StreszczeniePodstawowym badaniem służącym do diagnozowania dzieci z różnego typu zaburzeniami oddychania jest zdjęcie radiologiczne klatki piersiowej. Mimo wciąż malejącej roli, jaką odgrywa radiologia klasyczna w diagnostyce obrazowej, zdjęcie RTG jest zasadniczo nadal jedyną dostępną metodą obrazowania patologii płucnych u noworodków. Natomiast w sytuacjach, gdy klasyczna metoda wydaje się niewystarczająca, należy rozważyć wykonanie tomografii komputerowej. W artykule opisano wybór grupy noworodków, u której wykonanie TK było wskazane. Przy wyborze należało uwzględnić wiele czynników. Najistotniejszym kryterium był stan ogólny noworodka oraz korzyść płynąca z badania, która musi przewyższać czynniki ryzyka i konsekwencje pochłonięcia dużej dawki promieniowania jonizującego. Celem pracy było określenie wskazań do wykonania tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej u dzieci w okresie noworodkowym na podstawie materiału pochodzą-cego z ośrodka, w którym pracują autorzy artykułu. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań wyciągnięto wnioski zawarte w pracy. Słowa kluczowe: noworodki, zdjęcie RTG klatki piersiowej, tomografia komputerowa klatki piersiowej.Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska 2013; 10 (3) 295 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AbstractAn X-ray of the thoracic cage is a fundamental examination in children with disorders of various origin. Despite the constantly decreasing role of classic radiology in imaging diagnostics, the X-ray photograph still remains the only method available in practice for imaging lung pathologies in neonates. The aim of the work is to define the indications for performing CAT scanning of the thoracic cage in children in the neonatal period on the basis of our own material. We analysed a group of neonates referred for thoracic cage CAT scanning. Out of 10 people examined, 8 were boys, and 2 were girls. Respiratory disorders or the presence of auscultatory phenomena were an indication for making an X-ray in neonates in whom a CAT scan of the thoracic cage was done. All neonates from the examined group had an X-ray only as a result of above-mentioned indications. On the basis of a classic X-ray photograph, it was not possible to differentiate the flaccidity of the diaphragm with diaphragmatic hernia; the suspicion of presence of patent emphysema ventricle also needed to be confirmed. In one neonate, X-ray gave the image of an enlarged cone of the heart, and in the subsequent one, the image of persistent atelectasis of the right lower lobe. On the basis of the centre's experience, we may draw the conclusions that the basic indication for performing CAT scan examination in neonates is the suspicion of anatomical irregularity mentioned in the paper.

The main aim of this study is to carry out dynamic simulations of a crash between two identical shunting locomotives running at different velocities. Numerical analyses using a Finite Element Method (FEM) include frontend impact of the running locomotive with a stationary one situated on the track. Such collision scenario is required for railway vehicles operated on national and regional networks. A considered locomotive based on a Polish shunting locomotive-SM42, however the tested locomotive was slightly modernized. Finite element model of the locomotive was developed by the authors. FE analyses were conducted according to the PN-EN 15227 standard, which provides crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicle bodies. LS-DYNA computer code was used for the simulations. The paper presents selected results of analyses focused on the locomotive frame behaviour. Simulations were performed for the vehicle between 20 and 90 km/h. An influence of the impact velocity on some output quantities was determined. Contours of effective stress for selected moments of time as well as time histories of selected values are depicted. For modernized locomotives, it is required to evaluate their behaviour during the impact test. Dynamic numerical simulation is acceptable since the experimental tests on the complete objects under consideration are impractical and impossible sometimes.

Creating new research concepts is an important element in supporting the development of production systems and their components, including technical equipment. Many technical devices are characterized by a high degree of complexity, which justifies the need for a specific approach to their assessment and becomes an inspiration to search for innovative methods of assessment. As part of the proposed new approach to the assessment of technical objects, studies were carried out in which users of chainsaws assessed their technical and functional features, taking into account the options: advantage and disadvantage. The number of positive and negative assessments of a given feature was used in the developed methodology to calculate the utility potential index. The proposed formula for calculating the utility potential index is a contribution to the current state of knowledge in the field of evaluation of technical objects and their features, as well as comparisons between technical objects. Based on the definition of the utility potential index, its value ranges from 0.0 to 1.0. The conducted research and calculation results indicated the accumulation of the lowest and the highest values of the utility potential index for one of the functional features, i.e., the price of the equipment. The utilitarian effect of the study is the creation of a tool supporting the selection of equipment for the needs of its users. The research results can also be used as a suggestion for the improvement of the indicated features of technical devices by their manufacturers.