and after reperfusion, were obtained from 17 LDK and 28 DDK transplanted between 2005 and 2008. Paraffin-embedded sections were immunohistochemically stained with anti-fibrinogen antibody. Fibrin deposition intensity in peritubular capillaries(PTC) and glomeruli was categorized as negative, weak, moderate or strong and the number of microthrombi/mm2 was quantified. Reperfusion biopsies showed more fibrin deposition (20–100% moderate/strong, p < 0.001) and more microthrombi/mm2 (0.97 ± 1.12 vs. 0.28 ± 0.53, p < 0.01) than preimplantation biopsies. In addition, more microthrombi/mm2 (0.38 ± 0.61 vs. 0.09 ± 0.22, p = 0.02) and stronger fibrin intensity in glomeruli (28% vs. 0%, p < 0.01) and PTC (14% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) were observed in preimplantation DDK than LDK biopsies. After reperfusion, microthrombi/mm2 were comparable (p = 0.23) for LDK (0.09 ± 0.22 to 0.76 ± 0.49, p = 0.03) and DDK (0.38 ± 0.61 to 0.90 ± 1.11, p = 0.07). Upon reperfusion, there is an aggravation of microthrombus formation and fibrin deposition within the graft. The prominent increase of microthrombi in LDK indicates that they are not merely donor-derived.

Evaluation of Ovsynch Protocol on Reproductive Performance of Anestrous Buffaloes during Breeding Season in Chitwan, Nepal

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Ovsynch/FTAI protocol (day 0 fertirelin inj. 100μg I/M, day 7 cloprostenol inj. 500μg I/M, day 9 fertirelin inj. 100μg I/M, and day 10 fixed time artificial insemination 18 hours after second injection of fertirelin) in anestrous buffaloes of Chitwan, Nepal (n=14). Protocol was evaluated in terms of estrus characteristics, ovulation and pregnancy rate. Responses were analyzed by grouping the buffaloes based on type of anestrus, length of anestrus, body condition score (BCS), milking status, parity, age, management condition, follicle count on day of second GnRH treatment and site of semen deposition. Intensity of estrus characteristics on day of AI was mild. Major estrus signs observed were uterine tonicity, alertness, mucus discharge on rectal manipulation of internal genitalia, swelling of vulva and teat engorgement. Mucus discharge on rectal manipulation of internal genitalia and teat engorgement were clearly noticed in 50 % buffaloes. There was higher tendency (P=0.08) of estrus expression by buffalos with anestrous period of 10 months or lower compared to those with anestrous period longer than 10 months. Overall ovulation rate was 85.7%. Pregnancy rate to FTAI was 28.6% (22.2% and 40% in true anestrous and silent estrus buffaloes). 64.3% (66.7% and 60% of true anestrous and silent estrus) buffaloes were pregnant when checked at 102 days of FTAI including subsequent breeding. Although Ovsynch/FTAI seems to be alternative breeding technique in silent estrus buffaloes, further study with increased sample size is recommended. This protocol can potentially be used for resumption of ovarian cyclicity in true anestrus buffaloes.

Optical method for continuous monitoring of dust deposition in mine’s entry / Optyczna metoda ciągłego pomiaru intensywności osiadania pyłu węglowego w wyrobisku górniczym

The paper presents factors determining dust explosion hazards occurring in underground hard coal mines. The authors described the mechanism of transport and deposition of dust in mines entries and previous research on this topic. The paper presents a method of determination of depositing dust distribution during mining and presents the way to use it to assess coal dust explosion risk. The presented method of calculating the intensity of coal dust deposition is based on continuous monitoring of coal dust concentrations with use of optical sensors. Mathematical model of the distribution of the average coal dust concentration was created. Presented method allows to calculate the intensity of coal dust deposition in a continuous manner. Additionally, the authors presented the PŁ-2 stationary optical dust sampler, used in the study, connected to the monitoring system in the mine. The article features the results of studies conducted in the return air courses of the active longwalls, and the results of calculations of dust deposition intensity carried out with the use of the presented method.

Calculation of suspended sediment deposition intensity in grass-covered floodplains

Flooded river valley meadows are very important for river ecology, as they entrap sediments and sediment-bound nitrogen or heavy metals. Nevertheless, the grass-covered floodplains, particularly in river deltas, are often separated from the rivers by dykes. When such systems are designed, it is necessary to model sediment deposition in these separated areas. However, the existing calculation methods and models are adapted for flow over the sandy bottom. In the meadow flows there are other boundary conditions more favourable for sediment deposition. The focus of our studies was the processes of suspended sediment deposition in the flooded delta of the River Nemunas. Calibration results of the mathematical model with common sediment deposition formulae for riverbed flows did not correspond to the data of measurements. The differences were obvious. Consequently, it was necessary to study the peculiarities of flow and sediment motion under these conditions, as well as to work out formulae suitable for calculations.