Laser rangefinder performance (i.e., maximum range) is strongly affected by environment due to visibility-dependent laser attenuation in the atmosphere and target reflectivity variations induced by surface condition changes (dry vs. wet). Both factors have their unique spectral features which means that rangefinders operating at different wavelengths are affected by specific environmental changes in a different way. Current state of the art TOF (time of flight) semiconductor laser rangefinders are based mainly on two wavelengths: 905 nm and 1550 nm, which results from atmospheric transmission windows and availability of high power pulsed sources. The paper discusses the scope of maximum range degradation of hypothetical 0.9 μm and 1.5 μm rangefinders due to selected water-related environmental effects. Atmospheric extinction spectra were adapted from Standard Atmosphere Model and reflectance fingerprints of various materials have been measured. It is not the aim of the paper to determine in general which wavelength is superior for laser range finding, since a number of criteria could be considered, but to verify their susceptibility to adverse environmental conditions.

Urine is a clinical specimen often used in medical diagnostics for monitoring of elements concentrations and kidneys function. We determined the contents of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in 74 samples of 24-h urine (from 46 women and 28 men). The measurements were realized by the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with atomization in the flame (FAAS) and in the graphite furnace (GFAAS). The received results were the subject of statistical analysis including the sex and age of volunteers. Moreover, correlations between the elements and the relationships between age and amounts of excreted elements with urine were tested. We found the statistically significant higher content of Zn in men's urine than in women(')s one. Moreover, both adult women and men (>18 years) excreted much more Ca in urine in comparison to young subjects. Only in case of Pb the significant positive correlation between its amount in 24-h urine of all donors and age was stated. The correlation analysis has shown the significant positive relationships between Ca-Mg, Ca-Fe, Mg-Fe, Cu-Fe, Cu-Cd, Fe-Cd, and Pb-Cd in total samples of urine. Basing on our results, we concluded that the gender and age of donors may impact on the elemental status of 24-h urine.

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