In this review, the problem of microbiological infestation of buildings was discussed. The techniques of detection were described as well, with special attention drawn to the rapid-early detection methods based on gas sensor arrays. The physical and chemical conditions of the building environment conducive to the development of microorganisms and the technical conditions influencing the problem of microbiological infestation were investigated. Additionally, the harmful effects on human health caused by the microbiological contamination were discussed, with a short review of particular groups of microorganisms causing sick building syndrome. Among the detection techniques, the traditional microbiological techniques as well as the molecular and chemical methods were presented. Different designs of the gas sensor arrays together with the various techniques of analyzing the received multidimensional signal were described, analyzed, and compared in detail.

Jedną z głównych przyczyn pogarszania się stanu środowiska naturalnego są zanieczyszczenia powietrza, rozumiane jako wprowadzenie do atmosfery w ilości lub natężeniu szkodliwym dla środowiska substancji stałych, ciekłych, gazowych lub energii falowej. Substancja lub energia wprowadzona mają zdolność do utrzymywania się w atmosferze przez określony odcinek czasu, przez co istotnie zmieniają jej skład, a także mogą wywoływać negatywne skutki na biosferę lub inne elementy środowiska. Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia za

Background Increased blood pressure in the varicose veins (VV) can contribute to the overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), affecting the endothelium, smooth muscle, and extracellular matrix of the vein wall. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), hypoxia, and inflammation occurring in the VV wall contribute to the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Aims Our objective was to analyze the concentration of gelatinases and VEGF in the great saphenous VV wall and plasma of patients. Methods In total, 65 patients (2nd degree according to clinical state classification, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology—CEAP classification) aged 22 to 70 were enrolled. Control veins (n = 10) were collected from the patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Control plasma (n = 20) was obtained from healthy individuals. Gelatinases and VEGF levels were measured with the usage of ELISA method. Results A significant increase in MMP-9 (11.2 vs. 9.98 ng/mg of protein) and VEGF (41.06 vs. 26 ng/g of protein) concentration in VV wall compared with control veins was observed. A positive correlation between VEGF versus MMP-2 (p = 0.03, r = 0.27) was found in the VV wall. However, no correlation was found between the concentration of VEGF and MMP-9 (p = 0.4, r = 0.11) in the VV wall. In addition, no statistical differences between MMP-9, MMP-2, and VEGF levels in plasma of VV patients compared with controls were noticed. Conclusions The results of the present study confirm that VV’s patients have altered expression of MMPs and VEGF. Overexpression of MMP-9 and VEGF in the VV wall may contribute to the spreading of inflammatory process and suggests the intense remodeling of extracellular tissue within the VV wall.

The article concerns the electric techniques of moisture detection that are based on the evaluation of the apparent permittivity of the tested medium. The main goal of the research was to evaluate the non-invasive Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) sensors’ sensitivity by measuring the span of elements and material moisture. To that aim, two non-invasive sensor designs were investigated for their sensitivity in the evaluation of the apparent permittivity value of aerated concrete. Sensors A and B were characterized by the spacing between the measuring elements equal to 30 mm and 70 mm, respectively. The tested samples differed in moisture, ranging between 0 and 0.3 cm3/cm3 volumetric water content. Within the research, it was stated that in the case of the narrower sensor (A), the range of the sensor equals about 30 mm, and in the case of the wider design (B), it equals about 50 mm. Additionally, it was stated that material moisture influences the range of sensor influence. In the case of the dry and low-saturated material, it was not possible to evaluate the range of sensor sensitivity using the adopted method, whereas the range of sensor signal influence was visible for the moist material.

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STRESZCZENIEWiększość produktów odsiarczania spalin charakteryzuje znacząca rozpuszczalność w wodzie i pylenie w stanie suchym. Właściwości te mogą być powodem dużego zanieczyszczenia powietrza, wód i gleb. Spośród wielu sposobów utylizacji tych odpadów, bardzo skuteczny jest proces aglomeracji metodą granulowania lub brykietowania. Z produktów odsiarczania można uzyskać nowy materiał o właściwościach kruszyw budowlanych, przy czym materiał ten jest odporny na erozją wodną i wietrzną, a także na warunki transportu i składowania. W pracy przedstawiono wyniki przeprowadzonych przemysłowych prób granulowania i brykietowania wapniowych produktów odsiarczania spalin. Do granulowania wykorzystano mieszankę fosfogipsu z popiołem lotnym (w udziale 1:5). Otrzymany granulat charakteryzował się wytrzymałością na ściskanie wynoszącą 41,6 MPa, wytrzymałością zrzutową 70% oraz ścieralnością 14,2%. Granulat ten zastosowano do produkcji mieszanki cementowej. Wyprodukowana zaprawa betonowa miała dłuższy czas wiązania i twardnienia w porównaniu do tradycyjnej zaprawy popiołowo-gipsowej, oraz miała większą lub porównywalną wytrzymałość na zginanie i ściskanie podczas twardnienia. Próby brykietowania wykonano z produktu zwanego gipsem syntetycznym lub rea-gipsem zarówno w czystej postaci, jak i z dodatkiem 5% oraz 10% pyłów wapiennych. Brykiety miały dużą wytrzymałość początkową oraz odporność na ścieranie. Wartości tych parametrów zwiększyły się po 72 godzinach sezonowania. Stwierdzono większą odporność brykietów z rea-gipsów na oddziaływanie zmiennych warunków atmosferycznych oraz większą odporność na wymywalność składników rozpuszczalnych w wodzie w porównaniu do brykietów z popiołów lotnych.Słowa kluczowe: produkty odsiarczania spalin, granulowanie, brykietowanie, fosfogips, gips. GRANULATION AND BRIQUETTING OF SOLID PRODUCTS FROM FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATIONABSTRACT Most flue gas desulfurization products can be characterized by significant solubility in water and dusting in dry state. These characteristics can cause a considerable pollution of air, water, and soil. Among many approaches to utilization of this waste, the process of agglomeration using granulation or briquetting has proved very effective. Using desulfurization products a new material of aggregate characteristics has been acquired, and this material is resistant to water and wind erosion as well as to the conditions of transportation and storage. The paper presents the results of industrial trials granulation and briquetting of calcium desulphurization products. The granulation of a mixture of phosphogypsum used with fly ash (in the share 1:5). The resulting granules characterized by a compressive strength of 41.6 MPa, the damping resistance of 70% and 14.2% abrasion. The granulate was used for the production of cement mix. The produced concrete mortar have a longer setting and hardening time, as compared to the traditional ash and gypsum mortar, and have a higher or comparable flexural and compressive strength during hardening. Briquetting trials made of a product c...

Nowadays, the attention of designers and service providers is especially focused on energy efficiency and integration of renewable energy sources (RES). However, the knowledge on smart devices and automated, easily applicable algorithms for optimizing heating consumption by effectively taking advantage of solar heat gains, while avoiding overheating, is limited. This paper presents a simple method for taking into account the influence of solar heat gains in the form of solar radiation for the purposes of forecasting or controlling thermal power for heating of buildings. On the basis of field research carried out for seven buildings (five residential buildings and two public buildings) during one heating season, it was noticed that it was justified to properly narrow down the input data range included in the building energy model calculations in order to obtain a higher accuracy of calculations. In order to minimize the impact of other external factors (in particular wind speed) affecting the heat consumption for heating purposes, it was recommended to consider the data range only at wind speeds below 3 m/s. On the other hand, in order to minimize the impact of internal factors (in particular the impact of users), it was suggested to further narrow down the scope of the input data to an hour (e.g., 10–14 in multi-family residential buildings). During these hours, the impact on users was minimized as most of them were outside the building.