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The study of the biological mechanisms of ethanol reward has greatly suffered from problems to obtain ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. In the present study, CPP was obtained in genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats, derived from Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats, following intragastric (IG) ethanol administration by means of a permanent IG catheter, but not after intraperitoneal (IP) injection or IG gavage. Rats with permanent IG catheter, received IG administration of 0.35, 0.7, 1.5 or 2.8 g/kg ethanol, as a 10% v/v solution. In ethanol-experienced rats 0.7 or 1.5, but not 0.35 or 2.8 g/kg ethanol significantly increased in comparison to controls the time spent in the ethanol-associated previously non-preferred compartment, which became preferred in the post-conditioning test. In ethanol-naive rats, only 0.7 g/kg ethanol significantly increased the time spent in the ethanol-associated compartment. On the other hand, no effect was observed in alcohol-experienced rats following IG gavage, or IP injection of 0.35, 0.7 or 1.5 g/kg ethanol. The present results provide evidence that ethanol possesses postingestive rewarding properties in msP rats, and that it can reliably induce CPP in them, provided that an appropriate method of administration is adopted.

Abstract Currently, the first generation of silicon solar cells is dominating the photovoltaic market. Silicon cells are produced by various methods, which employ either crystalline or multi-crystalline substrates. However, both these manufacturing processes are expensive and potentially harmful to the environment and health. One example of this is that the surface is given its texture in a highly corrosive water solution of nitric and hydrofluoric acid. Additionally, both the diffusion and manufacturing of p-n junction and of metal contacts are associated with very high temperatures. This prompted us in our search for cheaper and more environmental friendly technologies. In this work, we discuss the possibility of producing components of photovoltaic cells by employing atomic layer deposition and hydrothermal technologies. This does not require the use of hazardous chemicals and high temperatures. The maximum efficiency of zinc oxide/silicon solar cells is 14% and 10% for textured and planar structures, respectively. A environmentally-friendly and simple procedure is thus being proposed, which, together with its relative efficiency, makes it an attractive alternative to the present procedure.

This paper is focused on the energy performance of buildings containing massive exterior building envelope components. The effect of mass and insulation location on heating and cooling loads is analyzed for six characteristic wall configurations. Correlations between structural and dynamic thermal characteristics of walls are discussed. A simple one-room model of a building exposed to periodic temperature changes is analyzed to illustrate the effect of material configuration on the ability of a wall to dampen interior temperature swings. Whole-building dynamic modeling using DOE-2.1E is employed for the energy analysis of a one-story residential building with various exterior wall configurations for six different US climates. The best thermal performance is obtained when massive material layers are located at the inner side and directly exposed to the interior space.

The research has been aimed at answering two questions: (1) What factors impact perception and acceptance of technological and environmental hazards? (2) Why are rich societies involved more in protecting their environment and health than poor societies? Data has been collected from representative samples of two countries—Poland and Sweden. The results indicate that (1) contrary to earlier findings, the inverse relations between perceived benefits and dangers of hazards has not been observed, (2) acceptance of a risk has been mostly influenced by perceived benefits, (3) rejection of a risk has been mostly influenced by its perceived harmful consequences. Concerning the second question, it has been found that: (1) perceived hazard's danger and benefit is not the only factor that impacts its acceptance, and (2) a broader economic context can impact acceptance (tolerance) of hazards. It has been found that being aware of high dangers and not very high benefits of hazardous activities, Poles still have accepted them. Thus, Poles seem to follow an old proverb: “When one does not have what one likes, one has to like what one has.”

During the electrochemical measurements of the rate of the hydrogen permeation through Al membranes, the unusual runs of hydrogen permeation flux have been observed. The formation of the minimum and maximum of the hydrogen permeation rate has been noticed upon the application and cessation of cathodic polarization in 0.01N NaOH solution, respectively. Analysis of the experimental data concerning the effect of the Al membrane thickness on permeation transients, the effect of cathodic polarization on the stress-strain curve of Al and the results of theoretical analysis suggest that the reason of untypical hydrogen permeation is the complex transport of hydrogen within the membrane. The hydrogen permeation flux is affected by the hydrogen up-hill diffusion caused by the membrane straining due to the cathodic polarization. The possibility of the strain induced hydrogen up-hill diffusion and the hydrogen induced redistribution of strain should be taken into account at consideration of stress and strain state at the tip of the propagated corrosion crack in Al.

Abstract The paper presents results of the tests of a novel type, semi-industrial scale hybrid electrostatic filtration system, called HYBRYDA+. The hybrid system comprised of conventional electrostatic precipitator, kinematic electrostatic agglomerator and bag filter. In this system, the bag filter, can remove not only microparticles but also submicron and nanoparticles attached to larger particles in the process of agglomeration. The system was installed at a by-pass of an exhaust gas conveying duct downstream of a 225 MWe power plant unit with coal-fired boiler, in a power plant South Poland. HT ELPI®+ impactor was used for the measurement particle size distribution. The collection efficiency of this system for PM2.5 particles was increased by the reduced pressure drop across the filter. The frequency of bag filter regeneration was reduced by about 82%. The rate of increase of the pressure drop across bag filter was about five times lower than for the same bag filter operating without electrostatic precipitator and electrostatic agglomerator, and the regeneration period of the filter increased from about 7 min to 35 min. The energy consumption required for filter regeneration can be reduced and the lifetime of bags can be longer in this system.

Abstract The compression and compaction behaviour of bentonite, limestone and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) — three cohesive powders widely used in industry were studied. Uniaxial compression was performed in a cylindrical die, 40 mm in diameter and 70 mm high, for three selected cohesive powder samples. The initial density, instantaneous density and tablet density were determined. The influence of maximum pressure and deformation rate was examined. The secant modulus of elasticity E sec was calculated as a function of deformation rate v, maximum pressure p and powder sample. After compaction experiments in hydraulic press at three pressures – p = 30, 45 and 60 MPa – and two different deformation rates, the strength of the produced tablets was examined in a material strength testing machine. From uniaxial compression tests performed on the universal testing machine for loading and unloading, the modulus of elasticity E was calculated on the basis of the first linear phase of unloading. The total elastic recovery of tablets was also obtained.

This study examined the effects of soil heavy metals, macronutrients, texture and pH as well as plant species richness and composition on soil respiration, enzymatic activity, microbial biomass, metabolic quotient (qCO2) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) at sites of historical Zn-Pb mining. The study was conducted both on a large scale (65 heaps scattered over the area of 750 km2) and on a small scale (25 plots along two 48 m transects extending from heaps to adjacent fallow fields). Total concentrations of metals exceeded 400 (Cd), 20,000 (Pb) and 80,000 (Zn) mg kg-1 at the most polluted sites. Although they decreased along the heap-fallow direction, they still remained above environmental standards in fallow soils. In contrast, some soluble metal forms increased with the increasing distance from heaps. Soil organic matter had the strongest positive effect on most microbial parameters. Total and/or available heavy metals exhibited significant negative effects on microbial biomass, enzymatic activity and AMF, and a positive effect on qCO2. Organic matter alleviated negative effects of heavy metals on microorganisms; they were not observed where the increase in the contamination was accompanied by the increase in organic matter content. Plant species richness affected positively enzymatic activity and mycorrhization level. Plant species composition possibly contributed to the formation of soil microbial communities, but its effect was entangled in that of heavy metals as plant communities changed along pollution gradients (from metal-tolerant grasslands dominated by Festuca ovina to calcareous grasslands and ruderal communities at less polluted sites).