One of the most important parameters in the study of diffraction gratings is their optical efficiency. This paper analyzes the different manufacturing processes to cover gratings of Moiré interferometry and their influence on the quality and absolute efficiency of replicated gratings on the surfaces of specimens. The Moiré interferometry is a field measurement technique that has been used in many different fields such as applied mechanics, microelectronics, biomechanics or micromechanics, hence the importance of this study. The applied reflected coating was done by sputtering and aluminium vaporization processes. In this work different materials and thickness layers were analyzed. The obtained coatings have a high degree of reflectivity on the replicated gratings.

The paper presents a study of the performance of some selected UV detectors. Unlike many similar works, the obtained data refer to commercial photodiodes (not only to detector materials). The main task of the research was to determine the influence of the operating temperature and annealing on the detector spectral responsiveness. A comparison of the results obtained for the photodiodes made of GaN and SiC was also performed. Although both kinds of detectors can work at high temperatures for a long time, some modification of their properties was observed. However, for GaN and SiC photodiodes, this modification has a substantially different nature. It is very important for some applications, e.g. fire alarms and a military equipment.

To explore the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and interferon (IFN) in the innate immunity against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), we detected the expression of TLR genes in PEDV-infected IPEC-J2 cells by real-time PCR. We also detected the level of interferon α (IFN-α) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that IPEC-J2 cells exhibited a clear pathological change after PEDV infection at 24 h. In addition, TLR7, TLR9 and TLR10 expressions were significantly upregulated in PEDV-infected IPEC-J2 cells at 24 h. Interestingly, the expression patterns of TLR2 and TLR4 were consistent at different stages of PEDV infection. The expression level of TLR3 decreased significantly with the increase of infection time, but the expression levels of TLR5 and TLR8 genes at 6 h and 12 h were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.01). There were significant correlations among the expression levels of TLR genes (p<0.05). Cytokine detection showed that the secretion level of IFN-α in the PEDV-infected group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.01), and IFN-γ at 6 h and 12 h after PEDV infection was significantly higher than that in control group (p<0.01). Therefore, our results suggest that PEDV infection can induce innate immune responses in intestinal porcine jejunum epithelial cells, leading to changes in the expression of Toll-like receptors, and can regulate the resistance to virus infection by affecting the release levels of downstream cytokines.

The paper presents issues related to the technology of layered castings manufactured in the system: working part made of high-chromium steel X46Cr13 - base part made of gray cast iron with flake graphite, using the mould cavity preparation technology. Considering the high hardenability of the above-mentioned steel grade, the aim of the research was to optimize the casting parameters of gray cast iron in such a way that it would be possible to perform heat treatment of X46Cr13 steel directly in the casting mould. As part of the research, the geometry of the working and base parts of layered castings was selected, and guidelines for mould technology from the point of view of the moulding sand were developed. In order to control the cooling rate, three matrix of the moulding sand were used - quartz sand, chromite sand and silicon carbide, with the same granularity. The thermal conductivity coefficient of sands made on selected matrix, bound with synthetic resin in the ratio of 30:1, was experimentally determined. Then, the bimetal casting process in a given mass was simulated in the MagmaSoft® (ver. 5.4.1). The purpose of the simulation was to determine the maximum virtual temperature Tm in the thermal center of the outer surface of the X46Cr13 steel insert. From the point of view of the research purpose, the insert was expected to heat up to the austenitization temperature, i.e. at least 950°C.

In the present paper several species of moss-mites (Acari, Oribatida), including a species new for science (Halozetes impeditus sp. nov.) caught in the vicinity of the Polish "H. Arctowski" Station on King George Island (South Shetlands) are discussed.