Krystyna Konstankiewicz

A new optical method for soil stress and strain investigation

Abstract A new method for soil stress–strain investigations has been developed. In this method, a measuring system consisting of an SST (stress state transducer) and an optical system for soils has been used. Soil displacement and strain is to be determined with a novel, optical electronic system consisting of laser projectors, a shield and a video camera. Linear displacement of the SST in a deforming soil, rut depth as well as vertical and longitudinal deformations of the investigated soil can be determined. The main advantage of the new measuring system is the possibility of simultaneous measurement of both stress state components and deformations. Thus, an experimental soil stress–strain relationship can be determined. Detailed description of the instrumentation and methodology as well as some example results obtained in preliminary experiments have been presented. The laboratory and field experiments showed the performance of the system.

Cell orientation in potato tuber parenchyma tissue

Abstract The paper presents the results of the research of the size and shape of parenchyma tissue cells in potato tubers depending on the direction and site of sampling in tubers. An optical confocal microscope was used to observe samples in their natural state. The investigation was carried out for 1 mm thick samples cut from cylindrical samples (10x10 mm)taken in two mutually perpendicular directions of the inner and outer core of each variety. The analysis was done ten times.The methods developed for the composition and image analysis ensure obtaining a sufficient number of cells to determine tissue structure parameters (surface, shape, elongation and number of cells per 1 mm2) and decays of these parameters were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using the λ-Kolmogorov-Smirnov compliance test.Arelationship between the direction of sampling and the size and shape of the inner core of cells was found. Greater surface area and elongation of the inner core cells for the longitudinal direction in the tuber (stolon - top) was demonstrated. There was no such a correlation for the outer core in the tubers of the cultivars examined.