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Search results for: rare genetic disease
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Space and spatial practices in times of confinement. Evidence from three European countries: Austria, France and Poland
PublicationIn the first half of 2020, millions of people were subjected to drastic restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid-19 disease. Austria, France and Poland have implemented a lockdown to varying degrees and for varying lengths of time. This is an unprecedented situation in Europe: until now, even in times of war, curfew measures have never been applied 24 h a day. The research presented in this article was carried out...
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Specific Binding of Cholesterol to the Amyloid Precursor Protein: Structure of the Complex and Driving Forces Characterized in Molecular Detail
PublicationC99 is the C-terminal membrane-bound fragment of the amyloid precursor protein that is cleaved by γ-secretase to release Aβ peptides, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Specific interactions of C99 with cholesterol have been proposed to underlie the recognized role of cholesterol in promoting amyloidogenesis. By using molecular dynamics simulations, we studied cholesterol binding to C99 in a lipid bilayer. We determined...
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Toxoplasma gondii recombinant antigens as tools for serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis: current status of studies
PublicationToxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan which is the cause of toxoplasmosis. Although human toxoplasmosis in healthy adults is usually asymptomatic, serious disease can occur in the case of congenital infections and immunocompromised individuals. Furthermore, despite the exact recognition of its etiology, it still presents a diagnostic problem. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is mainly based on the results of serological tests detecting...
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Determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables using QuEChERS sample preparation method
PublicationThe intensive development of agriculture means that more and more toxic organic and inorganic compounds are entering the environment. Because of their widespread use, environmental stability, selective toxicity and bioaccumulative capability, pesticides belong to the most hazardous substances contaminating the environment. They are particularly dangerous in fruits and vegetables, because they are one of the reasons why people are...
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Sleep Apnea Detection by Means of Analyzing Electrocardiographic Signal
PublicationObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition of cyclic, periodic ob-struction (stenosis) of the upper respiratory tract. OSA could be associated with serious cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension, arrhythmias, hearth failure or peripheral vascular disease. Understanding the way of connection between OSA and cardiovascular diseases is important to choose proper treatment strategy. In this paper, we present a method for integrated...
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Real-Time Gastrointestinal Tract Video Analysis on a Cluster Supercomputer
PublicationThe article presents a novel approach to medical video data analysis and recognition. Emphasis has been put on adapting existing algorithms detecting le- sions and bleedings for real time usage in a medical doctor's office during an en- doscopic examination. A system for diagnosis recommendation and disease detec- tion has been designed taking into account the limited mobility of the endoscope and the doctor's requirements. The...
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COVID-19 severity forecast based on machine learning and complete blood count data
PublicationProper triage of COVID-19 patients is a key factor in eective case management, especially with limited and insucient resources. In this paper, we propose a machine-aided diagnostic system to predict how badly a patient with COVID-19 will develop disease. The prognosis of this type is based on the parameters of commonly used complete blood count tests, which makes it possible to obtain data from a wide range of patients.We chose...
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COVID-19 severity forecast based on machine learning and complete blood count data
PublicationProper triage of COVID-19 patients is a key factor in eective case management, especially with limited and insucient resources. In this paper, we propose a machine-aided diagnostic system to predict how badly a patient with COVID-19 will develop disease. The prognosis of this type is based on the parameters of commonly used complete blood count tests, which makes it possible to obtain data from a wide range of patients.We chose...
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Butyrylcholinesterase signal sequence self-aggregates and enhances amyloid fibril formation in vitro
PublicationAlzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis has been attributed to extracellular aggregates of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the human brain. It has been reported that butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) also accumulates in the brain Aβ plaques in AD. We have previously found that the BChE substitution in 5′UTR caused an in-frame N-terminal extension of 41 amino acids of the BChE signal peptide. The resultant variant...
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Activity of Polish unifloral honeys against pathogenic bacteria and its correlation with colour, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and other parameters.
PublicationThe use of honey as an antimicrobial agent gains importance due to often ineffectiveness of conventional treatment. However, activity of honey depends mainly on its botanical and geographical origin. To date, antimicrobial potential of Polish honeys has not yet been entirely investigated. In this study, 37 unifloral samples of 14 honey types (including rare varieties) from Poland were analysed and compared with manuka honey. The...
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Algorytmy hybrydowe optymalizacji w zastosowaniu do problemu sterowania systemami dystrybucji wody
PublicationW pracy analizowany jest problem optymalizującego zintegrowanego sterowania ilością i jakością w systemach dystrybucji wody. Proponowane decyzje i sterowania powinny zapewniać optymalizację przyjętego wskaźnika jakości, przy spełnieniu ograniczeń właściwych tej klasie systemów. Ostatecznie do rozwiązania złożonych zadań optymalizacji dynamicznej zaproponowane zostało podejście hybrydowe, wspomagające predykcyjne algorytmy sterowania...
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Organizmy modyfikowane genetycznie. Jak bardzo są one szkodliwe?
PublicationA review, with 47 refs., of the methods for genetic changes in plants and animals and their uses for prodn. of food and tech. products and for environmental protection. Some debates on hazards connected with uses of genetically modified organismus were also reported. Uprawa i wykorzystanie organizmów genetycznie modyfikowanych (GMO), szczególnie organizmów transgenicznych wywołują poważne, skrajnie kontrowersyjne emocje. przeciwnicy...
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Evolving neural network as a decision support system — Controller for a game of “2048” case study
PublicationThe paper proposes an approach to designing the neuro-genetic self-learning decision support system. The system is based on neural networks being adaptively learned by evolutionary mechanism, forming an evolved neural network. Presented learning algorithm enables for a selection of the neural network structure by establishing or removing of connections between the neurons, and then for a finding the beast suited values of the network...
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Gender approaches to evolutionary multi-objective optimization using pre-selection of criteria
PublicationA novel idea to perform evolutionary computations (ECs) for solving highly dimensional multi-objective optimization (MOO) problems is proposed. Following the general idea of evolution, it is proposed that information about gender is used to distinguish between various groups of objectives and identify the (aggregate) nature of optimality of individuals (solutions). This identification is drawn out of the fitness of individuals...
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Charakterystyka oporności Klebsiella pneumoniae New Delhi na karbapenemy
PublicationBakterie Klebsiella pneumoniae New Delhi, posiadające gen oporności na karbapenemy (blaNDM) zostały po raz pierwszy wyizolowane w 2008 roku w Szwecji od pacjenta wcześniej hospitalizowanego w Indiach. Bakterie te szybko rozprzestrzeniają się po całym świecie, a od 2011 roku występują również w Polsce. Stanowią one wysokie ryzyko epidemiologiczne, ponieważ gen oporności na karbapenemy przekazywany jest pomiędzy bakteriami poprzez...
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Agent-based social network as a simulation of a market behaviour
PublicationRecent years and the outbreak of world's economic crisis in 2008 proved the crucial importance of reliable analysis of market dynamics. However, werarely apply models of proper detail level (the global prosperity forecast of 2007 can be seen as a grim proof). The behaviour of individuals and companies is far from being ideal and rational. Many claims that the economic paradigm of rational expectations (coming from J. Muth and R....
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Changes in psychological distress among Polish medical university teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic
PublicationOur study aims to update knowledge about psychological distress and its changes in the Polish group of academic medical teachers after two years of a global pandemic. During the coronavirus disease, teachers were challenged to rapidly transition into remote teaching and adapt new assessment and evaluation systems for students, which might have been...
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Development and validation of a model that includes two ultrasound parameters and the plasma D-dimer level for predicting malignancy in adnexal masses: an observational study
PublicationBackground: Pre-operative discrimination of malignant from benign adnexal masses is crucial for planning additional imaging, preparation, surgery and postoperative care. This study aimed to define key ultrasound and clinical variables and develop a predictive model for calculating preoperative ovarian tumor malignancy risk in a gynecologic oncology referral center. We compared our model to a subjective ultrasound assessment (SUA)...
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Cathepsin G activity lowers plasma LDL and reduces atherosclerosis
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The influence of azide and imidazole on the properties of Mn- and Cd-based networks: conductivity and nonlinear phenomena
PublicationWe report a study on a family of four new Mn- and Cd-azide-imidazolate-based compounds with various crystal architectures. Notably, three of these compounds display noncentrosymmetric crystal arrangements at room temperature, a rare phenomenon in hybrid organic–inorganic materials. Both nonlinear optical (NLO) and electrical phenomena in these compounds are observed. The NLO processes include second and third harmonic generation,...
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Principles and applications of Ligation Mediated PCR methods for DNA-based typing of microbial organisms
PublicationA significant number of DNA-based techniques has been introduced into the field of microorganisms’ characterization and taxonomy. These genomic fingerprinting methods were developed to detect DNA sequence polymorphisms by using general principles, such as restriction endonuclease analysis, molecular hybridization, and PCR amplification. In recent years, some alternative techniques based on ligation of oligonucleotide adapters before...
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Tuning the ferromagnetic phase in the CDW compound SmNiC2 via chemical alloying
PublicationWe report a study on tuning the charge density wave (CDW) ferromagnet SmNiC2 to a weakly coupled superconductor by substituting La for Sm. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the doped compounds obey Vegard’s law, where La (Lu) alloying expands (shrinks) the lattice due to its larger (smaller) atomic size than Sm. In the series Sm1−xLaxNiC2, CDW transition (TCDW =148K) for SmNiC2 is gradually suppressed, while the ferromagnetic...
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3,3'-Dibenzoyl-1,1'-dibenzyl-1,1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)dithiourea
PublicationIn the title compound, C32H30N4O2S2, the carbonyl and thiocarbonyl groups are found in a rare synclinal conformation, with an S-C···C-O pseudo-torsion angle of 62.6(2)°. The molecule has Ci = S2 point-group symmetry with a crystallographic center of inversion located in the middle of the ethylene bridge. One of the symmetry-independent phenyl...
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Cast Iron Staircase in Aleksandrów Kujawski (Poland) - History, Construction, Architectural Form
PublicationThe text presents historic cast iron staircase, which is situated inside the railway station building in Aleksandrów Kujawski. Since the moment of creation in the 19th century for a long time that station, located at the border of Prussia and Kingdom of Poland, was an important transit point. Nowadays it is situated in the central of Poland. The staircase was built in 1870’s as a result of an extension of the railway station building...
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Noncentrosymmetric Triangular Magnet CaMnTeO6: Strong Quantum Fluctuations and Role of s0 versus s2 Electronic States in Competing Exchange Interactions
PublicationNoncentrosymmetric triangular magnets offer a unique platform for realizing strong quantum fluctuations. However, designing these quantum materials remains an open challenge attributable to a knowledge gap in the tunability of competing exchange interactions at the atomic level. Here, a new noncentrosymmetric triangular S = 3/2 magnet CaMnTeO6 is created based on careful chemical and physical considerations. The model material...
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Mean Crossover in evolutionary path planning method for maritime collision avoidance
PublicationAbstract: This paper presents the use of mean crossover genetic operator for path planning using evolutionary algorithm for collision avoidance on sea. Mean crossover ensures widening of the possible solutions' set that can be achieved in comparison to exchange crossover variant. The research shown, that the mean crossover allows to achieve results independent from the initial generation and quicker transition of thealgorithm from...
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Ternary Bismuthide SrPtBi2: Computation and Experiment in Synergism to Explore Solid-State Materials
PublicationA combination of theoretical calculation and the experimental synthesis to explore the new ternary compound is demonstrated in the Sr–Pt–Bi system. Because Pt–Bi is considered as a new critical charge-transfer pair for superconductivity, it inspired us to investigate the Sr–Pt–Bi system. With a thorough calculation of all the known stable/metastable compounds in the Sr–Pt–Bi system and crystal structure predictions, the thermodynamic...
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Reinforcement Learning Algorithm and FDTD-based Simulation Applied to Schroeder Diffuser Design Optimization
PublicationThe aim of this paper is to propose a novel approach to the algorithmic design of Schroeder acoustic diffusers employing a deep learning optimization algorithm and a fitness function based on a computer simulation of the propagation of acoustic waves. The deep learning method employed for the research is a deep policy gradient algorithm. It is used as a tool for carrying out a sequential optimization process the goal of which is...
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Overview of Approaches for Compensating Inherent Metamaterials Losses
PublicationMetamaterials are synthetic composite structures with extraordinary electromagnetic properties not readily accessible in ordinary materials. These media attracted massive attention due to their exotic characteristics. However, several issues have been encountered, such as the narrow bandwidth and inherent losses that restrict the spectrum and the variety of their applications. The losses have become the principal limiting factor...
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The Energy of Finance in Refining of Medical Surge Capacity
PublicationThe availability of resources and their concentration in the place of greatest need, will not allow us to successfully overcome a medical surge without the energy required to activate these resources and activities, and increase their quantities if necessary, that is why the staff and management of healthcare institutions are forced to making ethical crisis decisions about who wins and who loses. This study highlights the versatility...
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Oxylipin profiling for clinical research: Current status and future perspectives
PublicationOxylipins are potent lipid mediators with increasing interest in clinical research. They are usually measured in systemic circulation and can provide a wealth of information regarding key biological processes such as inflammation, vascular tone, or blood coagulation. Although procedures still require harmonization to generate comparable oxylipin datasets, performing comprehensive profiling of circulating oxylipins in large studies...
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Consequences of lysine auxotrophy for Candida albicans adherence and biofilm formation
PublicationA number of factors are known to be involved in Candida albicans virulence, although biofilm development on the surfaces of indwelling medical devices is considered to promote superficial or systemic disease. Based on previously reported up-regulation of saccharopine and acetyllysine in biofilm cells and activation of the lysine biosynthesis/degradation pathway, we investigated...
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Bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity in new kiwi fruit cultivars
PublicationThe aim of this investigation was to find the best among seven different kiwi fruit cultivars (‘Hayward’, ‘Daheung’, ‘Haenam’, ‘Bidan’, ‘Hort16A’, ‘Hwamei’ and ‘SKK12’) for human consumption and to classify them as groups. Therefore, the contents of bioactive compounds and the level of antioxidant capacities of these cultivars were determined in four different extracts and compared. It was found that the contents of the bioactive...
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Properties of Different Varieties of Durian
PublicationDurian (Durio zibethinus Murr.), like many other exotic, tropical, and conventional fruits, is important in the prevention of different diseases. In this study, the characterization of the main bioactive compounds of the most popular cultivars of durian and their properties are described. The changes in the quality indices of the antioxidant status were determined by CUPRAC, ABTS, FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC assays. The profiling of phytochemicals...
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Evaluation of Medical Staff Satisfaction for Workplace Architecture in Temporary COVID-19 Hospital: A Case Study in Gdańsk, Poland
PublicationThis article analyses the architecture that was used in the temporary AmberExpo hospital in Gdańsk, Poland which was installed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of this type of facility is often based on experimental approaches, aimed at caring for patients suffering from an infectious disease in emergency conditions. In order to assess the level of employee satisfaction with the architectural and technical elements...
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Daily diet containing canned products significantly increases serum concentrations of endocrine disruptor bisphenol A in young women
PublicationNowadays, exposure to environmental factors is considered to be one of the possible causes of several lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Particularly noteworthy are endocrine‑disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which affect the metabolism of hormones and interact with their receptors, thus exerting adverse health effects. One of the most ubiquitous EDC in daily life is bisphenol A...
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A global multinational survey of cefotaxime-resistant coliforms in urban wastewater treatment plants
PublicationThe World Health Organization Global Action Plan recommends integrated surveillance programs as crucial strategies for monitoring antibiotic resistance. Although several national surveillance programs are in place for clinical and veterinary settings, no such schemes exist for monitoring antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. In this transnational study, we developed, validated, and tested a low-cost surveillance and...
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A framework to analyse the probability of accidental hull girder failure considering advanced corrosion degradation for risk-based ship design
PublicationShip’s hull girder failure could result from maritime accident that can cause human life loss, environmental disaster, and major economic impacts. In risk-based ship design paradigm, accounting for rare phenomena (e.g. ship-ship collision or grounding) is important to provide safe and durable structure. In-service corrosion-induced hull degradation should be considered at the design stage, as it can significantly affect structural...
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Biochemical assays of intensified methane content in biogas from low-temperature processing of waste activated sludge
PublicationAnaerobic digestion (AD) is implemented as an important ‘waste to energy’ approach for converting organic-rich byproducts such as sewage sludge into biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. Sewage sludge consists of primary sludge and waste activated sludge (WAS), and low biodegradability of WAS limits methane production. This study presents the influence of the low-temperature pretreatment (LT-PT) of WAS on the efficiency of AD. Different...
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Novel single-stranded DNA-binding protein from psyvhrophilic bacterium Psychrobacter arcticus
PublicationTo study the biochemical properties of SSB from Psychrobacter arcticus (ParSSB), we have cloned the ssb genes obtained by PCR and have developed Escherichia coli overexpression systems. The gene consists of an open reading frame of 642 nucleotides encoding SSB protein of 213 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 22.8 kDa. The amino-acid sequence of ParSSB exhibits 49% identity and 57% similarity to Escherichia coli SSB....
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Evaluating the convenience and safety effects of bicycle lanes in Gdańsk
PublicationBicycle lanes are lanes marked on a road and dedicated for exclusive use for cyclists.. Because they combine bike and motor traffic they provide directness and flow. However, a shared use of streets could result in bicycle-car accidents. Following up on the good practice Western countries have in planning cycle infrastructure, Gdańsk has recently introduced bike lanes on a few streets. The aim of the research was to assess the...
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Eu2Mg3Bi4: Competing Magnetic Orders on a Buckled Honeycomb Lattice
PublicationThe honeycomb lattice and its derived variants provide information on modeling and designing quantum magnets. A novel magnetic material, Eu2Mg3Bi4, which stabilizes in a previously unknown buckled honeycomb lattice, was discovered by high-pressure and high-temperature methods. We report here on the synthesis exploration of pure single crystals, structural determination of the buckled honeycomb lattice of europium moments, and experimental observation...
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A stochastic approach for the solution of single and multi – objective optimisation problems of biological processes in sequencing batch reactor
PublicationThis paper investigates the impact of implementing single and multi-optimisation solutions on the biological treatment process in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The research is based on a case study of the water resource recovery facility (WRRF) in Swarzewo, Northern Poland. The paper introduces the adaptive extremum seeking control (ESC) method for dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration control and places it in a layered control structure....
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In silico assessment and sonochemical synthesis of 2-alkynyl 3-chloropyrazines as prospective ligands for SARS-CoV-2
PublicationThe recent global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has triggered an intense effort worldwide towards the development of an effective cure for this disease. In our effort we have explored the 2-alkynyl substituted 3-chloropyrazine framework as a potential template for the design of molecules for this purpose. Our strategy was supported by the in silico studies of representative compounds to assess their binding affinities via docking...
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Role of cholesterol in substrate recognition by -secretase
Publication-Secretase is an enzyme known to cleave multiple substrates within their transmembrane domains, with the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer’s Disease among the most prominent examples. The activity of -secretase strictly depends on the membrane cholesterol content, yet the mechanistic role of cholesterol in the substrate binding and cleavage remains unclear. In this work, we used all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to examine...
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Molecular dynamics simulations of the affinity of chitin and chitosan for collagen: the effect of pH and the presence of sodium and calcium cations
PublicationChitosan and chitin are promising biopolymers used in many areas including biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and viscosupplementation. Chitosan shares similar properties with hyaluronan, a natural component of synovial fluid, making it a good candidate for joint disease treatment. The structural and energetic consequences of intermolecular interactions are crucial for understanding the biolubrication phenomenon...
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Magnetic nanocomposites for biomedical applications
PublicationTissue engineering and regenerative medicine have solved numerous problems related to the repair and regeneration of damaged organs and tissues arising from aging, illnesses, and injuries. Nanotechnology has further aided tissue regeneration science and has provided outstanding opportunities to help disease diagnosis as well as treat damaged tissues. Based on the most recent findings, magnetic nanostructures (MNSs), in particular,...
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Abilities, Motivations, and Opportunities of Furloughed Employees in the Context of Covid-19: Preliminary Evidence From the UK
PublicationThe Covid-19 global pandemic is a crisis like no other, forcing governments to implement prolonged national lockdowns in an effort to limit the spread of the disease. As organizations aim to adapt and remain operational, employers can suspend or reduce work activity for events related to Covid-19 and claim government support to subsidize employee wages. In this way, some employees are placed on furlough (i.e., temporary unemployment)...
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Fuzyjne polimerazy DNA – otrzymywanie, charakterystyka i zastosowanie
PublicationObecnie reakcje PCR (ang. Polymerase Chain Reaction) wykazują bardzo szerokie zastosowanie w diagnostyce medycznej, biologii molekularnej czy inżynierii genetycznej. Efektywność tych reakcji rozumiana jako wydajność i wierność przeprowadzonej amplifikacji jest nieodłącznie związana ze stosowaną polimerazą DNA i warunkami prowadzenia reakcji PCR. Aby sprostać wymaganiom stawianym przez nowoczesne metody diagnostyczne oraz współczesną...
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Połączenie G3 dwóch kierunków prostych z użyciem krzywej NURBS
PublicationW artykule przedstawiono nową metodę projektowania układu geometrycznego toru kolejowego opartą na zastosowaniu krzywych NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) do opisu krzywizny. Punkty kontrolne krzywej NURBS wyznaczane są w procesie optymalizacji za pomocą algorytmu genetycznego. Jako kryterium optymalizacji przyjęto minimalizację oddziaływań dynamicznych występujących w układzie tor-pojazd przy spełnieniu warunków geometrycznych...