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The high degree of thickness uniformity of the extruded polymer tube is one of its most important geometric features. A factor that has a direct impact on this is the die, especially the mandrel. Correctly designed, it ensures, among other things, a high degree of homogenization of the processed polymer and uniform distribution of the volume flow rate along the circumference, which has a key impact on the quality of the extruded film. Due to the number of variables affecting the flow of polymer through the die, a number of simulations are required to find the optimal design. This paper presents the validation of a tool based on Chris Rauwendaal's mathematical model for performing fast numerical calculations to determine the geometric parameters of the spiral mandrel to ensure the thickness of the extruded film is as uniform as possible. Simulations were carried out based on 13 geometric and processing variables, from which 3 key geometric parameters were selected. In order to select a set of parameters that ensure the optimal distribution of polymer flow at the exit, a series of simulations were carried out for several levels of values of the aforementioned key parameters. The obtained set of geometric parameters was used to manufacture a spiral mandrel, which was used in the process of validation of the computer aided engineering tool by the experimental method.

To search for β β 0 ν decay with unprecedented sensitivity, the R2D2 collaboration is developing a radial time projection chamber with a fiducial mass of half a tonne of 136 Xe at high pressure. The various approaches implemented to eliminate the radioactive background are presented in terms of detector design, topological recognition of interactions, and event energy reconstruction. The developed tools enable the disentangling of the sought-after signal from the background. The projected sensitivity after ten years of data taking yields a half-life limit exceeding 10 27 years, along with a constraint on the effective neutrino mass m β β that could cover a large fraction of the inverted mass hierarchy region, depending on the final experimental background.

The paper presents numerical investigations of a new method of regulation of an axial fan. This method is based on dividing the impeller blade and stator guide vane into two parts, i.e., fixed and movable. The proposed new method was compared with a reference fan, in which the system with whole movable blade regulation is applied. Flow simulations aimed at the evaluation of the regulation characteristic of both solutions. The results showed that the new regulation method has a wider regulation control parameter, with values 10.2% and 12.2% higher for flow and pressure, respectively, than those of the reference fan. The drawback of the new idea is the restricted regulation range in the case of higher flows and pressures, which results from growing fluid flow losses. The obtained results suggest that the optimal regulation method would be a combination of the two approaches considered in the project. It means that an impeller with whole regulation blade and a stator guide vane with movable front part should have better performance.

Tritium is released abundantly to the environment by nuclear power plants (NPP), as a product of neutron capture by hydrogen and deuterium. In normal running conditions, released cooling waters may contain levels of tritium close to or even larger than the maximum authorised limit for human consumption (drinking and irrigation). The European Council Directive 2013/51/Euratom requires a maximum level of tritium in water for human consumption lower than 100 Bq=L. Current monitoring of tritium activity in water by liquid scintillating method takes about two days and can only be carried out in a dedicated laboratory. This system is not appropriate for real time monitoring. At present, there exists no available detector device with enough sensitivity to monitor waters for human consumption with high enough sensitivity. The goal of the TRITIUM project is to build a tritium monitor capable to measure tritium activities with detection limit close to 100Bq=L, using instrumentation technique developed in recent years for Nuclear and Particle Physics, such as scintillating fibres and silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). In this paper the current status of the TRITIUM project is presented and he results of first prototypes are discussed. A detector system based on scintillating fibers read out either photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) or silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays is under development and will be installed in the vicinity of Almaraz nuclear power plant (Cáceres, Spain) by the fourth term of 2019.

New modern additive technologies and reverse engineering are becoming available, especially in medical applications. The paper presents possible ways of using additive technologies in the scope of increasing the level of training of medical specialists in everyday clinical practice and in the selection of the appropriate scenario before real surgery. Descriptions of projects implemented with surgeons whose effect is to achieve aforementioned goals have been presented. The concepts are known as new solutions, but their further development may lead to the extension of the scope of application of these techniques in medicine, among others in relation to other disciplines.

Background Hemiparesis after stroke often leads to impaired ankle motor control that impacts gait function. In recent studies, robotic devices have been developed to address this impairment. While capable of imparting forces to assist during training and gait, these devices add mass to the paretic leg which might encumber patients' gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of the added mass of one of these robots, the MIT's Anklebot, while unpowered, on gait of chronic stroke survivors during overground and treadmill walking. Methods Nine chronic stroke survivors walked overground and on a treadmill with and without the anklebot mounted on the paretic leg. Gait parameters, interlimb symmetry, and joint kinematics were collected for the four conditions. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted to examine for possible differences across four conditions for the paretic and nonparetic leg. Results The added inertia and friction of the unpowered anklebot had no statistically significant effect on spatio-temporal parameters of gait, including paretic and nonparetic step time and stance percentage, in both overground and treadmill conditions. Noteworthy, interlimb symmetry as characterized by relative stance duration was greater on the treadmill than overground regardless of loading conditions. The presence of the unpowered robot loading reduced the nonparetic knee peak flexion on the treadmill and paretic peak dorsiflexion overground (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest that for these subjects the added inertia and friction of this backdriveable robot did not significantly alter their gait pattern.

This paper presents the results of research on the process of grinding dried corn stalks to use them as polylactide filler. Shredding was carried out on a laboratory shredder with the use of a design variant based on discs with cylindrical holes. By selecting the design variant, the appropriate grinding speed and the material pressure on the shredder discs, the most favourable parameters in terms of the quality of the shredded product and low energy consumption were selected. The research was conducted to reduce the energy demand during the shredding process and to obtain the shredded material suitable for further processing steps.

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the effect of selected design features of blade and disc units on the functional characteristics of the process of grinding corn stalks in specific ranges of input variables. The effect of changes in the geometric features of the working units and rotational speeds on the energy demand during the grinding process was estimated. On this basis, an assessment of the quality of the shredding product in terms of shape and size was also made.

The main purpose of the work is to determine the influence of the screw diameter on the parameters of the single screw extrusion process, such as power consumption, torque, throughput, the actual temperature of the melt on the extruder die, as well as phase s with the use of a laboratory single-screw extruder.. The research was carried out with the use of various plasticizing systems. Two types of graphite: pre-expanded and normal grade with different grain sizes were used in the research. Flammability tests of the obtained composites were carried out using cone calorimeter.

Family involvement is fundamental to the educational success of autistic students, yet many caregivers report feeling disconnected from the educational process. This disconnect is particularly pronounced for families from historically marginalized backgrounds. This Translation of Research to Practice article synthesizes current literature and practical experience to provide a framework for cultivating meaningful, reciprocal partnerships between teachers and caregivers of students with autism. We introduce the three Cs framework—Consider, Communicate, and Connect—to guide educators in moving beyond compliance toward authentic engagement. This framework outlines how teachers can honor autistic students’ family structures and experiences; address caregivers’ cultural and linguistic needs; and support families throughout key transitions. Implementation strategies emphasize proactive inquiry into family expertise and values, consistent and individualized communication, and scaffolded advocacy support. Consideration, communication, and connection strengthen family–professional partnerships, leading to enhanced teacher understanding of autism-specific student needs, caregiver empowerment, and coordinated support throughout students’ educational journeys. We provide a reflective checklist to guide teachers in implementing the framework.