Polished Samples Research Articles

Beyond larks and owls: Revisiting the circadian typology using the MESSi scale and a cluster-based approach.

Chronopsychological research typically applied the morningness-eveningness dimension, resulting in a distinction between morning, intermediate, and evening chronotypes. However, in recent years, new measures have been developed that transcend the traditional "morning larks" vs. "night owls" dichotomy and better capture the complexity of individual differences in circadian rhythmicity. One such measure that addresses the multidimensional character of the circadian rhythm is the Morningness-Eveningness-Stability Scale improved (MESSi) which comprises three dimensions: morning affect, eveningness, and distinctness. However, delineating specific chronotypes using the cut-off points, as was commonly done for other established scales, is not possible in the case of MESSi due to its multidimensionality. In the present paper, we provide a first attempt to introduce a cluster-based approach to deal with MESSi scores. For this purpose, we determined the number of clusters to be extracted using data from our previous study conducted in Poland (N = 1106). Next, we attempted to replicate this cluster solution in another Polish sample (N = 768) and a German sample (N = 637). Finally, we also intended to illustrate how individuals assigned to the established clusters differ in terms of sleep parameters and other differential variables such as positive and negative affect, personality traits, depressive and anxiety symptoms, self-regulation, and self-efficacy. After segmenting MESSi scores by cluster analysis in the three samples we found support for a four-cluster solution, including four circadian profiles which we propose to label "intermediate-finches", "hardy larks", "night owls", and "vulnerable larks". This is the first attempt to introduce a cluster-based, multi-dimensional approach to dealing with MESSi scores.

Biodevelopmental Correlates of Sexual Orientation in Men: Evidence from a Polish Sample.

Biological mechanisms proposed to play a role in the development of sexual orientation in men include hormonal, genetic, and immunological factors. The posited roles of these factors are not mutually exclusive; instead, they may be at play to different degrees in different individuals. Direct measurement of these influences is challenging; thus, researchers rely on putative markers. We collected data on five well-established markers in a sample of gay and heterosexual men. We then (1) compared the levels of those markers in gay and straight men, (2) identified latent profiles based on those markers, and (3) compared the proportions of gay and straight men within the profiles. Gay men reported less gender conformity in childhood, a higher proportion of older brothers, were more right-handed, had more non-heterosexual relatives, and had more feminized digit ratios. Of the six identified profiles, the most numerous, containing a significantly higher proportion of straight men, had masculine digit ratios, masculine behavior in childhood, and was the most right-handed. Proportions of gay and straight men did not differ in the profile with the most feminine digit ratio, the profile associated with the highest proportion of older brothers, and the profile associated with left-handedness. Two remaining profiles, associated with familiality, and the most feminine childhood gender behaviors, consisted predominantly of gay men. The study suggests that further investigations of differences within sexual orientation categories are warranted.

Measurement of complex refractive index of metals from polished bulk samples

Measurement of complex refractive index of metals from polished bulk samples

ICF based comparison of musculoskeletal health in regions of Poland and Spain

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is the framework for describing disability. The aim of the study was to compare differences in health status between the populations of the Podkarpackie region of Poland and the Castilla y León region of Spain, using the ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions. A total of 840 people were included in the study. The brief version of ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions was used in the study. Information obtained from semi-structured interviews and a physiotherapy assessment was recoded into ICF qualifiers to obtain comparable data. Significant differences in functioning were found between the two samples, with a higher prevalence in all the ICF entities for the Spanish sample. Similarities were found in the ICF components ‘Body Functions’ and ‘Environmental Factors’, with the most prevalent ICF entities being ‘b280 Sensation of pain’ and ‘e225 Climate’ respectively. For ‘Activities and Participation’, differences were observed, with ‘d430 Lifting and carrying objects’ being the most common for the Spanish sample and ‘d450 Walking’ for the Polish sample. Significant differences were found between the two samples, indicating better musculoskeletal health in the Polish sample. Future research using the ICF Core Sets in practice should be expanded and carried out in other countries to improve the ability to make comparisons between populations and to develop policies for territorial equity in health.Trial registration: NCT06283407.

The Effect of Organisational Justice, Academic Identification and Legitimacy of Academic Authorities on Student Loyalty

ABSTRACTOur work contributes to existing research on student loyalty by testing a model that includes organisational justice as a predictor. In Study 1 (n = 257, Polish sample), students' perceived organisational justice of their university was a positive predictor of their loyalty. In Study 2 (n = 522, Polish sample), we replicated these findings and observed that academic identification accounted for the relationship between university's organisational justice and students' loyalty. In Study 3 (n = 500, American sample), we replicated findings from Study 1 and Study 2 and tested perceived legitimacy of university staff and authorities as another mediator of the investigated relationship. We conclude that the experience of organisational fairness at university translates into stronger academic identification and greater perceived university legitimacy, both of which lead to increased loyalty. Thus, we recommend that evaluation tools in higher education institutions more explicitly measure student perceptions of fairness.

The Thermomechanical, Functional and Biocompatibility Properties of a Au-Pt-Ge Alloy for PFM Dental Restorations.

A high-noble Au-Pt-Ge porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) dental alloy without the known adverse metallic elements and with the addition of germanium (Ge) was produced as a more cost-effective alternative to other precious alloying metals, with investigations for determining the functionality and clinical use of this alloy. The thermomechanical, biocompatibility, durability, workability and economic characteristics of the produced dental alloy were investigated. These properties were investigated with in vitro biocompatibility testing on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs); static immersion testing for metal ion release; DSC analysis; hardness, tensile testing, density and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) measurements; metallographic and SEM/EDX microstructure investigations; and finally with the production of a test PFM dental bridge. The results of the thermomechanical testing showed alloy properties suitable for dental restorations and clinical use, with somewhat lower mechanical properties, making the alloy not suitable for extensive multiunit fixed restorations. The microstructure investigations showed segregations of Ge in the homogeneous alloy matrix, which reduce the alloy's mechanical properties. The produced PFM dental bridge showed excellent workability of the alloy in a dental laboratory setting, as well as a high standard of the final dental restoration. The ion release was negligible, well below any harmful quantities, while the cell viability examination showed significantly higher viability ratings on polished alloy samples as compared to as-cast samples. The results showed that a dental substructure in direct contact with oral tissue and fluids should be highly polished. The performed investigations showed that the produced PFM dental alloy is suitable for clinical use in producing high-quality dental restorations with high biocompatibility for patients prone to metal allergies.

Is there a sexual dimorphism in Wormian bones presence? A study on Polish and Lithuanian sample.

Wormian bones (WB) originate from accessory ossification centers and occurr irregularly within cranial sutures. They are common, however some authors claim that in particular cases WB may reflect the developmental instability. Since males are more susceptible to environmental disturbances (which can lead to developmental instability), it is crucial to establish the possible discrepancy in WB appearance among sexes. The aim of study was to examine the sexual differences in WB presence. 317 adult skeletons from Polish and Lithuanian series: Ostrów Lednicki (185: 135 males and 50 females), Bokštro gatve 6 (69: 42 males and 27 females), and Subačiaus gatve 7 (63: 44 males and 19 females) were selected. Number of WB was noted, and their diameters were measured. In the Lithuanian sample the area of single WB's was measured photogrammetrically. Statistical calculations were performed with the significance defined as p < 0.05. Among Polish sample 117/135 (86.7%) of males and 35/50 (70%) of females represented at least one WB. In the Lithuanian sample it was 65/86 (75.6%) and 28/46 (60.9%), respectively. Difference was significant in Polish (p = 0.009) sample. The sexual difference of WB number was significant (p = 0.01 for Polish and p = 0.02 for Lithuanian sample). The sexual dimorphism of appearance and number of WB has been confirmed. WB are observed in greater numbers in males, but sexual differences are rarely analyzed statistically. There is a need for further work on sexual dimorphism of WB, especially in non-Asian populations.

Adverse childhood experiences and diet quality in the national sample of Poles: The mediating role of emotion regulation

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of adverse psychological and physical outcomes and chronic disease in adulthood. The mechanism of this relationship is still unclear. ACEs might exert their negative influence on adult health via both dietary and psychological axes. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between ACEs and diet quality in the national sample of Poles. We also aimed to determine whether difficulty in regulating emotions act as a mediator of this relationship. The national Polish sample of adults (n = 3557) took part in this study. ACEs were assessed via the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Data on food consumption frequency over the past year, body weight and height were collected using the self-administered version of the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire (KomPAN®). Two diet quality scores were evaluated: Pro-Healthy-Diet-Index-10 (pHDI) and Non-Healthy-Diet-Index-14 (nHDI). Emotion regulation (ER) was evaluated via the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Path analysis was used to examine the associations between the variables, firstly formulated by theoretical assumptions expressed by directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). A higher number of ACEs was related to higher difficulties in ER in adults (p < 0.001), which in turn was related to lower pHDI (p < 0.001) and higher nHDI (p = 0.027). Our findings strengthen the rationale for ACEs screening as a potential risk factor for diet-related chronic disease in adulthood. They provide a framework for public health prevention strategies via interventions targeting diet quality and emotional regulation in the setting of multidisciplinary practice.

Adverse childhood experiences and ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder in Poland: a population-based study

ABSTRACT Background: Research on the prevalence of ICD-11-based complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) in nationally representative samples is lacking, with no such studies conducted considering national Polish samples until now. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to explore profiles of study participants in terms of either PTSD or CPTSD symptoms regarding to ICD-11 diagnosis with the aid of latent profile analysis. We also investigated the relationship between the types and cumulative number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with the probability of CPTSD rate in a national sample of Poles. Methods: A representative sample of Polish adults (n = 3,557) participated in this study. ACEs were assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, while the core features of PTSD and CPTSD were measured using the International Trauma Questionnaire. Results: The findings showed a 11% prevalence rate of probable CPTSD in the studied sample of Poles. Sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect and having the experience of a mentally ill household member were the most significant predictors of potential diagnosis. Furthermore, significant differences concerning lifestyle data were observed in the group of participants with CPTSD. Conclusions: The current rate of probable CPTSD in Poland is substantially higher than the respective data reported for other countries. We also noted that the ICD-11 diagnosis of CPTSD may not apply to all cultural environments. Finally, it was observed that the ACEs – CPTSD association may depend both on the ACEs types as well as on their overall cumulative character.

The Effect of Metallographic Preparation on the Surface Characteristics and Corrosion Behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in Simulated Physiological Solutions

This study aimed to determine the effect of surface metallographic preparation (grinding, diamond polishing, and chemo-mechanical polishing using silica and hydrogen peroxide) on the surface roughness, morphology, chemical composition, and electrochemical behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Roughness decreases from ca. 0.2 μm to 0.02 μm from grinding to polishing. A typical α+β microstructure can be observed only after chemo-mechanical polishing. The average composition of ca. 6 wt% Al, 4 wt% V, and rest Ti was determined regardless of the surface preparation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the thickness of the oxide layer formed on chemo-mechanical polished samples is half that of ground samples. The metallographic preparation largely affects the corrosion behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V, which was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarisation in 0.9 wt% NaCl and artificial saliva at 37°C. At the open circuit potential, the chemo-mechanically polished Ti-6Al-4 samples showed superior corrosion resistance over ground samples. At potentials over 2.5 V vs Ag/AgCl, increased current densities were noted for chemo-mechanically polished samples, presumably related to the oxidation to a thicker oxide.

Effect of Alkaline Etching on Formation Behavior and Corrosion Resistance of a Cr-Zr-Ti TCP Conversion Coating on AA2024 Aluminum Alloy

Trivalent chromium process conversion coating is considered to be the ideal alternative to traditional chromate conversion coating due to its high corrosion resistance and low toxicity. However, achieving a high corrosion resistance trivalent chromium conversion coating on 2xxx aluminum alloys has been a great challenge. Herein, based on a newly developed trivalent chromium conversion solution (CN patent, ZL 202210804263.2), the effect of alkaline etching on the formation behavior and corrosion resistance of the coating on AA2024-T351 aluminum alloy was investigated. It was found that under the same conditions, the mechanically polished sample and the sample alkaline etched for 30 s showed the highest corrosion resistance. When the alkaline etching time was too short or too long, the corrosion resistance of the coating deteriorated. This is ascribed to changes in the surface microstructure of the alloy during alkaline etching, i.e., reduced number of intermetallic particles and formation of a copper enrichment layer. Reducing the number of intermetallic particles on the alloy surface is beneficial for uniform growth of the coating. However, the copper enrichment layer participated in formation of the coating, resulting in doping of copper species in the coating, which is detrimental to the corrosion resistance of the coating.

Low‐temperature bubble formation in silica glass

AbstractPhase separation was observed in silica glass following low‐temperature heat treatment in high water vapor pressure through the formation of bubbles. Although the 6 day diffusion treatment in saturated water vapor pressure at 250°C does not normally cause phase separation, the reactive fracture surface and subsurface damage caused by polishing with cerium oxide (CeO2) allowed for an increase in water absorption during treatment and heterogeneous nucleation of the bubbles at damaged sites. The sub‐surface damage, characteristic of blunt contact damage, was only revealed when the polished sample was etched. The formation of bubbles and polishing damage were observed in two silica glasses—one containing chlorine impurities and the other containing OH impurities. Raman spectra collected after fracture or polishing and water diffusion treatment demonstrated an increase in the abundance of –OH species including silanol (SiOH) groups and an evolution in the glass structure in the bubble regions compared with the bubble‐free regions. These results indicate an increase in the reactivity between water and glass fracture surfaces relative to the bulk.

Experimental study of the surface finishing of CNC magnetic abrasive finishing based on ANN

ABSTRACT CNC Magnetic Abrasive Finishing (CNC MAF) is famous for aluminium sheet processing. This study used an artificial neural network (ANN) analytical model with a Bayesian regularisation algorithm (BR) to examine how machine parameters (rotation speed, feed rate, depth of cut, and several passes) affect surface roughness during CNC MAF of aluminium sheet. Experimental and quantitative data proved its prediction ability. ANN model to select the best machine parameters for low surface roughness. The perfect numerical solution was experimentally tested, and surface morphology and roughness were used to evaluate processing quality under optimal machine parameters. The ANN model is also compared to Taguchi L16 for prediction and optimisation. Compared to ANN, prediction and optimal surface finishing mean absolute error are 96% lower. The results show that the ANN model is better at studying machine configuration during CNC MAF of Al sheet. SEM and 3D Optical profilometer were also used to analyze the Al sheet. The UV-VIS Spectrophotometer measures Al polished sample reflectance at 200–700 nm.

The Spiritual Well-Being Scale in the Polish Catholic Setting: Construct, Structure, and Relationships with Psychological Well-Being

The population of Poland could be of particular interest to researchers studying religion and spirituality. Catholicism has played a significant role in shaping the country’s culture, history, and tradition and is considered a national religion. More recently, however, the processes of moving away from regular participation in religious services and loosening ties with the institution of the Catholic Church are marked (Polish Public Opinion Research Center, CBOS). The Polish Catholic setting may modify the associations between psychological variables that have been studied in their relationships with spirituality, which have been investigated in religious contexts differing from a Polish Catholic one. Given this context, we examined the internal structure of spiritual well-being in the sample of present-day Polish Catholics (Study 1) and how spiritual well-being is related to mental health (Study 2). The internal structure of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale was replicated in the Polish sample, but only positively worded items loaded on the Religious and Existential Well-Being subscales. Spiritual well-being was positively related to positive mood, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being; it was negatively associated with negative mood, depression, and anxiety, thus remaining significantly related to psychological well-being among Polish Catholics.

Evaluating metal levels and potential health risks of nail polish brands on the Ghanaian market

ABSTRACT Research has shown possible existence of heavy metals in cosmetic products, as they are known to impact colour. Assessments have been carried out on selected brands of nail polishes on Ghanaian markets in the Ashanti Region, for levels of six metals, i.e., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu). A total of twenty (20) nail polish samples were analysed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer model nova 400P. The highest concentrations determined were Al (77.50 mg/L), Cu (2.126 mg/L), and Cr (25.66 mg/L). The levels of Pb, Cd, and Mn were all below detection limit. All samples analysed were below the WHO permissible limits, making them safe for use. Health risks associated with intake of these metals via dermal route, inhalation, and ingestion are evaluated, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) are below unity, suggesting no potential health risks associated with their use.

Characterization of identical lithium-ion battery electrodes before and after charge/discharge cycles via in-plane large-area polishing

As an effective method to fabricate a large-area cross-sectional sample for lithium-ion battery electrodes, we perform in-plane polishing of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2(NCA) cathode samples and obtain a large cross-sectional area with a diameter of 1.5 mm. The polished cross-sections of NCA cathode particles are sufficiently flat to perform the atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements on each cathode particle. Following AFM-based Kelvin probe force microscopy and scanning spreading resistance microscopy measurements, an identical in-plane polished NCA sample is assembled into a coin cell for the charge and discharge processes. After 90 charge/discharge cycles, the in-plane-polished sample is successfully disassembled from the coin cell without causing critical damage. In addition, a microcrack structure, which is a typical degradation feature of the cycles of NCA particles, is observed for the identical in-plane polished NCA sample. This indicates that the in-plane polishing method is effective for investigating identical NCA electrode samples before and after the charge/discharge process. Furthermore, the in-plane polishing method can be successfully applied to the large-area polishing of a Si-based anode which is a mixture of Si carbon complexes and graphite particles. This study presents a novel methodology for analyzing the degradation of lithium-ion battery electrode materials.

Psychometric properties of the generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) in a polish postpartum women sample

ObjectiveGeneralized Anxiety Disorder is an international mental health problem. Prevalence for anxiety disorders reported in perinatal period is high and related with adverse parental and child outcomes. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties and factorial validity of General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7) in the context of postpartum mothers.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 278 mothers (mean age 31.09; SD = 4.42) were recruited at the Neonatology, Gynecology, and Obstetrics Ward. Generalized Anxiety Disorder was assessed with GAD-7, stress with Parental Stress Scale (PSS), while risk of depression with Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify factor structure of GAD-7 and the internal consistency was evaluated using reliability coefficients: Cronbach’s Alpha and McDonald’s Omega.ResultsThe internal consistency of the GAD-7 was high (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.90 and MacDonald’s Omega = 0.91). GAD-7 had significant correlations with the variables examined for construct validity, stress (PSS; r = 0.35, p < 0.01) and risk of depression (EPDS; r = 0.76, p < 0.01). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis results supported a good fit of the data to the model: χ²(df) = 14.19 (14), p = 0.44; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.99; Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.99; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.007 (90% C.I. 0.000; 0.059).ConclusionGAD-7 has satisfactory psychometric properties. GAD-7 had significant correlations with the variables examined for construct validity with PSS and EPDS. GAD-7 is a reliable instrument for screening anxiety symptoms in perinatal period in research and clinical setting.

СИСТЕМА La–Ni–In: ФАЗОВІ РІВНОВАГИ ТА КРИСТАЛІЧНІ СТРУКТУРИ СПОЛУК

Interaction between the components in the La–Ni–In system was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and, partially, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Isothermal section of the phase diagram was constructed in full concentration range at 870 K (0–0.333 at. part La) and 670 K (&gt; 0.333 at. part La). The samples were synthesized in an arc-furnace on a water-cooled Cu-plate under an argon atmosphere and annealed in silica tubes at 870 K for one month (range 0–0.333 at. part. La) and at 670 K (range &gt; 0.333 at. part. La) for two months. The phase analysis was performed by X-ray powder diffraction method. Microstructures of polished samples and quantitative and qualitative analysis were carried out on a Tescan Vega 3 LMU scanning electron microscope equipped with an Oxford Instruments SDD X-MaxN20 detector. Fourteen ternary compounds, namely LaNi7In6 (LaNi7In6-type structure), LaNi9In2 (YNi9In2-type structure), LaNi3In6 (LaNi3In6-type structure), LaNi5In (CeNi5Sn-type structure), LaNi3In2 (HoNi2.6Ga2.4-type structure), LaNiIn4 (YNiAl4-type structure), La4Ni7In8 (Ce4Ni7In8-type structure), La5Ni6In11 (Pr5Ni6In11-type structure), LaNi2In (PrCo2Ga-type structure), LaNiIn (ZrNiAl-type structure), LaNi0.5–0.25In1.5–1.75 (AlB2-type structure), La2Ni2In (Mo2FeB2-type structure and о-La2Ni2In-type structure), La11Ni4In9 (Nd11Pd4In9-type structure), La12Ni6In (Sm12Ni6In-type structure) exist in the La–Ni–In system at the temperature of investigation. The crystal structure of о-La2Ni2In and La12Ni6In compounds was refined using powder data (STOE STADI P, Cu Kα1–radiation). The substitution of Ni for In was observed for compounds with AlB2- and YNi9In2-types structure and its composition can be described by the formulas LaNi0.5–0.25In1.5–1.75 and LaNi9–8.2In2–2.8 respectively. Binary compound LaNi5 dissolves up to 8.5 at. % of In and La2In – up to 5 at. % of Ni. Compounds of the La–Ni–In system can be divided into three groups: nickel-rich compounds are complex multi-layered with high values of coordination numbers of atoms; compounds of the middle part of the concentration triangle – two-layered compounds with coordination polyhedra in the form of prisms; compounds rich in lanthanum are complex multi-layered compounds with relatively low values of coordination numbers of atoms.

Features of cavitation wear of chrome electrolytic coatings

Cavitation wear is a pervasive phenomenon on water transport. The parts of ship propulsion system as well as the water-cooled surface of cylinder liners of high-speed ship diesels are subjected to cavitation attack. Bright chromium deposits are used to protect the water-cooled surface of liners. Nevertheless, the effect of cracks appearing in the electrolytic chrome coating upon depositing on the cavitation resistance of coating is still an open relevant problem. The goal of the study is to analyze the kinetics and mechanism of the destruction of the bright chrome electrolytic deposit under cavitation attack. The cavitation resistance of chrome electrolytic coatings after grinding and after polishing was studied. The chrome electrolytic coatings were obtained on the plates (90 × 30 × 7 mm in size) made of cast iron SCh21. The chrome was deposited on one side (90 × 30 mm) of the plate placed vertically by flow anodic jet chrome plating in standard electrolyte (kg/m3): chrome anhydride — 250; sulfuric acid — 2.5; trivalent chrome — no more than 5; trivalent iron ions — no more than 10. The electrolyte was prepared using distilled water of a single distillation. The parameters of depositing: electrolyte temperature is 50°C; the current density amounts to 60 A/dm2. Four samples cut from the same plate were used. The coatings on the first two samples were ground using the abrasive paper number 320. The coatings on the second pair of samples were first ground successively on the abrasive paper of different grit: 320, 500, 800, 1000, and 1200, and then polished on the cloth with GOI paste. The cavitation wear tests were carried out on a magnetostrictive vibratory rig in fresh water, the frequency and amplitude of the rig horn vibration was equal to 22 kHz and 28 μm, respectively. The spacing between the chrome-plated sample surface and the horn butt was 0.5 mm. The wear of the samples was evaluated by periodical weighing during testing. The wear of the ground samples turned to be significantly higher, than that of polished samples. The photographs of the surface after different duration of the cavitation attack show that the initial cracks formed on the coating during chrome plating are the centers of cavitation destruction. To reduce the negative impact of initial cracks on the cavitation resistance of the bright chrome electrolytic coatings deposited on the water-cooled surface of the cylinder liners of diesels it is shown expedient to include polishing in the technological process of depositing chrome coatings.

The image of sexual expression of female patients suffering from mood disorders: the questionnaire study on Polish clinical sample.

Aim of the studyMood disorders are significantly connected with sexual functioning impairment among women. The aim of this study was to assess and describe specifics of sexual expression and its dysfunc-tion in groups of women diagnosed with bipolar disorders (F31), major depressive disorder (F32 and F33) and persistent mood disorders (F34).Subject or material and methodsThe sample comprised 129 female patients aged 19-65. Subjects were recruited in the Polish psy-chiatry hospital wards. Patients were interviewed using the sexological questionnaire Mell-Krat (Kromierzyńska’s version) for women (SFK/K) for clinical assessment of patients' mood Mont-gomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) were used. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) was also used to control alcohol addiction's influence on sexual functions.ResultsThe mean final score in SFK/K for the whole sample was 35.3 points (SD=15.65), clearly below the cut-off point for the average level of sexual reaction for the Polish population. More than 88.4% of patients achieved scores lower than optimal.DiscussionThe prevalence of sexual dysfunctions among women suffering from mood disorders is in-creased. However, the image of the sexual expression of those patients is not homogenous.ConclusionsThe paper put light on the sexual functioning of women with mood disorders. However, further research using more specific methods and bigger samples is needed.