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Super tough interpenetrating polymeric network of styrene butadiene rubber‐poly (methyl methacrylate) incorporated with general purpose carbon black ( N660 )
PublicationA classic set of polymeric interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) microcomposites has been fabricated using an elastomer—styrene butadiene rubber [SBR], a thermoplastic poly(methyl methacrylate)-PMMA and with carbon black (CB)-N660 as a filler and reinforcing agent. This synthesized IPN composite can be promisingly employed as a toughened plastic and vibrational damper in a wide service range with excellent thermal stability,...
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Theoretical and experimental study on scattering of low-energy electrons by dimethyl and diethyl ethers
PublicationWe report a joint theoretical and experimental investigation on low-energy electron scattering by dimethyl and diethyl ethers. The experimental elastic differential cross sections were measured at impact energies from 1 eV up to 30 eV and scattering angle range of 10◦ to 130◦. Theoretical elastic differential, integral and momentum-transfer cross sections are calculated at impact energies up to 30 eV, employing the Schwinger multichannel...
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High catalytic performance of laccase wired to naphthylated multiwall carbon nanotubes
PublicationThe direct electrical connection of laccase on the electrode surface is a key feature in the design of efficient and stable biocathodes. However, laccases can perform a direct electron transfer only when they are in the preferable orientation toward the electrode. Here we report the investigation of the orientation of Laccase from Amano on multi-walled carbon nanotube surface modified with naphthalene group. Naphthylated multi...
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Cellulose Nanofibers Isolated from the Cuscuta Reflexa Plant as a Green Reinforcement of Natural Rubber
PublicationIn the present work, we used the steam explosion method for the isolation of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from Cuscuta reflexa, a parasitic plant commonly seen in Kerala and we evaluated its reinforcing efficiency in natural rubber (NR). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques...
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as test probes to investigate the retention behavior of 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene silica-bonded stationary phases
PublicationA series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of different size and shape has been used to characterize the chromatographic behavior of five calix[4]arene stationary phases in 1,3-alternate conformation synthesized in our laboratory. The selection of linear, fourring nonlinear, and five-ring PAHs gave data on selectivity changes across range of the calix[4]arene columns. Retention of the 12 aromatic solutes has been evaluated...
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Anaerobic consortia mediate Mn(IV)-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane
PublicationManganese-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (Mn-AOM) is a major methane sink and vital to mitigating global warming. However, it is difficult for microorganisms to mediate electron transfer between the hardly dissolved CH4 and insoluble Mn(IV) minerals, leading to poor understanding of species mediating Mn-AOM. This study successfully enriched an anaerobic consortium mediating AOM driven by Mn-dependent respiratory growth,...
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Optoelectronic properties of curved carbon systems
PublicationSystematic investigation of optoelectronic properties of curved carbon systems has been performed and the results have been compared with the representatives of flat carbon systems. Moreover, the application of third order dispersion corrected density functional tight binding method (with third order corrections of self-consistent charges) including Becke-Johnson dumping (DFTB3-D3(BJ)) has been validated in order to obtain reliable...
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Cure kinetics of epoxy/MWCNTs nanocomposites: Isothermal calorimetric and rheological analyses
PublicationA combinatorial route has been applied in cure kinetics study of epoxy nanocomposites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on differential scanning calorimetry and rheokinetic analyses under isothermal conditions. Pristine and amine-modified MWCNTs bearing primary and secondary amines were used at very low concentrations (0.1 and 0.3 wt.% based on epoxy weight). Model-free and model-fitting methods were applied...
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Structural changes of a simple peptide—Trpzip-1—in aqueous solutions and the corresponding hydration phenomena under the influence of temperature
PublicationTrpzip-1, a simple β-hairpin, is a rare example of peptide with stable secondary structure and can be a convenient model to study temperature-related processes that potential prion or amyloid proteins undergo. Although its sequence is simple, the exact processes which the peptide undergoes in aqueous solutions are quite complex and not well understood. The selection of well-established experimental (DSC, FTIR) and theoretical methods...
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Global and regional economic inequality: Methods of measurement and evidences
PublicationThe lack of countries’ statistical income data, comparable across countries and years, seems to be the main reason of controversial conjectures concerning global inequality and its evolution over time. In the databases, which purport to collect income data on a worldwide scale, only some summary statistics (quantile income shares, means, Gini indices) are presented. Therefore, the development of efficient methods of extracting...
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Syntheses, Structures and Reactivity of Terminal Phosphido Complexes of Iron(II) Supported by a β-Diketiminato Ligand
PublicationWe report the synthesis of the first series of terminal phosphido iron complexes supported by a β‐diketiminato ligand (Dippnacnac) and their catalytic activity in dehydrocoupling of secondary phosphines. Anionic and neutral mono‐ or diphosphido complexes were obtained from the reaction of [(Dippnacnac)FeCl2Li(dme)2] with the R2PLi (R = iPr, tBu, Cy, Ph) phosphides by tuning the stoichiometric ratio, polarity of the solvent, and...
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Innovative cold-formed GEB section under compression
PublicationCold-formed steel sections extensively affect the modern steel construction industry. Not only are they used as secondary elements like purlins or sheeting, but also they can serve as primary load-bearing members in fabricated steel panels and trusses. A new cross-section called shortly a GEB may serve as that member. However, its existence of the metal building structures industry depends on the exact, optimal dimensional parameters...
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Insight into (Electro)magnetic Interactions within Facet-Engineered BaFe12O19/TiO2 Magnetic Photocatalysts
PublicationA series of facet-engineered TiO2/BaFe12O19 composites were synthesized through hydrothermal growth of both phases and subsequent deposition of the different, faceted TiO2 nanoparticles onto BaFe12O19 microplates. The well-defined geometry of the composite and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of the ferrite allowed alternate interfaces between both phases and fixed the orientation between the TiO2 crystal structure and the remanent...
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Synthesis, characterization and Luminescent Properties of New Coordination Polymers Based on p-tert Butylcalix[4]arene-tetracarboxylic acid and Lanthanine cations
PublicationA series of new coordination polymers based on p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetracarboxylic acid with Eu3+, Tb3+wrer prepared by hydro and solvothermal methods. the obtained solid compounds were characterized by infrared and luminescence spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scianning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric anylisis. The infrared curves and the x-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the same crystalline structure...
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Jednoelektronowy atom Diraca w słabym polu magnetycznym
PublicationW rozprawie przedstawiono opis wpływu zewnętrznego stałego, słabego, jednorodnego pola magnetycznego na jednoelektronowy atom Diraca. Wykorzystując funkcje gęstości ładunku elektrycznego oraz gęstości prądu elektrycznego, rozważono procesy indukowania się w atomie dodatkowych elektromagnetycznych momentów multipolowych. Dokonano analizy indukowanego momentu dipolowego, w wyniku której uzyskano wyrażenie dla magnetyzowalności atomu....
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Synthesis and hydrogen evolving catalysis of a panchromatic photochemical molecular device
PublicationA dinuclear hydrogen evolution photocatalyst [(tbbpy)2Os(tpphz)PtI2](PF6)2 (tbbpy = 4,4′-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine; tpphz = tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c:2′′,3′′-h:2′′′,3′′′-j]phenazine) is synthesized in order to make use of the broader range of visible light absorption mitigated by the osmium center. In a first step, the activity of the complex for hydrogen evolution is investigated by evaluating the role of different electron donors...
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Experimental tuning of AuAg nanoalloy plasmon resonances assisted by machine learning method
PublicationPlasmonic nanostructures based on AuAg nanoalloys were fabricated by thermal annealing of metallic films in an argon atmosphere. The nanoalloys were chosen because they can extend the wavelength range in which plasmon resonance occurs and thus allow the design of plasmonic platforms with the desired parameters. The influence of initial fabrication parameters and experimental conditions on the formation of nanostructures was investigated....
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Mechanical Behavior of Bi-Layer and Dispersion Coatings Composed of Several Nanostructures on Ti13Nb13Zr Alloy
PublicationTitanium implants are commonly used because of several advantages, but their surface modification is necessary to enhance bioactivity. Recently, their surface coatings were developed to induce local antibacterial properties. The aim of this research was to investigate and compare me-chanical properties of three coatings: multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), bi-layer composed of an inner MWCNTs layer and an outer TiO2 layer, and...
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Hierarchical MnO2 nanoflowers blooming on 3D nickel foam: A novel micro-macro catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation
PublicationIn this work, birnessite-type δ-MnO2 nanoflowers were uniformly deposited on 3D nickel foam (NF) by one-step hydrothermal route for high-efficient activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) towards degradation of acid orange 7 (AO7). High specific surface area, large pore volume and 3D hierarchical structure promotes the mass and electron transfer for great catalytic activity. Low reaction energy barrier (Ea=27.5 kJ/mol) and outstanding...
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Hydrogen Embrittlement and Oxide Layer E ect in the Cathodically Charged Zircaloy-2
PublicationThe present paper is aimed at determining the less investigated effects of hydrogen uptake on the microstructure and the mechanical behavior of the oxidized Zircaloy-2 alloy. The specimens were oxidized and charged with hydrogen. The different oxidation temperatures and cathodic current densities were applied. The scanning electron microscopy, X-ray electron diffraction spectroscopy, hydrogen absorption assessment, tensile, and...
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INNOVATIVE THERMODYNAMICAL CYCLES BASED ON ENHANCEMENT MASS, MOMENTUM, ENTROPY AND ELECTRICITY TRANSPORT DUE TO SLIP, MOBILITY, TRANSPIRATION, ENTROPY AND ELECTRIC JUMPS AS WELL AS OTHER NANO-FLOWS PHENOMENA
PublicationIn our work, a further development of the authors model of thermo-chemical flow of fuel, air, oxygen, steam water, species, ionic and electron currents within nano channels and nano-structures of novel devices is presented. Different transport enhancement models are taken into account -among them the most important are: the velocity slip connected with complex external friction, the Darcy mobility and the Reynolds transpiration....
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The potential of imogolite nanotubes as (co-)photocatalysts: a linear-scaling density functional theory study
PublicationWe report a linear-scaling density functional theory (DFT) study of the structure, wall-polarization absolute band-alignment and optical absorption of several, recently synthesized, open-ended imogolite (Imo) nanotubes (NTs), namely single-walled (SW) aluminosilicate (AlSi), SW aluminogermanate (AlGe), SW methylated aluminosilicate (AlSi-Me), and double-walled (DW) AlGe NTs. Simulations with three different semi-local and dispersion-corrected...
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Experimental and Quantum Chemical Evaluation of 8-Hydroxyquinoline as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Copper in 0.1 M HCl
PublicationThe corrosion inhibition properties of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) in 0.1 M HCl for copper have been investigated by using experimental (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS), and potentiodynamic polarization) and theoretical methods complemented by surface morphological examination with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy...
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A continual model of a damaged medium used for analyzing fatigue life of polycrystalline structural alloys under thermal–mechanical loading
PublicationThe main physical laws of thermal–plastic deformation and fatigue damage accumulation processes in polycrystalline structural alloys under various regimes of cyclic thermal–mechanical loading are considered. Within the framework of mechanics of damaged media, a mathematical model is developed that describes thermal–plastic deformation and fatigue damage accumulation processes under low-cycle loading. The model consists of three...
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The Effect of Long Term Service at Elevated Temperatures on Microstructure Degradation of Austenitic Reformer Tubes
PublicationThe paper analyses the relationship between an increase of the inner diameter of tubes made of Manaurite XM cast steel and transformations occurring in their microstructure due to long-lasting operation in methane reformer. Examinations included metallographic analysis with light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and microanalysis of the chemical composition of precipitates (EDX). It was indicated that there is...
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Comparison and Optimization of Saccharification Conditions of Alkaline Pre-Treated Triticale Straw for Acid and Enzymatic Hydrolysis Followed by Ethanol Fermentation
PublicationThis paper concerns the comparison of the efficiency of two-stage hydrolysis processes, i.e., alkaline pre-treatment and acid hydrolysis, as well as alkaline pre-treatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, carried out in order to obtain reducing sugars from triticale straw. For each of the analyzed systems, the optimization of the processing conditions was carried out with respect to the glucose yield. For the alkaline pre-treatment,...
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Improving listeners' experience for movie playback through enhancing dialogue clarity in soundtracks
PublicationThis paper presents a method for improving users' quality of experience through processing of movie soundtracks. The dialogue clarity enhancement algorithms were introduced for detecting dialogue in movie soundtrack mixes and then for amplifying the dialogue components. The front channel signals (left, right, center) are analyzed in the frequency domain. The selected partials in the center channel signal, which yield high disparity...
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Decoupled Kalman filter based identification of time-varying FIR systems
PublicationWhen system parameters vary at a fast rate, identification schemes based on model-free local estimation approaches do not yield satisfactory results. In cases like this, more sophisticated parameter tracking procedures must be used, based on explicit models of parameter variation (often referred to as hypermodels), either deterministic or stochastic. Kalman filter trackers, which belong to the second category, are seldom used in...
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Topochemical, Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal [2+2] Photocycloadditions Driven by Chalcogen‐Bonding Interactions
PublicationThe face-to-face association of (E)-1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpen) molecules into rectangular motifs stabilized for the first time by chalcogen bonding (ChB) interactions is shown to provide photoreactive systems leading to cyclobutane formation through single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2+2] photodimerizations. The chelating chalcogen bond donors are based on original aromatic, ortho-substituted bis(selenocyanato)benzene derivatives...
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X-ray and UV Radiation Damage of dsDNA/Protein Complexes
PublicationRadiation and photodynamic therapies are used for cancer treatment by targeting DNA. However, efficiency is limited due to physico-chemical processes and the insensitivity of native nucleobases to damage. Thus, incorporation of radio- and photosensitizers into these therapies should increase both efficacy and the yield of DNA damage. To date, studies of sensitization processes have been performed on simple model systems, e.g.,...
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Efficient Multi-Objective Simulation-Driven Antenna Design Using Co-Kriging
PublicationA methodology for fast multi-objective antenna optimization is presented. Our approach is based on response surface approximation (RSA) modeling and variable-fidelity electromagnetic (EM) simulations. In the design process, a computationally cheap RSA surrogate model constructed from sampled coarse-discretization EM antenna simulations is optimized using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. The initially determined Pareto...
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Superexcited states in the vacuum-ultraviolet photofragmentation of isoxazole molecules
PublicationThe photofragmentation of isoxazole molecules producing excited atomic and molecular fragments has been investigated over the energy range 16-50 eV, using photon-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The following fragments have been identified by their fluorescence: the excited hydrogen atoms H(n), n = 3-7 and the diatomic CH(A2Δ, B2Σ−), CN(B2Σ+) and C2(d3Πg) fragments. The diatomic fragments are vibrationally and highly rotationally...
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Isolation and characterization of Acid Soluble Collagen from the Skin of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Salmon (Salmo salar) and Baltic cod (Gadus morhua)
PublicationAcid-soluble collagen (ASC) from the fish skin of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Salmon (Salmo salar) and Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) was extracted and characterized. The ASC extraction yield was 75%, 73% and 68%, respectively. The denaturation and melting temperatures of African catfish ASC (29.3°C and 100.0°C) were significantly higher than ASC of Salmon and Baltic cod (20.6°C and 90.5°C; 15.2°C and 86.7°C, respectively), assessed...
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Organic and conventional kiwifruit, myths versus reality: antioxidant, antiproliferative and helth effects
PublicationComparison between organic and conventional kiwifruit cultivars 'Hayward' and 'Bidan', which was done by four radical scavenging assays, ESI-MS, and DSC measurements, showed significant differences between the cultivars. Such results were not estimated in kiwifruit growing under organic and conventional conditions. The extraction of bioactive compounds was done by two different methods: sequential extraction with ethyl acetate...
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The Application of Cluster Analysis in the Assessment of the Weldability of Unalloyed Steels
PublicationNon-alloy steels constitute a large group of steels characterised by diversified chemical composition, structural morphology and a wide range of mechanical properties (determining weldability). The paper presents results of multidimensional analyses (based on cluster analysis) of 110 selected unalloyed steel grades. Properties adopted as diagnostic features included the chemical composition, mechanical properties (yield point)...
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Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells as novel electrochemical devices
PublicationProton ceramic conductors are novel materials which are interesting from the application point of view. For example, Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells (PCFCs) is a type of a solid oxide fuel cell, which uses proton ceramic conductors as an electrolyte. Scientists are looking for the most efficient materials for these devices. In recent years main focus has been put on the search for new proton and mixed proton-electron conductors which...
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The photocurrent quantum efficiency dependence on the applied voltage in organic solar cells
PublicationWe demonstrate that our recently reported model (Szmytkowski 2007 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 40 3352) of the photocurrent quantum efficiency in organic semiconductors explains the external quantum efficiency dependence on the electric field in organic solar cells. This effect can be explained by taking into account that the photogeneration of charge carriers occurs via the electron-hole pair dissociation and the space charge effects...
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Transportable, Portable and Micro Gas Chromatographs
PublicationSignificant benefits can be obtained by miniaturization of conventional benchtop gas chromatographs. The attractive features arising from miniaturization include low-power requirements, low heat capacity of separation columns, low consumption of mobile phase, enhanced performance, higher portability, and easily coupling to detectors and secondary chromatographic systems. In separation sciences, including gas phase separations,...
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Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for determination of the terpenes profile of blue honeysuckle berries
PublicationTerpenes are the main group of secondary metabolites, which play essential role in human. The establishment of the terpenes profile of berries of different blue honeysuckle cultivars was achieved by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GCGC-TOFMS). The berries were found to contain 44 terpenes identified by GCGC-TOFMS....
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MP3vec: A Reusable Machine-Constructed Feature Representation for Protein Sequences
Publication—Machine Learning (ML) methods have been used with varying degrees of success on protein prediction tasks, with two inherent limitations. First, prediction performance often depends upon the features extracted from the proteins. Second, experimental data may be insufficient to construct reliable ML models. Here we introduce MP3vec, a transferable representation for protein sequences that is designed to be used specifically for sequence-to-sequence...
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Self-optimizing narrowband interference canceller - can reference signal help?
PublicationSONIC (Self-Optimizing Narrowband Interference Canceller) is an acronym of the recently proposed active noise control algorithm with interesting adaptivity and robustness properties. SONIC is a purely feedback controller, capable of rejecting nonstationary sinusoidal disturbances (with time-varying amplitudes and/or frequencies) in the presence of plant (secondary path) uncertainties. We show that even though SONIC can work reliably...
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Crack propoagation in MgO-PSZ ceramic materials
PublicationThe properties of ceramic materials such as elevated hardness, high temperature capability, low coefficient of thermal expansion are of interest for rolling element materials. Widely used ceramic materials in engineering applications are silicon nitride, zirconia and alumina. The paper presents an experimental study of the fatigue life of MgO-PSZ ceramic material in lubricated contact with defined types of cracks. A ceramic angular...
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Nano-structured Pt embedded in acidic salts of heteropolymolybdate matrices: MS EXAFS study
PublicationA structural study of Pt nano-catalysts is presented in the paper. The innovation in the case of the considered catalytic materials resides in the use a meso-microporous inorganic matrix of heteropolyacid salt of composition X2.5H0.5YMo12O40 where X = Rb, Cs and Y = P, Si as a catalyst support. Metallic nanoparticles were created by platinum ions reduction in a hot H2/Argon stream and were mainly located into matrix pores. As the...
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Solvation of ionic liquids based on N-alkyl-N-methylmorpholinium cations in N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide – A volumetric and acoustic study
PublicationApparent molar volumes and molar isentropic compressibilities for N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholinium and N-decyl-N-methylmorpholinium tetrafluoroborates in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been determined from density and speed of sound measurements over the temperature range T = (298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15, 318.15 and 328.15) K at experimental pressure p = 0.1 MPa. This data has been used to calculate...
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Pendant Proton-Relays Systematically Tune the Rate and Selectivity of Electrocatalytic Ammonia Generation in a Fe-Porphyrin Based Metal-Organic Framework
PublicationElectrocatalytic nitrite reduction (eNO2RR) is a promising alternative route to produce ammonia (NH3). Until now, several molecular catalysts have shown capability to homogeneously reduce nitrite to NH3, while taking advantage of added secondary-sphere functionalities to direct catalytic performance. Yet, realizing such control over heterogeneous electrocatalytic surfaces remains a challenge. Herein, we demonstrate that heterogenization...
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Bile conjugation and its effect on in vitro lipolysis of emulsions
PublicationBile Salts (BS) are responsible for stimulating lipid digestion in our organism. Gut microbiota are responsible for the deconjugation process of primary conjugated to secondary unconjugated BS. We use two structurally distinct BS and characterize the rate of lipolysis as a compound parameter. A static in-vitro digestion model as well as meta-analysis of literature data has been performed to determine the most influential factors...
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The role and scope of architectural and conservation research procedures in the process of restoring the splendour of an architectural monument created after 1945 on the example of the Suburban Railway Station in Gdynia
PublicationModern Movement buildings, despite their relatively recent construction, are sometimes affected by radical transformations of layout and form. The railway stations being one of the most important public buildings in the city are a special group of them. Due to long-term and intensive use they may bear the signs of exploitation of parts of its substance and have secondary transformations disharmony with the building. The subject...
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PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CoFe2O4/TiO2-PANI HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITE WITH MAGNETIC AND PHOYOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY
PublicationHybrid nanocomposites consisting of inorganic component and organic conducting polymer are promising materials, which can be applied in heterogeneous photocatalysis. Titanium(IV) oxide is widely used photocatalysts due to its non-toxicity, low cost and chemical stability. The main disadvantage of TiO2 is low photocatalytic activity under visible light. Conducting polymers, also known as conjugated polymers are polymer materials...
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Photosensitization of TiO2 and SnO2 by Artificial Self-Assembling Mimics of the Natural Chlorosomal Bacteriochlorophylls
PublicationOf all known photosynthetic organisms, the green sulfur bacteria are able to survive under the lowest illumination conditions due to highly efficient photon management and exciton transport enabled by their special organelles, the chlorosomes, which consist mainly of self-assembled bacteriochlorophyll c, d, or e molecules. A challenging task is to mimic the principle of self-assembling chromophores in artificial light-harvesting...
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Structural and physico-mechanical properties of natural rubber/GTR composites devulcanized by microwaves: Influence of GTR source and irradiation time
PublicationGround tire rubber from car and truck was modified using microwave irradiation at variable time. The irradiated ground tire rubber was used as filler in composites based on natural rubber. The composites, with high content of ground tire rubber, were prepared using an internal batch mixer and subsequently cross-linked at 160℃. The influence of the ground tire rubber source (car/truck) and irradiation time on structure, physico-mechanical...