This study investigated the utility of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure with hemostatic clip by comparing with traditional PDA closure. Medical records of 51 dogs with surgical closure of PDA were reviewed and retrospective study was conducted. 29 dogs were treated by procedure with hemostatic clip (Group HC), and 22 dogs were treated by surgical ligation (Group SL). Data pertaining to breed, sex, age and body weight at the time of surgery, echocardiographic minimal ductal diameter, duration of surgery, hemostatic clip size, echocardiographic findings, hemorrhage, residual ductal flow and recanalization were collected from records. The results showed that procedure with hemostatic clip had been selected in lighter dogs than traditional PDA closure. Duration of surgery performed only hemostatic clip technique was significantly shorter than that in group SL. Preoperative LVIDd, E-wave and FS were significantly lower than postoperative ones. As regard all parameters, the differences between pre- and postoperative periods were not significantly different between group HC and group SL. Hemorrhage, residual ductal flow, and recanalization were not significantly different in both groups. The present study showed that procedure with hemostatic clip is beneficial in that it is available in smaller dogs and can make shorter operation duration than traditional PDA closure. Moreover, the procedure is effective for the resolution of volume overload of the left atrium and ventricle in short-term outcome. Complications including hemorrhage, residual ductal flow and recanalization were not significantly different with both techniques.

Popular statistical techniques, such as Spearman's rank correlation matrix, principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analyze a large set of water quality data of the Rybnik Reservoir generated during semiannual monitoring. Water samples collected at 9 sampling sites located along the main axis of the reservoir were tested for 14 selected parameters: concentrations of co-occurring elements, ions and physicochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of those parameters on inorganic arsenic occurrence in Rybnik Reservoir water by means of multivariate statistical methods. The spatial distribution of arsenic in Rybnik Power Station reservoir was also included. Inorganic arsenic As(III), As(V) concentrations were determined by hydride generation method (HG-AAS) using SpectrAA 880 spectrophotometer (Varian) coupled with a VGA-77 system for hydride generation and ECT-60 electrothermal furnace. Spearman's rank correlation matrix was used in order to find existing correlations between total inorganic arsenic (AsTot) and other parameters. The results of this analysis suggest that As was positively correlated with PO43-; Fe and TDS. PCA confirmed these observations. Principal component analysis resulted in three PC's explaining 57% of the total variance. Loading values for each component indicate that the processes responsible for As release and distribution in Rybnik Reservoir water were: leaching from bottom sediments together with other elements like Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Ca (PC1) and co-precipitation with PO43-, Fe and Mn (PC3) regulated by physicochemical properties like T and pH (PC2). Finally, multiple linear regression model has been developed. This model incorporates only 8 (T, pH, PO43-, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, TDS) out of initial 14 variables, as the independent predictors of total As contamination level. This study illustrates the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques for analysis and interpretation of complex environmental data sets.

Diagnostics of composite castings, due to their complex structure, requires that their characteristics are tested by an appropriate description

method. Any deviation from the specific characteristic will be regarded as a material defect. The detection of defects in composite castings

sometimes is not sufficient and the defects have to be identified. This study classifies defects found in the structures of saturated metallic

composite castings and indicates those stages of the process where such defects are likely to be formed. Not only does the author

determine the causes of structural defects, describe methods of their detection and identification, but also proposes a schematic procedure

to be followed during detection and identification of structural defects of castings made from saturated reinforcement metallic composites.

Alloys examination was conducted after technological process, while using destructive (macroscopic tests, light and scanning electron

microscopy) and non-destructive (ultrasonic and X-ray defectoscopy, tomography, gravimetric method) methods. Research presented in

this article are part of author’s work on castings quality.

The paper presents an analysis of overvoltages caused by a direct lightning strike in intrusion detection system equipped with underground radiating cable sensors. Waveforms of currents and voltages in the system components are calculated using analytical formulas basing on a transmission-line model in the frequency domain. The time-domain waveforms are computed using the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). Three network configurations of the intrusion detection system are analyzed.

Purpose: to demonstrate the possibility of finding features reliable for more precise distinguishing between normal and abnormal Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) recordings, in Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) coefficients domain. To determine characteristic features of the PERG and Pattern Visual Evoked Potential (PVEP) waveforms important in the task of precise classification and assessment of these recordings. Material and methods: 60 normal PERG waveforms and 60 PVEPs as well as 47 PERGs and 27 PVEPs obtained in some retinal and optic nerve diseases were studied in the two age groups (<= 50 years, > 50 years). All these signals were recorded in accordance with the guidelines of ISCEV in the Laboratory of Electrophysiology of the Retina and Visual Pathway and Static Perimetry, at the Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology of the Pomeranian Medical University. Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) was used for the time-frequency analysis and modelling of the PERG signal. Discriminant analysis and logistic regression were performed in statistical analysis of the PERG and PVEP signals. Obtained mathematical models were optimized using Fisher F(n1; n2) test. For preliminary evaluation of the obtained classification methods and algorithms in clinical practice, 22 PERGs and 55 PVEPs were chosen with respect to especially difficult discrimination problems (“borderline” recordings).

Results: comparison between the method using CWT and standard time-domain based analysis showed that determining the maxima and minima of the PERG waves was achieved with better accuracy. This improvement was especially evident in waveforms with unclear peaks as well as in noisy signals. Predictive, quantitative models for PERGs and PVEPs binary classification were obtained based on characteristic features of the waveform morphology. Simple calculations algorithms for clinical applications were elaborated. They proved effective in distinguishing between normal and abnormal recordings.

Conclusions: CWT based method is efficient in more precise assessment of the latencies of the PERG waveforms, improving separation between normal and abnormal waveforms. Filtering of the PERG signal may be optimized based on the results of the CWT analysis. Classification of the PERG and PVEP waveforms based on statistical methods is useful in preliminary interpretation of the recordings as well as in supporting more accurate assessment of clinical data.