The aim of the hereby paper is to present the developed model of determining the volume and surface porosity based on the main fraction

of polifractional materials, its experimental verification and utilisation for the interpretation of effects accompanying the formation of a

moulding sand apparent density, porosity and permeability in the blowing processes of the core and moulds technology.

We used cytological and embryological methods to study reproductive cycle stages in Cerasus fruticosa Pall., Cerasus × eminens (Beck) Buia and Cerasus × mohacsyana (Kárpáti) Janchen from SW Slovakia, focusing on development of the male and female reproductive organs, fertilization processes and embryo formation. We found that reproductive potential was reduced by synergistic effects of negative biotic and abiotic factors. Despite the presence of degenerated, deformed pollen grains and their great variability of shape and size, a sufficient amount of normally developed viable pollen grains developed in anthers of C. fruticosa and C. × mohacsyana. Disturbed microsporogenesis in C. × eminens led to significantly lower production of viable pollen grains. We did not observe serious disturbances during megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis. Lower fruit set was caused by degeneration of ovules as a result of unsuccessful pollination, fertilization failure, or embryo degeneration during its initial development.

Studies were conducted on a zinc coating produced on the surface of ductile iron grade EN-GJS-500-7 to determine the eutectic grain

effect. For this purpose, castings with a wall thickness of 5 to 30 mm were made and the resulting structure was examined. To obtain a

homogeneous metal matrix, samples were subjected to a ferritising annealing treatment. To enlarge the reaction surface, the top layer was

removed from casting by machining. Then hot dip galvanising treatment was performed at 450°C to capture the kinetics of growth of the

zinc coating (in the period from 60 to 600 seconds). Analysing the test results it was found that within the same time of hot dip

galvanising, the differences in the resulting zinc coating thickness on samples taken from castings with different wall cross-sections were

small but could, particularly for shorter times of treatment, reduce the continuity of the alloyed layer of the zinc coating.

The efficient, stable and reliable operation of the blast furnace secures the proper quality of coke, which is one of the basic components of the blast furnace charge. In modern blast-furnace technology, when using substitute fuels, i.e. coal dust, the role of coke is extremely important. For this reason, the demands placed on its quality increase. Domestic coking plants have a limited base of Polish high quality coking coals at their disposal, therefore the full use of their coking properties is extremely important. The grain composition of the coal blend is one of the basic factors affecting the quality of the produced coke. This influence depends on the quantity and quality of coal components that make up the blend. In the conducted research, 21 coking coals, differing significantly in the degree of rank and origin (Polish and overseas coals), it was shown that the separated grain classes differ in properties, both coking properties and the degree of devolatalization during heating. In analyzing the obtained results, it was observed that the grain volume growth occurs essentially in the temperature range between the beginning and the maximum of fluidity. It has been shown that there is a linear correlation between the temperature corresponding to maximum fluidity and the temperature at which the maximum rate of evolution of volatiles enters. The presented phenomena accompany the emergence of coal expansion pressure during the coking process and they are its primary causes. The presented results can be an important guide for preparing the milling of coal for the coking process.

Wheat grain discoloration, a worldwide disease that lowers grain quality and decreases grain yield, does not have a single etiology. It has been proposed that it is a consequence of an abiotic mechanism, a response to environmental conditions or enzymatic activity. It has also been suggest that it is a biotic mechanism, a fungal infection principally by Alternaria spp. and Bipolaris sorokiniana. The present work was carried out to analyze the possible etiology of this disease in nine durum wheat genotypes from two localities of southern Buenos Aires province (Argentina) on two sowing dates. Incidence (percentage of grain discoloration) was recorded and mycobiota associated with this pathology was registered following ISTA rules. Peroxidase activity in an extract obtained from grains belonging to genotypes of the locality that showed the highest incidence was measured.

The incidence among genotypes, localities and sowing dates varied, although the genotypes with the higher and lower values of incidence were the same for all the variables tested. The fungus Alternaria spp. was isolated the most frequently followed by Fusarium spp., while Bipolaris sorokiniana was found the least frequently. Peroxidase activity showed that all the treatments had similar levels of enzymatic activity, but there was no clear differentiation between controls either between genotypes with the lowest or the highest incidence values. This suggests that peroxidase activity did not have a clear relationship with grain discoloration. In this research, it is presumed that fungal infection is the main cause of this disease.

A desirable property of iterated cryptographic algorithms, such as stream ciphers or pseudo-random generators, is the lack of short cycles. Many of the previously mentioned algorithms are based on the use of linear feedback shift registers (LFSR) and nonlinear feedback shift registers (NLFSR) and their combination. It is currently known how to construct LFSR to generate a bit sequence with a maximum period, but there is no such knowledge in the case of NLFSR. The latter would be useful in cryptography application (to have a few taps and relatively low algebraic degree). In this article, we propose a simple method based on the generation of algebraic equations to describe iterated cryptographic algorithms and find their solutions using an SAT solver to exclude short cycles in algorithms such as stream ciphers or nonlinear feedback shift register (NLFSR). Thanks to the use of AIG graphs, it is also possible to fully automate our algorithm, and the results of its operation are comparable to the results obtained by manual generation of equations. We present also the results of experiments in which we successfully found short cycles in the NLFSRs used in Grain-80, Grain-128 and Grain-128a stream ciphers and also in stream ciphers Bivium and Trivium (without constants used in the initialization step).

The results of researches of sorption processes of surface layers of components of sand moulds covered by protective coatings are

presented in the hereby paper. Investigations comprised various types of sand grains of moulding sands with furan resin: silica sand,

reclaimed sand and calcined in temperature of 700oC silica sand. Two kinds of alcoholic protective coatings were used – zirconium and

zirconium – graphite. Tests were performed under condition of a constant temperature within the range 30 – 35oC and high relative air

humidity 75 - 80%. To analyze the role of sand grains in sorption processes quantitavie moisture sorption with use of gravimetric method

and ultrasonic method were used in measurements. The tendency to moisture sorption of surface layers of sand moulds according to the

different kinds of sand grains was specified. The effectiveness of protective action of coatings from moisture sorption was analyzed as

well.

Knowledge of the role of sand grains from the viewpoint of capacity for moisture sorption is important due to the surface casting defects

occurrence. In particular, that are defects of a gaseous origin caused by too high moisture content of moulds, especially in surface layers.

The modification is a widespread method of improving the strength properties of cast iron. The impact in terms of increasing amounts of

eutectic grains has been thoroughly studied while the issue of the impact on the mechanical properties of primary austenite grains has not

been studied in depth yet. The paper presents the study of both aspects. The methodology was to conduct the melting cast iron with flake

graphite, then modifying the alloy by two sets of modifiers: the commercial modifier, and a mixture of iron powder with a commercial

inoculant. The DAAS test was carried out to identify the primary austenite grains. The degree of supercooling was determined and the

UTS test was performed as well. Additionally carried out the metallographic specimen allowing for counting grains. It can be concluded

that the introduction of the iron powder significantly improved the number of austenite primary grains which resulted in an increase

in tensile strength UTS.

The aim of this paper was to attain defect free, pure copper castings with the highest possible electrical conductivity. In this connection, the effect of magnesium additives on the structure, the degree of undercooling (ΔTα = Tα-Tmin, where Tα – the equilibrium solidification temperature, Tmin – the minimum temperature at the beginning of solidification), electrical conductivity, and the oxygen concentration of pure copper castings have been studied. The two magnesium doses have been investigated; namely 0.1 wt.% and 0.2 wt.%. A thermal analysis was performed (using a type-S thermocouple) to determine the cooling curves. The degree of undercooling and recalescence were determined from the cooling and solidification curves, whereas the macrostructure characteristics were conducted based on a metallographic examination. It has been shown that the reaction of Mg causes solidification to transform from exogenous to endogenous. Finally, the results of electrical conductivity have been shown as well as the oxygen concentration for the used Mg additives.

The paper presents the results of basic research on the influence of the properties of sand grains on electrical properties of water glass

moulding sands. It shows electrical properties of the main component – sand grains, crucial to the kinetics of moulding sands heating, such

as permittivity εr and loss factor tgδ. Measurements were carried out with the use of the perturbation method for silica, chromite and

olivine sands of different mineral, chemical composition and particle size distribution, as well as for moulding sands with water glass

grade 145. Analysis of the results of measurements of electrical properties shows that all moulding sands are characterized by a similar

permittivity εr and loss factor tgδ. It was found that the electrical properties and the quantity and quality of other components may have

a decisive influence on the effectiveness and efficiency of the microwave heating of moulding sands with sand grains. In determining the

ability to efficiently absorb the microwave radiation for mixtures which moulding sands are, the impact of all components influencing their

individual technological parameters should be taken into account.

The present research was conducted on thin-walled castings with 5 mm wall thicknesses. This study addresses the effect of the influence of

different master alloys, namely: (1) Al-5%Ti-1%B, (2) Al-5%Ti and (3) Al-3%B, respectively on the structure and the degree of

undercooling (ΔTα = Tα-Tmin, where Tα - the equilibrium solidification temperature, Tmin - the minimum temperature at the beginning of

α(Al) solidification) of an Al-Cu alloy. The process of fading has been investigated at different times spent on the refinement treatment ie.

from 3, 20, 45 and 90 minutes respectively, from the dissolution of master alloys. A thermal analysis was performed (using a type-S

thermocouple) to determine cooling curves. The degree of undercooling and recalescence were determined from cooling and solidification

curves, whereas macrostructure characteristics were conducted based on a metallographic examination. The fading effect of the refinement

of the primary structure is accompanied by a significant change in the number (dimension) of primary grains, which is strongly correlated

to solidification parameters, determined by thermal analysis. In addition to that, the analysis of grain refinement stability has been shown

with relation to different grain refinements and initial titanium concentration in Al-Cu base alloy. Finally, it has been shown that the

refinement process of the primary structure is unstable and requires strict metallurgical control.

The samples of the CuCr0.6 alloy in the solution treated and additionally in aging states were severely plastically deformed by compression with oscillatory torsion (COT) method to produce ultrafine – grained structure. The samples were processed by using process parameters as: frequency of torsion (f = 1.6 Hz), compression speed (v = 0.04 mm/s), angle torsion (α = ±6°), height reduction (Δh = 7 mm). The total effective strain was εft = 40. The microstructure has been analyzed by scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) Hitachi HD-2300A equipped with a cold field emission gun at an accelerating voltage of 200 kV. The quantitative microstructure investigations as disorientation angles were performed using a FEI INSPECT F scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a cold field emission gun and a electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) detector. The mechanical properties were determined using MST QTest/10 machine equipped with digital image correlation (DIC). The COT processed alloy previously aged at 500°C per 2h shows high mechanical strength, ultimate tensile strength UTS: 521 MPa and yield tensile strength YS: 488 MP attributed to the high density of coherent precipitates and ultrafine grained structure.