The study was to determine the effect of water activity (0.850; 0.900; 0.950; 0.995; and 0.999 aw) on the growth of T. lanuginosus on solid media containing different cellulose substrates (crystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose - CMC, fi lter paper, and sawdust) and xylan. The growth of isolates from coffee beans and garden composts were compared. All isolates did not grow on media with aw < 0.950. On media with aw > 0.950, the hydrolysis zones were only observed on xylan and CMC. The highest daily growth and hydrolysis zone rates were mostly obtained at 0.995 aw and the lowest values were observed at 0.950 aw. The coffee beans isolates at 0.950 aw had the CMC hydrolysis coeffi cient 1.7-times higher than that for xylan. The fungal growth (FG) coeffi cient data indicate that the coffee beans isolates were able to utilize CMC and crystalline cellulose for growth and the highest growth rate was obtained at 0.999 aw. Subsequently, the compost isolates were able to grow on all substrates but the highest growth rate was obtained on CMC at 0.950 and 0.999 aw. Thus, coffee beans and composts provide T. lanuginosus isolates with various growth and hydrolytic zone rates in the range of 0.950−0.999 aw.

Green roofs play a significant role in sustainable drainage systems. They form absorbent surfaces for rainwater, which they retain with the aid of profile and plants. Such roofs therefore take an active part in improving the climatic conditions of a city and, more broadly, the water balance of urbanized areas. One of the factors influencing the hydrological efficiency of green roofs is the drainage layer. In the article, column studies were carried out under field conditions involving the comparison of the retention abilities of two aggregates serving as the drainage layer of green roofs, i.e. Leca® and quartzite grit. The average retention of the substrate was 48%; for a 5 cm drainage layer of Leca® retention was 57%, for a 10 cm layer of Leca average retention was 61%. For a 5 cm layer of quartzite grit average retention was 50%, for 10 cm layer of quartzite grit 53%. The highest retention was obtained for the column with the substrate and 10-centimeter layer of Leca®. At the same time, it was shown that Leca® is a better retention material than quartzite grit. The initial state of substrate moisture content from a green roof appears to be a significant factor in reducing rainfall runoff from a green roof; the ob-tained values of initial moisture content made for a higher correlation than the antecedent dry weather period.

Main aim of the study was to search for possible differences in diatom colonization and their communities under the influence of glacier meltwater inflow and when unaffected by glacier meltwater, and also to define the time needed for the development of diatom communities on newly submerged substrates at small depths in Antarctica. We used artificial substrates (Plexiglass© tiles), submerged at a depth of 1 m below the sea surface at two locations at the South Bay of Livingston Island: (1) Johnsons Dock – a cove, known to receive glacier meltwater with sediments, and (2) outside the cove, generally unaffected by glacial meltwater. Samples from the natural epilithon at similar depth were also taken as a reference for diatom community structure. Statistical testing the differences between the two sites was not possible this time, but the samples allowed us to compare the sites in terms of diatom growth, species richness, diversity and evenness changes in diatom communities along the time of the experiment at both sites and with the natural epilithon at similar depths. Diatom colonization followed the three-phases scheme (colonization, logarithmic growth and equilibrium) as in other latitudes. Based on the valve density and community indices e.g. species richness, diversity (1-D) and evenness (J’), we consider that at least three weeks might be necessary to obtain sufficiently representative for the environment diatom communities on new substrates at small depths in Antarctica, in conditions similar to those of South Bay. No particular differences between the sites were noted in the colonization scheme, but the diversity (1-D) and evenness (J’) were higher at glacier influenced site, as well as the number of the valves on the substrates. Sea ice diatoms prevailed at the glacier influenced site. We suggest that species exchange between the sea ice and other hard substrates do exist, at least for some taxa, and such species might be indicative for variations in both salinity and water transparency, related to glacial meltwater inflow.

The present study aimed at a determination of the formula allowing water content to be calculated for model degraded soil enriched with Biona-312 ion exchange substrate. To this end a mixture of sand and Biona- 312 was prepared which was monitored for water content changes. Moisture was determined both gravimetrically and reflectometrically (TOR method). To improve the reliability of the TOR method individual calibration was made. The specific calibration formula as polynomial of the third degree was found for water content determination in sand supplemented with Biona-312. The results confirmed the high potential of the TOR method in moisture monitoring, especially when individual calibration is done.

The quantitative description of an airlift bioreactor, in which aerobic biodegradation limited by carbonaceous substrate and oxygen dissolved in a liquid takes place, is presented. This process is described by the double-substrate kinetics. Mathematical models based on the assumption of plug flow and dispersion flow of liquid through the riser and the downcomer in the reactor were proposed. Calculations were performed for two representative hydrodynamic regimes of reactor operation, i.e. with the presence of gas bubbles only within the riser and for complete gas circulation. The analysis aimed at how the choice of a mathematical model of the process would enable detecting the theoretical occurrence of oxygen deficiency in the airlift reactor. It was demonstrated that the simplification of numerical calculations by assuming the “plug flow” model instead of dispersion with high Péclet numbers posed a risk of improper evaluation of the presence of oxygen deficiency zones. Conclusions related to apparatusmodelling and process design were drawn on the basis of the results obtained. The paper is a continuation of an earlier publication (Grzywacz, 2012a) where an analysis of single-substrate models of the airlift reactor was presented.

In high technologies today, wearable devices have become popular. Wearable technology is a body sensing system that supports application of health observance and tracking through a wearable Global Positioning System (GPS). The design of the patch antennas is highly significant for the brilliance of the wearable patch antennas. This paper focuses on analyzing the bending effect on return loss and frequency between three types of GPS patch antenna. Types of GPS patch antennas that have been designed in this project are with different substrates and different designs. The wearable patch antenna has been designed and analyse using CST software. As a result, able to analysis the reflection coefficient (S11), radiation patterns, and analytical approach for patch antenna bending effect were obtained.

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and microstructure of geopolymer repair materials mixed using fly ash (FA) and concrete substrates. An optimal combination of FA and concrete substrate was determined using the compressive test of geopolymer mortar mixed with various concrete substrate classes. It was found that the contribution of (C35/45) concrete substrates with the FA geopolymer mortar increases the 28-day bonding strength by 25.74 MPa. The microstructure analysis of the samples using scanning electron microscopy showed the denser structure owing to the availability of high calcium and iron elements distribution. These metal cations (Ca2+ and Fe3+) are available at OPC concrete substrate as a result from the hydration process reacted with alumina-silica sources of FA and formed calcium aluminate silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels and Fe-bonding linkages.

The mechanism in which the coatings made by thermal spraying adhere to the substrate is in most cases of a mechanical nature, thus being dependent on the morphology of the substrate surface. This paper study how the texture of the substrate influences the behavior of dry sliding wear, a behavior based on the adhesion to the substrate of the analyzed coatings. For this purpose, a Co – base powder, was chosen for atmospheric plasma spraying. For the substrate, a rectangular profile made of low-alloy steel was chosen, the surface of which was textured by mechanical abrasion, in order to obtain different degrees of roughness: sample S1 – Ra1 = 1.59 µm, sample S2 – Ra2 = 2.32 µm, sample 3 – Ra3.1 = 1.25 μm, Ra3.2 = 3.88 μm. In the case of sample 3, the texturing was done on one direction, with an elongated profile, so that the effect of the main direction of dry sliding wear on the quality of the coating could be studied. The tests were performed on an Amsler test machine, at constant load, for 1 hour. The samples were mounted in a fixed position, and the wear occurred on the basis of the rotation of the metal disc, without lubrication. It was found that the coating of sample 1 was the most affected, resulting even a partial delamination, and the best behavior was recorded in the case of sample 3.1.

Regions with warm climate are poor in organic matter or have a deficit of soil. The purpose of the work was to select the optimal mix from biodegradable wastes such as cardboard (Cb), natural textiles (Tx) newspaper (Np), colored newspaper (Cp), and office paper (Op) for creating artificial soil by combining these materials with compost and sand. To select the optimum mix, 15 samples were taken (3 from each type of waste in the following proportions: 25%, 50% and 75% ). The optimum mix was analyzed for grass germination rate and root development. Tests were performed in the laboratory with conditions similar to those of regions with warm climate and soil deficiency in a specially designed testing spot (bioterm). The effects of particular mixes on plant germination rate and growth were measured. Out of all mixes, the textile compositions Tx50 and Tx25 supported best the plant propagation. During the whole experimental process, the grass showed various growth tendencies. The best results for grass height were observed for mixes with textiles and colored newspaper. Based on this data and subsequent laboratory research, the best substrate composition was selected. For the whole period of the tests, germination rate in the pot with the mix was higher than the germination rate in the control sample with compost. Considering the experimental conditions of this research, the tested substrates can be used to aid in plant propagation, especially in regions with warm climate and soil deficiencies, and for restoration of damaged land areas.

The aim of this paper is to show the basic principles of the anaerobic digestion process. All the stages of degradation, such as hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis are characterized. Biodegradable organic matter consists of three main types of substances: carbohydrates, proteins and lipids; the metabolic pathways of their decomposition are described. The last part of the paper presents the co-digestion process, its benefits and technological parameters required to make that process attractive from an economical and environmental point of view.

Any type of material that increases soil yield, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to strengthen the soil and increase its fertility is called fertilizer. The current study examines the production of a new effective fertilizer. Results presented involve effects of new bioorganic-mineral compositions obtained from the combination of vermicompost and sulphur-containing waste from sulphuric acid production on the yield and quality of tubers (beets, carrots). An increase in the yield of tubers has been found to be 1.13–1.25 times when the bioorganic-mineral composition (~20 Mg∙ha–1) is introduced into the sierozem (serozem) soil. The best results are obtained with mass ratios in the range 30–45 and 55–70 for vermicompost and sulphur-perlite-containing waste, respectively. The effectiveness of the mixture of vermicompost and sulphur-containing waste is explained by the increased synergistic interaction of these components. The proposed composition has high structure-form-ing, water-retaining, nutritional and biologically active properties.

This paper proposes the design and simulation of 2×2 circular patch antenna array working at 28 GHz by using four inset feed micro strip circular patch antennas to achieve beam forming with directivity around 13dB which is required to overcome part of high path loss challenge for high data rate mm-5G mobile station application. Four element 2x2 array consists of two 1x2 circular patch antenna arrays based on power divider and quarter wavelength transition lines as a matching circuit. The designed antenna array is simulated on RT/duroid 5880 dielectric substrate with properties of 0.5mm thickness, dielectric constant ε _r =2.2, and tangent loss of 0.0009 by using Computer System Technology (CST) software. The performances in terms of return loss, 3D–radiation pattern is evaluated at 28 GHz frequency band. The design also includes the possibility of inserting four identical 2x2 antenna arrays at four edges of mobile station substrate to achieve broad space coverage by steering the beams of the mobile station arrays.

The article presents an overview of polymeric materials for flexible substrates in photovoltaic (PV) structures that could be used as power supply in the personal electronic systems. Four types of polymers have been elected for testing. The first two are the most specialized and heat resistant polyimide films. The third material is transparent polyethylene terephthalate film from the group of polyesters which was proposed as a cheap and commercially available substrate for the technology of photovoltaic cells in a superstrate configuration. The last selected polymeric material is a polysiloxane, which meets the criteria of high elasticity, is temperature resistant and it is also characterized by relatively high transparency in the visible light range. For themost promising of these materials additional studies were performed in order to select those of them which represent the best optical, mechanical and temperature parameters according to their usage for flexible substrates in solar cells.

A quasi-Yagi microstrip patch antenna with four directors and truncated ground plane has been designed and fabricated to have an ultra-wide bandwidth, high gain, low return loss and better directivity with center frequency at 3.40 GHz. After optimization, the proposed antenna yields an ultra-wide bandwidth of 1.20 GHz with lower and upper cutoff frequencies at 3.12 GHz and 4.32 GHz, respectively. High gain of 5.25 dB, return loss of -28 dB and directivity of 6.28 dB are obtained at resonance frequency of 3.40 GHz. The measured results of fabricated antenna have shown excellent agreement with the simulation results providing bandwidth of 1.34 GHz with lower and upper cutoff frequencies at 3.04 GHz and 4.38 GHz, respectively. The antenna gain of 5.33 dB, return loss of -44 dB are obtained at resonance frequency of 3.36 GHz. The dimension of the antenna is only of 65 mm x 45 mm ensuring compact in size.