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Search results for: AGENT SYSTEM
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Activated Carbon Produced by Pyrolysis of Waste Wood and Straw for PotentialWastewater Adsorption
PublicationPyrolysis of straw pellets and wood strips was performed in a fixed bed reactor. The chars, solid products of thermal degradation, were used as potential materials for activated carbon production. Chemical and physical activation processes were used to compare properties of the products. The chemical activation agent KOH was chosen and the physical activation was conducted with steam and carbon dioxide as oxidising gases. The eect...
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Isolation of Bacteriocin-producing Staphylococcus spp. Strains from Human Skin Wounds, Soft Tissue Infections and Bovine Mastitis
PublicationA collection of 206 Staphylococcus spp. isolates was investigated for their ability to produce compounds exhibiting antistaphylococcal activity. This group included Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus xylosus strains recovered from bovine mastitis (n = 158) and human skin wounds and soft tissues infections (n = 48). Production of substances with antimicrobial activity was observed in six strains. Five...
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How to meet when you forget: log-space rendezvous in arbitrary graphs
PublicationTwo identical (anonymous) mobile agents start from arbitrary nodes in an a priori unknown graph and move synchronously from node to node with the goal of meeting. This rendezvous problem has been thoroughly studied, both for anonymous and for labeled agents, along with another basic task, that of exploring graphs by mobile agents. The rendezvous problem is known to be not easier than graph exploration. A well-known recent result...
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Hybrid use of the building as a method supporting epidemic safety
PublicationThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changing organisational and technical requirements in the operation of treatment facilities. This paper summarises the available knowledge on the principles of hybrid design of the architecture of treatment units to ensure that different levels of sanitary and hygienic safeguards can be implemented. The basis of this narrative overview is an analysis of the existing Polish legislation on required...
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Student model representation for pedagogical virtual mentors
PublicationThe paper concerns technological aspects of virtual mentors construction, especially concentrating on the student model representation. The article distinguishes several types of information that is gathered by the pedagogical agents and other educational platforms, including student knowledge model, student progress tracking, interaction process patterns and learner preferences. A set of technologies used for the student model...
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Fake VIP Attacks and Their Mitigation via Double-Blind Reputation
PublicationIn a generic setting subsuming communication networks, resource sharing systems, and multi-agent communities, a client generates objects of various classes carrying class-dependent signatures, to which a server assigns class-dependent service quality. A Fake VIP attack consists in false declaration of a high class, with an awareness that detection of object signature at the server side is costly and so invoked reluctantly. We show...
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Comparative molecular modelling of biologically active sterols
PublicationMembrane sterols are targets for a clinically important antifungal agent – amphotericin B. The relatively specific antifungal action of the drug is based on a stronger interaction of amphotericin B with fungal ergosterol than with mammalian cholesterol. Conformational space occupied by six sterols has been defined using the molecular dynamics method to establish if the conformational features correspond to the preferential interaction...
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Study on population dynamics for triple-linked food chain using a simulation-based approach
PublicationThe procedures based on simulation have become a feasible testing method that does not require investing valuable resources to create a concrete prototype, especially with the increasing computational power of computers. Thus, design changes can be adopted and design errors can be fixed before it is too late. Simulation turns to be a cheap, safe and often more acceptable from an ethical perspective. In our work we summarize the...
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How Chain Transfer Leads to a Uniform Polymer Particle Morphology and Prevents Reactor Fouling
PublicationABSTRACT: The effect of adding diethyl zinc as a chain transfer agent during the polymerization of propylene in heptane performed at 80 °C was studied. Although it was expected that the chain transfer would stop after precipitation of the polymer, the polymer molecular weight continued to increase throughout the whole of the polymerization. The presence of diethyl zinc had an additional effect that the polymerizations were devoid...
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Deep eutectic solvents based assay for extraction and determination of zinc in fish and eel samples using FAAS
PublicationA new assay based on effective (high recovery) extraction by means of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was developed for ppb level determination of zinc in fishes and eel samples. Choline chloride and Phenol in a 1:2 M ratio was selected as optimal DES-based extraction solvent. 8-Hydroxy quinoline was used as a chelating agent for zinc ions. The optimized conditions were found at pH value of 8, ligand concentration of 10 mg/L, THF...
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Relationships between Trust and Collaborative Culture in The Context of Tacit Knowledge Sharing
PublicationThe literature review presents a lot of theoretical and empirical evidence that Trust affects Collaborative Culture. The opposite also proves to be true: Collaborative Culture influences Trust. The main hypothesis presented in this paper says that both these factors are strongly correlated and modify each other. This study examines the mutual relationship of the said variables in the context of Tacit Knowledge Sharing based on...
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Reduced Graphene Oxide Joins Graphene Oxide To Teach Undergraduate Students Core Chemistry and Nanotechnology Concepts
PublicationNovel carbon nanomaterials such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphene oxide (GO) can be easily incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum to discuss basic chemistry and nanotechnology concepts. This paper describes a laboratory experiment designed to study the differences between GO and rGO regarding their physico-chemical properties (e.g. color, hydrophobicity, type of functional groups, electrical conductivity etc.)....
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Optimization of Graphene Oxide Synthesis and Its Reduction
PublicationIn this article, we present the review of the chemical methods of synthesis of graphene oxide and its reduction in order to obtain the so-called reduced graphene oxide (rGO) whose properties are similar to those of pure graphene. We also present our experiments and the results in this field and the comparison of the efficiency of different methods of synthesis as well as the reduction of graphene oxide. To characterize the obtained...
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A proposition for integrating elements of game universe by means of behavioral trees
PublicationModern computer games often involve autonomous beings collaborating and competing with each other to reach their objectives in the game universe. It seems only natural to use agent-oriented approach in such cases. This article identifies the rules of building a game universe as an environment for executing agents. The paper also covers a method for decomposing compound behaviors into behavioral trees. Dividing complex behaviors...
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Integration of brood units in game universe
PublicationAn access to a great number of various services allows for decomposition of complex problems Developing a game universe usually involves creation of various units which can be encountered by a player. Those can be lonely or organized in broods animals and monsters wandering around the game world. In order to provide natural gaming experience those units should behave variously depending on the world situation. Those behaviours...
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Beta-galactosidase activity of Meiothermus ruber cells
PublicationFreeze-dried cells of Meiothermus ruber catalyses cleavage of o-nitrophenyl-b-D-galactopiranoside (oNPb-gal) and conversion of lactose into glucose and galactose. The permeabilization with 2%toluene,20%ethanol and 20%acetone increased enzymatic activity from 74.87 U/g of lyophilized cells up to 129.44,114.38 and 90.19 U/g,respectively. Ethanol was an effective permeabilizing agent and its efficiency was dependent on the concentration,...
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A Review of Traffic Analysis Attacks and Countermeasures in Mobile Agents' Networks
PublicationFor traditional, message-based communication, traffic analysis has been already studied for over three decades and during that time various attacks have been recognised. As far as mobile agents’ networks are concerned only a few, specific-scope studies have been conducted. This leaves a gap that needs to be addressed as nowadays, in the era of Big Data, the Internet of Things, Smart Infrastructures and growing concerns for privacy,...
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Natural Products Counteracting Cardiotoxicity during Cancer Chemotherapy: The Special Case of Doxorubicin, a Comprehensive Review
PublicationCardiotoxicity is a frequent undesirable phenomenon observed during oncological treatment that limits the therapeutic dose of antitumor drugs and thus may decrease the effec-‐‑ tiveness of cancer eradication. Almost all antitumor drugs exhibit toxic properties towards cardiac muscle. One of the underlying causes of cardiotoxicity is stimulation of oxidative...
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Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Poly(ester-Urethane-Urea)s Synthesized Using Biobased Diamine
PublicationModern polymer science and technology is focused on the development of partial or fully green polymers. This focus is related to green chemistry trends, which propose using natural and renewable resources as monomers in the synthesis of polymers. In this study, biobased diamine was used as a chain extender of ester-urethane prepolymer. Obtained poly(ester-urethane-urea) contains 16 wt% of biobased diamine. There is mention of an...
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Phage therapy as a novel strategy in the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by E. coli
PublicationUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are regarded as one of the most common bacterial infections affecting millions of people, in all age groups, annually in the world. The major causative agent of complicated and uncomplicated UTIs are uropathogenic E. coli strains (UPECs). Huge problems with infections of this type are their chronicity and periodic recurrences. Other disadvantages that are associated with UTIs are accompanying complications...
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Ionic liquids for nano- and microstructures preparation. Part 2: Application in synthesis
PublicationIonic liquids (ILs) are widely applied to prepare metal nanoparticles and 3D semiconductor microparticles. Generally, they serve as a structuring agent or reaction medium (solvent), however it was also demonstrated that ILs can also play a role of a co-solvent, metal precursor, reducing as well as surface modifying agent. The crucial role and possible types of interactions between ILs and growing particles have been presented in...
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Zastosowanie chromatografii jonowej w analityce surfaktantów (zpc)
PublicationSurfaktanty (ang. surface active agent, SAA) stanowią grupę związków charakteryzujących się specyficznymi właściwościami fizykochemicznymi. Podstawową właściwością związków powierzchniowo czynnych jest ich zdolność rozpuszczania się w roztworach, których składnikami są substancje polarne i niepolarne. Różnorodność możliwości zastosowania związków powierzchniowo czynnych nie pozostaje bez wpływu na środowisko. Stosowanie surfaktantów...
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Antimicrobial molecular nanocarrier–drug conjugates
PublicationMany antimicrobial drugs are poorly active against pathogenic microbes causing intracellular infections, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Plasmodium falciparum. On the other hand, several known antimicrobial agents are not effective enough because of their limited cellular penetration. A common feature of both challenges is the inability of an active agent to cross the biological membrane(s). One of the possible approaches...
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Time versus space trade-offs for randezvous in trees
PublicationTwo identical (anonymous) mobile agents start from arbitrary nodes of an unknown tree and have to meet at some node. Agents move in synchronous rounds: in each round an agent can either stay at the current node or move to one of its neighbors. We consider deterministic algorithms for this rendezvous task. The main result of this paper is a tight trade-off between the optimal time of completing rendezvous and the size of memory...
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Collaborative Exploration of Trees by Energy-Constrained Mobile Robots
PublicationWe study the problem of exploration of a tree by mobile agents (robots) that have limited energy. The energy constraint bounds the number of edges that can be traversed by a single agent. We use a team of agents to collectively explore the tree and the objective is to minimize the size of this team. The agents start at a single node, the designated root of the tree and the height of the tree is assumed to be less than the energy...
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Advanced oxidation treatment of Pentoxifylline in aqueous solution
PublicationThe degradation of pentoxifylline (PTX) using H2O2, UV, H2O2/UV, Fenton and photo- Fenton processes has been examined in aqueous solution. The influence of various amount of oxidation agent on H2O2, H2O2/UV, Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions were investigated. Initial PTX concentration in Fenton and photo-Fenton was considerated. The addition of inorganic ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42- and CO32-) on the degradation efficiency of PTX were...
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Investigation of Wood Flour Size, Aspect Ratios, and Injection Molding Temperature on Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour/Polyethylene Composites
PublicationIn the present research, wood flour reinforced polyethylene polymer composites with a coupling agent were prepared by injection molding. The effects of wood flour size, aspect ratios, and mold injection temperature on the composites’ mechanical properties were investigated. For the preparation of the polymer composites, five different formulations were created. The mechanical properties including tensile strength and the modulus,...
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Microporous N-Doped Carbon Obtained from Salt Melt Pyrolysis of Chitosan toward Supercapacitor and Oxygen Reduction Catalysts
PublicationThe direct carbonization of low-cost and abundant chitosan biopolymer in the presencesalt eutectics leads to highly microporous, N-doped nanostructures. The microporous structureeasily manufactured using eutectic mixture (ZnCl2 -KCl) and chitosan. Potassium ions here can act as an intercalating agent, leading to the formation of lamellar carbon sheets, whereas zinc chloride generates significant porosity. Here, we present an efficient...
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Triazoloacridone C-1305 impairs XBP1 splicing by acting as a potential IRE1α endoribonuclease inhibitor
PublicationInositol requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) is one of three signaling sensors in the unfolding protein response (UPR) that alleviates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cells and functions to promote cell survival. During conditions of irrevocable stress, proapoptotic gene expression is induced to promote cell death. One of the three signaling stressors, IRE1α is an serine/threonine-protein kinase/endoribonuclease (RNase) that...
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Optimisation and field assessment of poroelastic wearing course bond quality
PublicationCompared to typical asphalt mixtures, poroelastic mixtures are characterised by high porosity and high flexibility, which are desirable for traffic noise reduction. However, the same properties increase the risk of debonding from the lower layer, which is a significant source of premature damage. The study investigates which of the factors – tack coat agent, type and texture of the lower layer – have the greatest impact on interlayer...
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Merging Proline:Xylitol Eutectic Solvent in Crosslinked Chitosan Pervaporation Membranes for Enhanced Water Permeation in Dehydrating Ethanol
PublicationThe scope of this research aims at merging a new deep eutectic mixture (DES) into a biopolymer-based membrane for a pervaporation application in dehydrating ethanol. Herein, an L-proline:xylitol (at 5:1) eutectic mixture was successfully synthesized and blended with chitosan (CS). A complete characterization of the hybrid membranes, in terms of morphology, solvent uptake, and hydrophilicity, has been conducted. As part of their...
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Isolation and structure of a covalent cross-link adduct between mitomycin C and DNA
PublicationA DNA cross-link adduct of the antitumor agent mitomycin C (MC) to DNA has been isolated and characterized; the results provide direct proof for bifunctional alkylation of DNA by MC. Exposure of MC to Micrococcus luteus DNA under reductive conditions and subsequent nuclease digestion yielded adducts formed between MC and deoxyguanosine residues. In addition to the two known monoadducts, a bisadduct was obtained. Reductive MC activation...
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The novel sterilization device: the prototype testing
PublicationCurrently, there are numerous methods that can be used to neutralize pathogens (i.e., devices, tools, or protective clothing), but the sterilizing agent must be selected so that it does not damage or change the properties of the material to which it is applied. Dry sterilization with hydrogen peroxide gas (VHP) in combination with UV-C radiation is well described and effective method of sterilization. This paper presents the design,...
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Preparation, characterization and anti-colitis activity of curcumin-asafoetida complex encapsulated in turmeric nanofiber
PublicationUlcerative colitis (UC) is a main form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Asafoetida (ASF) and turmeric have traditionally been used for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, including UC, because ASF is rich in sulfur compounds and turmeric contains curcumin (CUR). Turmeric nanofiber (TNF), the modified cell wall component of turmeric is considered to play important role in the human diet, health and can be used as...
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Performance properties of rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate/brewers’ spent grain foamed composites as function of isocyanate index
PublicationIn the presented work, rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR-PIR) foams filled with brewers’ spent grain (BSG) were prepared. The influence of the isocyanate index (II) on its performance was investigated. Foams obtained with higher isocyanate index required a higher amount of hydrofluorocarbon physical blowing agent to provide the same apparent density of material. An increase of isocyanate index resulted in a slight decrease...
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Synthesis of functionalized new conjugates of batracylin with tuftsin/ retro-tuftsin derivatives and their biological evaluation
PublicationNew batracylin conjugates with tuftsin/retro-tuftsin derivatives were designed and synthesized using T3P as a coupling agent. The conjugates possess an amide bond formed between the carboxyl group of heterocyclic molecule and the N-termini of the tuftsin/retro-tuftsin chain. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the new analogues and their precursors was evaluated using a series of human and murine tumor cells. BAT conjugates containing...
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Morphology, surface properties and photocatalytic activity of the bismuth oxyhalides semiconductors prepared by ionic liquid assisted solvothermal method
PublicationThis is the first report of the effect of the ILs cation type (imidazolium, pyridinium and pyrrolidinium) on the morphology, surface properties and photoactivity of BiOX semiconductors type obtained by solvothermal method in glycerol. The various ionic liquids (IL) cation type as a halogen source and templating agent for the synthesis of the bismuth oxyhalides nanoparticles has been systematically investigated. The role of ILs...
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Copper Slag as a Potential Waste Filler for Polyethylene-Based Composites Manufacturing
PublicationThe present study aimed to analyze the application of waste material from copper production– copper slag (ŻŻL) as filler for composites based on the high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Copper slag filler was introduced in the amounts of 1–20 wt%, and its influence on the appearance (color analysis), chemical structure (Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy), microstructure (optical microscopy), as well as static (tensile...
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Molecularly targeted nanoparticles: an emerging tool for evaluation of expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in a murine model of peripheral artery disease
PublicationAbstract Background: Molecular imaging with molecularly targeted probes is a powerful tool for studying the spatio-temporal interactions between complex biological processes. The pivotal role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in numerous pathological processes, aroused the demand for RAGE targeted imaging in various diseases. In the study, we evaluated the use of a diagnostic imaging agent for RAGE quantification...
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Durability of Asphalt Concrete Subjected to Deteriorating Effects of Water and Frost
PublicationThe paper presents testing of the detrimental effects of water and frost on asphalt pavements. It included laboratory testing of 5 fatigue life of asphalt concrete that was subjected to action of water and frost and field testing of damages caused by water and frost on 6 existing asphalt pavements, such as stripping, raveling, and potholes. Laboratory simulation of water and frost action was based on the 7 original AASHTO T283...
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A review: Fabrication of porous polyurethane scaffolds
PublicationThe aim of tissue engineering is the fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds that can be used for the reconstruction and regeneration of damaged or deformed tissues and organs. A wide variety of techniques have been developed to create either fibrous or porous scaffolds from polymers, metals, composite materials and ceramics. However, the most promising materials are biodegradable polymers due to their comprehensive mechanical...
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PCR test for Microsporum canis identification
PublicationMicrosporum canis, for which the natural hosts are cats and dogs, is the most prevalent zoophilic agent causing tinea capitis and tinea corporis in humans. We present here a diagnostic PCR test for M. canis, since its detection and species identification is relevant to the choice of treatment and to the understanding of a probable source of infection. An M. canis-specific PCR was evaluated using 130 clinical isolates of dermatophytes...
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Investigation of vortex assisted magnetic deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for separation and determination of vanadium from water and food matrices: Multivariate analysis
PublicationA new and simple vortex assisted magnetic deep eutectic solvent dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure (VA-MDES-DLLME) was developed for the determination of vanadium (V) in food and water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the extraction medium, a bis(acetylpivalylmethane) ethylenediimine (H2APM2en) was used for the complexation of V(V) in sample solution at pH 6. The VA-MDES-DLLME was optimized...
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PLANNING AND ANALYSIS OF EARTHQUAKE DISASTER RELIEF WORK IN ETHIOPIA
PublicationThis paper addresses dynamic planning and analysis of earthquake disaster relief work by analysis the disaster throughout the technical and procedural method. And combine this analysis as continues assessment for better input to investigating planning disaster for discontinuous economic growth. This implemented, considering the vulnerability and hazard analysis as a procedural analysis disaster to estimating acceptance risk leveling...
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Influence of pore formers on electrical properties of CaTi0.9Fe0.1O3-δ perovskite-type ceramics
PublicationPorous CaTi0.9Fe0.1O3-δ (CTF) perovskites were synthesized by the standard solid state method at different sintering temperatures with carbon black (CB), corn starch (CS) and potato starch (PS) as pore-forming agents. The ceramic samples of porosity between 9% and 42% with 5 - 40 μm pore sizes, were obtained by a 6 h sintering at either 1130º C or 1200º C of precursor powder prepared at 1470º C. X-ray diffraction analysis proved...
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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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Towards Computer-Aided Graphene Covered TiO2-Cu/(CuxOy) Composite Design for the Purpose of Photoinduced Hydrogen Evolution
PublicationIn search a hydrogen source, we synthesized TiO2-Cu-graphene composite photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. The catalyst is a new and unique material as it consists of copper-decorated TiO2 particles covered tightly in graphene and obtained in a fluidized bed reactor. Both, reduction of copper from Cu(CH3COO) at the surface of TiO2 particles and covering of TiO2-Cu in graphene thin layer by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) were...
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The Sonocatalytic Activation of Persulfates on Iron Nanoparticle Decorated Zeolite for the Degradation of 1,4-Dioxane in Aquatic Environments
PublicationIn the chemical industry, 1,4-diethylene dioxide, commonly called dioxane, is widely used as a solvent as well as a stabilizing agent for chlorinated solvents. Due to its high miscibility, dioxane is a ubiquitous water contaminant. This study investigates the effectiveness of catalyst- and ultrasound (US)-assisted persulfate (PS) activation with regard to degrading dioxane. As a first step, a composite catalyst was prepared using...
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Utilizing Genome-Wide mRNA Profiling to Identify the Cytotoxic Chemotherapeutic Mechanism of Triazoloacridone C-1305 as Direct Microtubule Stabilization
PublicationRational drug design and in vitro pharmacology profiling constitute the gold standard in drug development pipelines. Problems arise, however, because this process is often dicult due to limited information regarding the complete identification of a molecule’s biological activities. The increasing aordability of genome-wide next-generation technologies now provides an excellent opportunity to understand a compound’s diverse eects...
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Novel methods for diagnosis of pulmonary microangiopathy in diabetes mellitus
PublicationLung microangiopathy is a little known negative influence of diabetes mellitus on the functioning of the lungs. In current medical practice lung microangiopathy is diagnosed by comparing two measurements of lung diffusing capacity - one with the subject standing and one with the subject lying. The necessity to take two measurements is inconvenient. In lung microangiopathy we observe a reduction of diffusing capacity, lung flow...