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Search results for: SUBCRITICAL THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
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ENHANCED MASTER CYCLE - SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF STEAM RANKINE CYCLE
PublicationThe present paper focuses on an enhancement of the Master Cycle. In the first part, the paper presents a classical Master Cycle which is a modification of the double reheat Rankine cycle. This modification allows to slightly increase efficiency, resolves problems caused by superheated steam on bleeds and decreases mass flow rate of steam directed to reheat. These improvements include the implementation of a tuning turbine from...
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Multi-stage magnetic-fluid seals for operating in water - life test procedure, test stand and research results. Part II Results of life tests of multi-stage magnetic - fluid seal operating in water
PublicationThe edge criteria for magnetic-fluid seals durability research were described in previous article [24] and now the tests results are presented. The tests were made with three magnetic fluids using various magnets quantity in magnetic assemblies. If values obtained in the repeated test deviated by more than 10 % from results of the first test an additional control test was made for final characteristics. The characteristics are:...
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Development of banking sectors in Kosovo and Montenegro in the years 2000 - 2010
PublicationThe article presents main aspects of development of banking markets in two Balkan countries - Kosovo and Montenegro. Both of them are charaterised by similar recent history, both in political and economical fields. Their financial sectors have had to be built almost from scretch. The author describes stages of development of competition in the banking sectors, using the following ratios: performace, structure, liquidity. The data...
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Effect of austempering temperature on microstructure and cyclic deformation behaviour of multiphase low-carbon steel
PublicationThis paper examined the cyclic deformation behaviour of multiphase low-carbon steel that was subjected to austempering heat treatments at four temperatures (190 °C, 230 °C, 275 °C, and 315 °C) below the martensite start temperature (Ms = 353 °C). The tests were conducted at room temperature, under fully reversed strain-controlled conditions, with strain amplitudes in the range 0.5–1.0%. The microstructure was observed by transmission...
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The effect of multiaxial geocomposite reinforcement on fatigue performance and crack propagation delay in double-layered asphalt beams
PublicationThe presented study investigates the effect of a recently developed multiaxial geocomposite made of polypropylene geogrid and non-woven fabric on the delay of crack propagation, based on four-point bending tests of large asphalt concrete beams – both for reinforced and non-reinforced specimens. Several approaches are described in this study, including analysis of stiffness modulus decrease and analysis of crack propagation using...
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Photoinduced electron transfer in 5-bromouracil labeled DNA. A contrathermodynamic mechanism revisited by electron transfer theories
PublicationThe understanding of the 5-bromouracil (BrU) based photosensitization mechanism of DNA damage is of large interest due to the potential applications in photodynamic therapy. Photoinduced electron transfer (ET) in BrU labeled duplexes comprising the 50 -GBrU or 50 -ABrU sequence showed that a much lower reactivity was found for the 50 -GBrU pattern. Since the ionization potential of G is lower than that of A, this sequence selectivity...
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Investigation of ecological parameters of a gas turbine combustion chamber with steam injection for the floating production, storage, and offloading vessel
PublicationThe article is dedicated to the investigation of the possibility of using the contact type gas turbine cycle with steam injection into the combustion chamber for the floating production, storage, and offloading vessel in order to increase the specific power and efficiency and reduce emissions of toxic components. A new approach is proposed, associated with the use of the two-stage injection of superheated steam into a gas turbine...
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Modelling of heat transfer in supercritical pressure recuperators
PublicationIn the paper presented is analysis of convective flow heat transfer at supercritical pressure in channels of heat exchanger working in the thermodynamic cycle. The modelling is based on the division of the flow into three regions, namely the heavy fluid, a two phase flow consisting of the heavy and light fluids and finally the light fluid flow. Modelling is concentrated on the region of simultaneous flow of two fluids divided into...
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Pipeline System for Heat Transportation from Nuclear Power Plant – an Optimizing Approach
PublicationOver the last few years heat piping insulation technology and pump systems efficiency have been significantly improved. Reduced thermal losses encourage heat transportation over long distances. It provides an opportunity for increasing thermodynamic efficiency of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) that are often located in rural areas because of safety issues. It can be achieved by Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation, as heat produced...
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Micelle formation of Tween 20 nonionic surfactant in imidazolium ionic liquids
PublicationAggregation behavior of polyoxyethylene (POE)-type nonionic surfactant Tween 20 in imidazolium ionic liquids with varying chain length and different anions, such as tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and trifluoromethanesulfonate, was investigated by means of surface tension, conductivity and dynamic light scattering measurements. The role of the chain length, anion size as well as interactions...
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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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Superconductivity in CaBi2
PublicationSuperconductivity is observed with critical temperature Tc = 2.0 K in self-flux-grown single crystals of CaBi2. This material adopts the ZrSi2 structure type with lattice parameters a = 4.696(1) Å, b = 17.081(2) Å and c = 4.611(1) Å. The crystals of CaBi2 were studied by means of magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements. The heat capacity jump at Tc is DC/gTc = 1.41, confirming bulk superconductivity;...
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Why Are Left-Handed G-Quadruplexes Scarce?
PublicationG-quadruplexes (G4s) are nucleic acid structures crucial for the regulation of gene expression and genome maintenance. While they hold promise as nanodevice components, achieving desired G4 folds requires understanding the interplay between stability and structural properties, like helicity. Although right-handed G4 structures dominate the experimental data, the molecular basis for this preference over left-handed helicity is unclear....
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Example of Using Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm with Nelder–Mead Method for Flow Improvement in Axial Last Stage of Gas–Steam Turbine
PublicationThis article focuses principally on the comparison baseline and the optimized flow efficiency of the final stage of an axial turbine operating on a gas–steam mixture by applying a hybrid Nelder– Mead and the particle swarm optimization method. Optimization algorithms are combined with CFD calculations to determine the flowpaths and thermodynamic parameters. The working fluid in this study is a mixture of steam and gas produced...
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Tin Oxide Encapsulated into Pyrolyzed Chitosan as a Negative Electrode for Lithium Ion Batteries
PublicationTin oxide is one of the most promising electrode materials as a negative electrode for lithium-ion batteries due to its higher theoretical specific capacity than graphite. However, it suffers lack of stability due to volume changes and low electrical conductivity while cycling. To overcome these issues, a new composite consisting of SnO2 and carbonaceous matrix was fabricated. Naturally abundant and renewable chitosan was chosen...
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Cooperation of mono- and bi-articular muscles: human lower limb
PublicationObjectives: The aim of this study was to create and analyze a Pareto-optimal problem that would describe cooperation between mono- and bi-articulate lower limb muscles in sagittal plane. Methods: Equations describing the problem were derived and analyzed, additional constrains were introduced and experimental verification based on gait video analysis was performed. Results: Uncertainty of Pareto-optimal solution is shown for the...
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Buzz-based recognition of the honeybee colony circadian rhythm
PublicationHoneybees are one of the highly valued pollinators. Their work as individuals is appreciated for crops pollination and honey production. It is believed that work of an entire bee colony is intense and almost continuous. The goal of the work presented in this paper is identification of bees circadian rhythm with a use of sound-based analysis. In our research as a source of information on bee colony we use their buzz that have been...
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Titania Nanotubes/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites Produced with the Use of the Atomic Layer Deposition Technique: Estimation of Bioactivity and Nanomechanical Properties
PublicationTitanium dioxide nanotubes/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites were produced on a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V/TNT/HA) and studied as a biocompatible coating for an implant surface modification. As a novel approach for this type of nanocomposite fabrication, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method with an extremely low number of cycles was used to enrich titania nanotubes (TNT) with a very thin hydroxyapatite coating. X-ray diffraction (XRD)...
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On the Hat Problem on the Cycle C7
PublicationThe topic is the hat problem in which each of n players is randomly fitted with a blue or red hat. Then everybody can try to guess simultaneously his own hat color by looking at the hat colors of the other players. The team wins if at least one player guesses his hat color correctly, and no one guesses his hat color wrong; otherwise the team loses. The aim is to maximize the probability of a win. In this version every player can...
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Preparation and Characterization of Nanomaterial Consisting of Silica Aerogel & Carbon Tested as an Electrode in Non-Aqueous Media Containing Lithium Salt.
PublicationSilica aerogel (SiO2ag) was combined with carbonaceous material in the pyrolysis process of hydrocarbons. The obtained nanocomposite SiO2ag/C was amorphous, partially preserving the porous structure of SiO2ag. The specific surface area changes from 445.6 m2/g for pure SiO2ag to 205.52 m2/g SiO2ag/C. The 29Si MAS-NMR shows a three-dimensional matrix with silicon atoms connected to other silicon atoms by four...
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Encapsulation of Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite photocatalyst with polythiophene for prolonged activity in oxidizing and humid environment
PublicationDespite their growing popularity in modern technology, halide perovskites suffer from susceptibility to oxidation, limiting their applications. Our aim was to enhance Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite's performance in humid environments through polythiophene encapsulation. This extended its lifespan while preserving photocatalytic abilities, as demonstrated in toluene decomposition experiments. We confirmed the stability of Cs3Bi2Br9 encapsulated...
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Solubility of dapsone in deep eutectic solvents: Experimental analysis, molecular insights and machine learning predictions
PublicationBackground. Dapsone (DAP) is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial active pharmaceutical ingredient used to treat, e.g., AIDS-related diseases. However, low solubility is a feature hampering its efficient use. Objectives. First, deep eutectic solvents...
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Theory versus experiment for vacuum Rabi oscillations in lossy cavities. II. Direct test of uniqueness of vacuum
PublicationThe paper continues the analysis of vacuum Rabi oscillations we started in part I [Phys. Rev. A 79, 033836 (2009)]. Here we concentrate on experimental consequences for cavity QED of two different classes of representations of harmonic-oscillator Lie algebras. The zero-temperature master equation, derived in part I for irreducible representations of the algebra, is reformulated in a reducible representation that models electromagnetic...
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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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A compartment model of alveolar–capillary oxygen diffusion with ventilation–perfusion gradient and dynamics of air transport through the respiratory tract
PublicationThis paper presents a model of alveolar–capillary oxygen diffusion with dynamics of air transport through the respiratory tract. For this purpose electrical model representing the respiratory tract mechanics and differentia equations representing oxygen membrane diffusion are combined. Relevant thermodynamic relations describing the mass of oxygen transported into the human body are proposed as the connection between these models,...
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Adsorption of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution using sago bark (Metroxylon sagu) as a new potential biosorbent
PublicationThis paper investigated the ability of sago bark (Metroxylon sagu) as a new potential biosorbent in removing Cr(VI) in batch system. The optimum adsorption capacity of sago bark (Metroxylon sagu) was 61.73 mg/g achieved at pH 3, agitation rate of 100 rpm, contact time 60 min, particle size ≤32 μm, and initial concentration of Cr(VI) 1,000 mg/L at room temperature (25°C). The adsorbent regeneration was carried out using 0.01 M HNO3...
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Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the balance of forces governing the formation of a guanine tetrad—a common structural unit of G-quadruplex DNA
PublicationG-quadruplexes (G4) are nucleic acid conformations of guanine-rich sequences, in which guanines are arranged in the square-planar G-tetrads, stacked on one another. G4 motifs form in vivo and are implicated in regulation of such processes as gene expression and chromosome maintenance. The structure and stability of various G4 topologies were determined experimentally; however, the driving forces for their formation are not fully...
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Can sodium 1-alkylsulfonates participate in the sodium dodecyl sulfate micelle formation?
PublicationThe aggregation behavior of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was studied in an aqueous solution in the presence of increasing concentrations of selected sodium 1-alkylsulfonates, namely sodium 1-octanesulfonate, sodium 1-decanesulfonate, and sodium 1-dodecanesufonate. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS was determined by conductivity and fluorescence intensity measurements. The steady-state fluorescence quenching experiments...
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Mn-Co spinel coatings on Crofer 22 APU by electrophoretic deposition: Up scaling, performance in SOFC stack at 850 °C and compositional modifications
PublicationCeramic coatings for metallic interconnects play a key role in limiting corrosion and chromium evaporation in solid oxide cells. This study presents the upscaling of the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique to process Mn-Co spinels on real-dimension Crofer 22 APU interconnects and the test in a SOFC stack. Area specific resistance of long-term test conducted for 5000 h at 850 °C demonstrated that two-steps sintering has a...
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Comparison analysis of selected nuclear power plants supplied with helium from high-temperature gas-cooled reactor
PublicationThe article presents results of efficiency calculations for two 560 MW nuclear cycles with high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). An assumption was made that systems of this type can be used in so-called marine nuclear power plants. The first analysed system is the nuclear steam power plant. For the steam cycle, the efficiency calculations were performed with the code DIAGAR, which is dedicated for analysing this type of systems....
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Direct modulation for conventional matrix converters using analytical signals and barycentric coordinates
PublicationThis paper proposes the generalized direct modulation for Conventional Matrix Converters (CMC) using the concept of analytical signals and barycentric coordinates. The paper proposes a novel approach to the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) duty cycle computing, which allows faster prototyping of direct control algorithms. The explanation of the new idea using analytical considerations demonstrating the principles of direct voltage...
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Design analysis of ORC micro-turbines making use of thermal energy of oceans
PublicationThe article presents the results of the analysis of energy conversion cycles making use of thermal energy of oceans. The objects of analysis were two cases of closed Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants, which were: the cycle in which the vapour of the working medium was produced by warm oceanic water in the circum-equatorial zone, and the so-called “arctic” cycle in which this vapour was produced by non-frozen water in the circumpolar...
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3D Hierarchical Boron-Doped Diamond-Multilayered Graphene Nanowalls as an Efficient Supercapacitor Electrode
PublicationSynthesis of stable hybrid carbon nanostructure for high-performance supercapacitor electrode with long life-cycle for electronic and energy storage devices is a real challenge. Here, we present a one-step synthesis method to produce conductive boron-doped hybrid carbon nanowalls (HCNWs), where sp2-bonded graphene has been integrated with and over a three-dimensional curved wall-like network of sp3-bonded diamond. The spectroscopic...
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ZnO coated fiber optic microsphere sensor for the enhanced refractive index sensing
PublicationOptical fiber-based sensors are expected to become key components in the control of industrial processes,and the tuning and the enhancement of their sensing properties are crucial for the further developmentof this technology. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), a vapor phase technique allowing for the deposition ofconformal thin films, is particularly suited for the deposition of controllable thin films on challenging sub-strates....
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Ordered TiO2 nanotubes: the effect of preparation parameters on the photocatalytic activity in air purification process
PublicationVertically ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays were synthesized by anodic oxidation of titanium foil in glycerol, ethylene glycol and water-based electrolytes. The effect of electrolyte composition, anodization voltage, ultrasonic treatment and calcination time on the morphology of the resulting thin films, as well as on their photocatalytic activity in toluene removal, used as a model volatile organic compound, was investigated. Toluene,...
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Comparison of different techniques for extracting Polychlorinated Biphenyls from bottom sediment samples using Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry
PublicationIn this work, problems that may occur during determination of trace levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment samples are described. The main error sources are connected with extraction of analytes prior to final determination. During model studies, polychlorinated biphenyls have been extracted from sediment reference material (METRANAL 2) with the use of different solvents (dichloromethane, hexane, and toluene); the process...
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The valance state of vanadium-key factor in the flexibility of potassium vanadates structure as cathode materials in Li-ion batteries
PublicationPotassium hexavanadate (K2V6O16·nH2O) nanobelts have been synthesized by the LPE-IonEx method, which is dedicated to synthesis of transition metal oxide bronzes with controlled morphology and structure. The electrochemical performance of K2V6O16·nH2O as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries has been evaluated. The KVO nanobelts demonstrated a high discharge capacity of 260 mAh g−1, and long-term cyclic stability up to 100...
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Investigating COVID-19 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) degradation using Peroxydisulfate/FeMnOx binary metal oxide/Ultrasound System
PublicationDegradation of Favipiravir using a hybrid system of peroxydisulfate, FeMnOx binary metal oxide, and ultrasound irradiation was studied. A novel catalyst was synthesized with deep eutectic solvent (DES). The effects of DES type on catalytic performance was evaluated and the catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, XPS, and EDS. DES-based catalysts exhibited higher efficiency due to structure change, surface area enhancement...
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Entangled rendezvous: a possible application of Bell non-locality for mobile agents on networks
PublicationRendezvous is an old problem of assuring that two or more parties, initially separated, not knowing the position of each other, and not allowed to communicate, are striving to meet without pre-agreement on the meeting point. This problem has been extensively studied in classical computer science and has vivid importance to modern and future applications. Quantum non-locality, like Bell inequality violation, has shown that in many...
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Self-assembly, stability and conductance of amphotericin B channels: bridging the gap between structure and function
PublicationAmphotericin B (AmB), one of the most powerful but also toxic drugs used to treat systemic mycoses, is believed to selectively permeabilize fungal cell membranes to ions in a sterol-dependent manner. Unfortunately, the structure of the biologically active AmB channels has long eluded researchers, obstructing the design of safer alternatives. Here, we investigate the structural and thermodynamic aspects of channel formation, stability,...
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Study of pH and temperature effect on lipophilicity of catechol-containing antioxidants by reversed phase liquid chromatography
PublicationLipophilicity of selected antioxidant phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and xanthonoids, was determined by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (RP-HPLC-UV). The analyses run at different temperature and pH conditions in isocratic mode suggested that lipophilicity as distribution coefficient (logD) between aqueous and organic phase decreases with increasing temperature. For...
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Improved Performance of 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate at Steel/HCl Interface by Iodide Ions
PublicationThe corrosion and corrosion inhibition of St37 steel in 0.1 M HCl solution by 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMITFB) and the effect of addition of KI on the inhibitive performance of EMITFB have been examined by electrochemical [electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS)] and surface examination [scanning electron microscope (SEM)...
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Pilot installation for thermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal using the rotary kiln pyrolyzer and the fluidised bed boiler
PublicationThe technology of thermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal (MBM) is still at the research state. However, there are already a number of existing pilot-scale installations that provide the complete, effective and environmentally safe process conducting. The universal technology was developed that allows to combust various types of waste, including animal waste, municipal waste and sludge, mixed at any ratio with different types...
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Changes of Conformation in Albumin with Temperature by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
PublicationThis work presents the analysis of the conformation of albumin in the temperature range of 300K – 312K, i.e., in the physiological range. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we calculate values of the backbone and dihedral angles for this molecule. We analyze the global dynamic properties of albumin treated as a chain. In this range of temperature, we study parameters of the molecule and the conformational entropy derived from...
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Density, sound velocity, viscosity, and refractive index of new morpholinium ionic liquids with amino acid-based anions: Effect of temperature, alkyl chain length, and anion
PublicationIn this work, room temperature synthesis of twenty new ionic liquids (ILs) based on the N-alkyl-N-methylmorpholinium ([Mor1,R], R = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8) cation and N-acetyl-L-amino acid anions (L-alaninate, L-valinate, L-leucinate, L-isoleucinate) was described. The synthesized ILs were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Furthermore, density (ρ), sound velocity (v), viscosity (η)...
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Synthesis and physical properties of the 10.6 K ferromagnet NdIr3
PublicationThe magnetic, transport, and thermodynamic properties of NdIr3 are reported. Its PuNi3-type crystal structure (space group R−3m), with lattice parameters a= 5.3262(1)Å and c=26.2218(3)Å, was confirmed by powder x-ray diffraction. Our measurements indicate that NdIr3 exhibits a previously unreported paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition below TC=10.6 K(determined by using the Arrott plot). The magnetic susceptibility obeys...
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In situ study of a composition of outlet gases from biogas fuelled Solid Oxide Fuel Cell performed by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
PublicationThe purpose of this study was to develop a method and software based on the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the in-situ, quantitative analysis of the composition of outlet gases from Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The calibration procedure performed at the beginning of the experiment indicated a polynomial dependence between the concentration of a calibrating gas (CO, CO2, CH4) and the corresponding integrated absorbance in...
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An energetic analysis of a gas turbine with regenerative heating using turbine extraction at intermediate pressure - Brayton cycle advanced according to Szewalski's idea
PublicationIn this paper, a modification of a simple gas turbine into the Brayton cycle with regenerative heating, using turbine extraction at intermediate pressure, is presented. The main concept of the retrofitting is based on the transfer of heat from the turbine exhaust gases to the air entering the combustion chamber. The extracted gas transfers heat to air via the divided regenerative heat exchanger and after that is compressed and...
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Surface active fatty acid ILs: Influence of the hydrophobic tail and/or theimidazolium hydroxyl functionalization on aggregates formation
PublicationNine structurally-related fatty acid ionic liquids have been prepared and their thermal behavior as well as their ability to self-assemble in water has been investigated. The thermal properties were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while the aggregation behavior was analyzed by tensiometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), conductometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS),...
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Solvation of ionic liquids based on N-methyl-N-alkyl morpholinium cations in dimethylsulfoxide – volumetric and compressibility studies
PublicationThe density and sound velocity of the solutions of ionic liquids based on N-alkyl-N-methyl-morpholinium cations, N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-butyl-N-methylmorpholinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-methyl-N-octyl-morpholinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and N-decyl-N-methylmorpholinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in dimethylsulfoxide were measured at T = (298.15 to 318.15)...