Search results for: EFFECTIVENESS
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Diamond protection for reusable ZnO coated fiber-optic measurement head in optoelectrochemical investigation of bisphenol A
PublicationDue to the global problem with plastic contaminating the environment, with bisphenol A (BPA) being one of the highest demand, effective monitoring and purification of the pollutants are required. The electrochemical methods constitute a good solution but, due to polymerization of electrochemical oxidation bisphenol A products and their adsorption to the surfaces, measurement head elements are clogged by the formed film. In this...
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Cold plasma treatment of tannic acid as a green technology for the fabrication of advanced cross-linkers for bioactive collagen/gelatin hydrogels
PublicationTannic acid (TA) is a natural compound studied as the cross-linker for biopolymers due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds. There are different methods to improve its reactivity and effectiveness to be used as a modifier for biopolymeric materials. This work employed plasma to modify tannic acid TA, which was then used as a cross-linker for fabricating collagen/gelatin scaffolds. Plasma treatment did not cause any significant...
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A Selection of Starting Points for Iterative Position Estimation Algorithms Using Feedforward Neural Networks
PublicationThis article proposes the use of a feedforward neural network (FNN) to select the starting point for the first iteration in well-known iterative location estimation algorithms, with the research objective of finding the minimum size of a neural network that allows iterative position estimation algorithms to converge in an example positioning network. The selected algorithms for iterative position estimation, the structure of the...
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Static and dynamic concrete calculations: Breakable aggregates in DEM model
PublicationThe paper deals with the calculations of a 3-point bending beam under static and dynamic loads. The real microstructure was obtained from laboratory tests using micro-tomography images. The quasi-static results were compared directly with experimental data at both macro and micro levels. Subsequently, higher strain rates were applied to investigate dynamic effects. The study focused on the influence of dynamic loading on the macroscopic...
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Improving methods for detecting people in video recordings using shifting time-windows
PublicationWe propose a novel method for improving algorithms which detect the presence of people in video sequences. Our focus is on algorithms for applications which require reporting and analyzing all scenes with detected people in long recordings. Therefore one of the target qualities of the classification result is its stability, understood as a low number of invalid scene boundaries. Many existing methods process images in the recording...
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Optimization of combined heat and power (CHP) market allocation: The case of Poland
PublicationCombined heat and power (CHP), that is production of electricity and useful heat in a single thermodynamic process, is a way of primary energy saving and emission reduction. Therefore, promotion of the electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration (CHP-E) was encouraged in the European Union. However, CHP-E promotion mechanisms proved low effectiveness in certain countries, like Poland, where the prices of certificates of origin...
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A Theoretical and Experimental Study of Moderate Temperature Alfa Type Stirling Engines
PublicationThe Stirling engine is a device that allows conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy with relatively high efficiency. Existing commercial designs are mainly based on the usage of high temperature heat sources, whose availability from renewable or waste heat sources is significantly lower than that of moderate temperature sources. The paper presents the results of experimental research on a prototype alpha type Stirling...
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LEAN MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. HOW TO BEGIN?
PublicationThe objective of this article is to present an outline of a concept aimed at identifying the possibilities of using Lean Management foundations in determining the sources of irregularities occurring in university processes from the perspective of various stakeholder groups. A research methodology is presented that creates the basis for initiating programmes modernising university processes in line with the principles of the LM...
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Implant system for treatment of the orbital floor defects of blowout fractures in the maxillofacial region using polypropylene yarn and bioactive bone cement
PublicationFractures in the craniofacial region are a serious problem in terms of treatment. The most reasonable solution is the use of individual implants dedicated to a specific patient. The aim of this study was to develop the implant system specifically for treatment of the orbital floor defects of blowout fractures of maxillofacial region, using polypropylene yarn and bone cement. Three types of bone cement were used to fix the polypropylene...
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Study on applicability of two modal identification techniques in irrelevant cases
PublicationStudy on applicability of two modal identification techniques in irrelevant cases is made in this paper. The following techniques are considered: Peak Picking based on correlation analysis (PP-CA), dedicated for ambient vibrations and Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA), formulated for free decay vibrations investigation. Irrelevant cases are found when analyzed signals are different than recommended to a given technique. The...
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Identification of the Agile Mindset and Its Comparison to the Competencies of Selected Agile Roles
PublicationIn this paper we present the results of the identification and evalua-tion of the elements of an agile mindset as well as its comparison to the compe-tence models for the roles of Scrum Master, Product Owner and agile analyst. We have identified 70 unique agile mindset elements from literature and 5 in-terviews with experts. Based on an opinion survey among 52 agile practitioners we evaluated the importance of 26 selected elements...
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Ultrafast degradation of brilliant cresyl blue under hydrodynamic cavitation based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
PublicationThe study highlights effectiveness of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) in the degradation of effluents polluted by Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) dye. Optimal process parameters were cavitation number 0.27, inlet pressure 1.70 bar, temperature 20 °C and pH 7. The efficiency of HC was investigated in combination with other advanced oxidation processes, including the addition of external oxidants (hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and sodium persulfate)...
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Novel Fault Identification for Electromechanical Systems via Spectral Technique and Electrical Data Processing
PublicationIt is proposed, developed, investigated, and validated by experiments and modelling for the first time in worldwide terms new data processing technologies, higher order spectral multiple correlation technologies for fault identification for electromechanical systems via electrical data processing. Investigation of the higher order spectral triple correlation technology via modelling has shown that the proposed data processing technology...
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Evolutionary Planning of Safe Ship Tracks in Restricted Visibility
PublicationThe paper presents the continuation of the author's research on ship track planning by means of Evolutionary Algorithms (EA). The presented method uses EA to search for an optimal set of safe tracks for all ships involved in an encounter. Until now the method assumed good visibility – compliance with standard rules of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS, 1972). However, in restricted...
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FRP-based reinforcement coatings of steel with application prospects in ships and offshore structures: a review
PublicationLatest research on novel FRP-based anti-corrosion structural coatings (for enhancing structural capacity and strengthening the coating layer) is discussed with application prospects for ships and offshore structures. In the marine environment, structures constantly face corrosion and fatigue cracks. Combining this with high operational and wave loads, it might cause a structural collapse. Recently, polymer composites have been...
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Optimizing Construction Engineering Management Using Metaheuristic Methods and Bayesian Networks
PublicationThe construction of buildings invariably involves time and costs, and disruptions impact ongoing construction projects. Crisis situations in management strategies, structural confusion, and finan-cial miscalculations often arise due to misguided decision-making. This article proposes a method that combines the learning of Bayesian Networks and heuristic techniques to optimize deci-sion-making processes in construction scheduling....
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Exploring Neural Networks for Musical Instrument Identification in Polyphonic Audio
PublicationThe purpose of this paper is to introduce neural network-based methods that surpass state-of-the-art (SOTA) models, either by training faster or having simpler architecture, while maintaining comparable effectiveness in musical instrument identification in polyphonic music. Several approaches are presented, including two authors’ proposals, i.e., spiking neural networks (SNN) and a modular deep learning model named FMCNN (Fully...
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Quantitative Analysis of Biofilm Formed on Vascular Prostheses by Staphylococcus Epidermidis with Different ica and aap Genetic Status
PublicationOBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine biofilm formed on vascular prostheses by Staphylococcus epidermidis with different ica and aap genetic status, and to evaluate the effect of antibiotic-modified prostheses on bacterial colonization. METHODS: Biofilm formation was determined using fluorescence microscopy imaging. Quantitative analysis was conducted using the biofilm coverage ratio (BCR) calculations. RESULTS: Our investigations...
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OCENA KLIMATU PRACY W ZESPOLE WIELOKULTUROWYM
PublicationArtykuł dotyczy tematyki zespołów wielokulturowych, które ze względu na specyfikę globalnego rynku odgrywają coraz ważniejszą rolę we współczesnych organizacjach. Skoncentrowano się na kształtowaniu klimatu pracy zespołowej, który pozwala wykorzystać potencjał zespołu zróżnicowanego kulturowo, podkreślając potencjalne utrudnienia i ich źródła. Zaprezentowano wyniki badań kwestionariuszowych, których celem było sprawdzenie, na ile...
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Badania wstępne możliwości oceny stanu powierzchni tocznej szyn za pomocą zjawisk wibroakustycznych
PublicationW artykule przedstawiono wstępną koncepcję możliwości wykorzystania zjawisk wibroa-kustycznych w celu oceny stanu powierzchni tocznych szyn. Scharakteryzowano metodykę, zakres badań oraz wybór punktów lokalizacyjnych. Badania wstępne obejmowały pomiary drgań i hałasu na referencyjnym odcinku toru oraz na odcinku toru z wadą squat. Pomiary przeprowadzono na dwóch liniach kolejowych nr 213 Reda – Hel oraz 131 Chorzów Batory – Tczew....
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Międzysektorowa mobilność zatrudnienia oraz płac a efektywność rynku pracy.
PublicationCelem artykułu jest uzyskanie odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy ocenę efektywności funkcjonowania rynków pracy, rozumianej jako zdolność rynków do „oczyszczania się”, można przedstawić za pomocą analizy międzysektorowej mobilności płac oraz zatrudnienia. W połowie lat 90. XX wieku Paul Krugman dowodził, iż negatywne szoki gospodarcze skutkują w krajach europejskich wzrostem bezrobocia, natomiast w USA wzrostem rozpiętości płac. Tymczasem...
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Linear viscoelastic modelling of damage-involved structural pounding during earthquakes
PublicationDamage-involved structural pounding during earthquakes has been recently intensively studied using different impact force models. The results of the previous studies indicate that the linear viscoelastic model is relatively simple yet accurate in modelling pounding-involved behaviour of structures during earthquakes. The only shortcoming of the model is a negative value of the pounding force occurring just before separation, which...
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Assessment of metal removal in a surface flow constructed wetland treating landfill leachate
PublicationThe study concerns heavy metal retention and transformation processes in a free water surface constructed wetland treating landfill leachate in a temperate climate. The total effectiveness of heavy metals removal in the analyzed CW was evaluated basing on heavy metals inflow and outflow concentrations. The concentrations of eight heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd) in landfill leachate (LL) and sediments were measured....
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Pounding mitigation of a short-span cable-stayed bridge using a new hybrid passive control system
PublicationThis paper investigates the effectiveness of a new hybrid passive control system on the seismic response of an existing steel cable-stayed bridge considering the pounding effect. The proposed hybrid passive control system comprises a seismic isolator and a metallic damper. The bridge is located in a high seismic zone and has suffered several damages including the earthquake-induced pounding damage during the 1988 earthquake....
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Indirect adaptive controller based on a self-structuring fuzzy system for nonlinear modeling and control
PublicationIn this paper, a unified nonlinear modeling and control scheme is presented. A self-structuring Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzymodel is used to approximate the unknown nonlinear plant based on I/O data collected on-line. Both the structure and theparameters of the T-S fuzzy model are updated by an on-line clustering method and a recursive least squares estimation(RLSE) algorithm. The rules of the fuzzy model can be added, replaced or...
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Model tests of cast-in-place piles formed by using different types of auger
PublicationModel tests are still a popular research tool used to observe and determine the mechanisms of pile-soil interaction. Due to the significant scale effect, the results of model tests performed in the 1g system can only be analysed from the qualitative side. This article describes and presents the results of 1g pile model tests carried out for comparative purposes. There were tested the effectiveness and efficiency of various types...
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Comparison of the Efficiency of Hetero- and Homogeneous Catalysts in Cellulose Liquefaction
PublicationBiomass liquefaction is a well-known and extensively described process. Hydrothermal processes are well understood and can be used in the fuel industry. The use of organic solvents can result in full-fledged products for use in the synthesis of polyurethanes. The plastics industry, including polyurethanes, is targeting new, more environmentally friendly solutions. One of these is the replacement of petrochemical polyols with compounds...
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Global Complex Roots and Poles Finding Algorithm in C × R Domain
PublicationAn algorithm to find the roots and poles of a complex function depending on two arguments (one complex and one real) is proposed. Such problems are common in many fields of science for instance in electromagnetism, acoustics, stability analyses, spectroscopy, optics, and elementary particle physics. The proposed technique belongs to the class of global algorithms, gives a full picture of solutions in a fixed region ⊂ C × R and...
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Reduction of vibrations of steel structure models with Polymeric Bearings - experimental study
PublicationEarthquake-induced ground motions are the most severe and unpredictable threats to the structures all around the world. Therefore, designing earthquake protective systems has become an extremely challenging problem in civil engineering. Base isolation is one of the most popular and widely adopted methods of protecting structures against earthquake forces. The present paper reports the results obtained from the shaking table experimental...
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Analysis of efficiency of phosphates sorption by different granulation of selected reactive material
PublicationIn the light of the need to find an effective way to remove phosphorus from wastewater, studies on the suitability of sorption materials in this process should be conducted. The aim of the study was to examine the potential benefits of using selected adsorbents to reduce orthophosphates from the model solution under steady conditions. The study was conducted on a laboratory scale using synthetic wastewater with concentration of...
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Reduction of road traffic noise by source measures — present and future strategies
PublicationThe current trend worldwide is less focused on reducing road traffic noise. This is in strong contrast to the severe impact of traffic noise to the general health and quality of life. A more holistic and combined strategy is needed. Current international rules and regulations regarding vehicles and tyres are not sufficient to reduce traffic noise levels in an effective way. Calculations show that these regulations will only yield...
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Wave Method for Structural Health Monitoring: Testing Using Full-Scale Shake Table Experiment Data
PublicationAn algorithm of the wave method for structural health monitoring (SHM) is tested and calibrated using shake table experiment data of a full-scale, seven-story, reinforced-concrete building slice. The method is based on monitoring changes in the velocity of waves propagating vertically through the structure, identified by least-squares (LSQ) fit of beam models. The experiment was conducted by a team from the University of California,...
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Alternative Methods of Preparation of Soluble Keratin from Chicken Feathers
PublicationHuge amount of keratinous waste, especially birds’ feathers, demands more value-added application instead of dumping. The present work reports the results of experiments aimed at preparing soluble keratin useful for novel bioproduct formation. The effect of thermo-chemical treatments with various reducing agents, i.e. 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, sodium m-bisulphite, and sodium bisulphite, as well as sodium hydroxide, on...
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Spectral Clustering Wikipedia Keyword-Based search Results
PublicationThe paper summarizes our research in the area of unsupervised categorization of Wikipedia articles. As a practical result of our research, we present an application of spectral clustering algorithm used for grouping Wikipedia search results. The main contribution of the paper is a representation method for Wikipedia articles that has been based on combination of words and links and used for categoriation of search results in this...
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DEPTH IMAGES FILTERING IN DISTRIBUTED STREAMING
PublicationIn this paper we discuss the comparison of point cloud filters focusing on their applicability for streaming optimization. For the filtering stage within a stream pipeline processing we evaluate three filters: Voxel Grid, Pass Through and Statistical Outlier Removal. For the filters we perform series of the tests aiming at evaluation of changes of point cloud size and transmitting frequency (various fps ratio). We propose a distributed...
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Applicability of Emotion Recognition and Induction Methods to Study the Behavior of Programmers
PublicationRecent studies in the field of software engineering have shown that positive emotions can increase and negative emotions decrease the productivity of programmers. In the field of affective computing, many methods and tools to recognize the emotions of computer users were proposed. However, it has not been verified yet which of them can be used to monitor the emotional states of software developers. The paper describes a study carried...
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Antibacterial evaluation of bioactive modifiers of bone cements: antibiotics, nanometals and chitosan
PublicationModern biomaterials in addition to their basic tasks, can serve as carriers of active substance. The release of a bioactive particles allows to locally fight infection or its prevent it. Bone cements additionally to their basic applications in orthopedic surgery can also serve to deliver locally active substances. Currently, only antibiotics are routinely used as modifiers for bone cements. Bioactive bone cements constitute...
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Distribution and removal efficiency of heavy metals in two constructed wetlands treating landfill leachate
PublicationThe results of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd) removal and partitioning between aqueous and solid phases at two wetlands (TWs) treating municipal landfill leachates are presented. One of the TWs is a surface flow facility consisting of 10 ponds. The other TW is a newly constructed pilot-scale facility consisting of three beds with alternately vertical and horizontal sub-surface flow. The metals concentrations were...
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Raman Spectra Measurements for Chemical Identifications - Aspect of Uncertainty Sources and Reduction of Their Effects
PublicationRaman spectrometers enable fast and non-contact identification of examined chemicals. These devices measure Raman spectra and compare with the spectra database to identify unknown and often illicit chemicals (e.g. drugs, explosives) usually without any sample preparation. Raman spectra measurements are a challenge due to noise and interferences present outside the laboratories (field applications). The design of a portable Raman...
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Clean energy in the European Union: Transition or evolution?
PublicationIn this paper, we analyse two phenomena. First, the relationship between greenhouse gases emission and effectiveness of the European Union energy policies and second the transition from the fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. We run two-step data analysis concerning 25 European Union member states in the period from 1990 to 2018. We use information on greenhouse gases emission, introduction of new energy policies, source...
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Tensor Decomposition for Imagined Speech Discrimination in EEG
PublicationMost of the researches in Electroencephalogram(EEG)-based Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are focused on the use of motor imagery. As an attempt to improve the control of these interfaces, the use of language instead of movement has been recently explored, in the form of imagined speech. This work aims for the discrimination of imagined words in electroencephalogram signals. For this purpose, the analysis of multiple variables...
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VOCs absorption from gas streams using deep eutectic solvents – A review
PublicationVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the most severe atmospheric pollutants. They are mainly emitted into the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources such as automobile exhaust, incomplete fuel combustion, and various industrial processes. VOCs not only cause hazards to human health or the environment but also adversely affect industrial installation components due to their specific properties, i.e., corrosive and reactivity....
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A Model-Order Reduction Approach for Electromagnetic Problems With Nonaffine Frequency Dependence
PublicationThe aim of this paper is to present a novel model-order reduction (MOR) technique for the efcient frequency-domain nite-element method (FEM) simulation of microwave components. It is based on the standard reduced-basis method, but the subsequent expansion frequency points are selected following the so-called sparsied greedy strategy. This feature makes it especially useful to perform a fast-frequency sweep of problems that lead...
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A Assessment of Management Efficiency in Local Administrative Offices: Case Study Poland
PublicationThe analysis of management efficiency is an important element in evaluating the functioning of public administration from an economic point of view. In order to achieve greater efficiency of the management process, and thus the quality in public administration, it is important to analyze and evaluate its elements. Modern research usually covers individual elements, parts of the management process. However, the current study proposes...
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Application of deep eutectic solvents for separation and determination of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants
PublicationThe medicinal plants industry, particularly in regard to products rich in biologically active substances for maintaining health, has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, with sales of over-the-counter drugs containing these substances growing by billions of dollars. Attention has thus also been paid to the safety and effectiveness of these medicines. We are currently witnessing a rapid increase in the number of publications...
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Light intensity analysis of photovoltaic parameters for perovskite solar cells
PublicationThe number of publications on perovskite solar cells (PSC) continues to grow exponentially. Although the efficiency of PSC is exceeded 25.5%, not every research laboratory can reproduce this result or even pass the border of 20%. Unfortunately, it is not always clear which dominating mechanism is responsible for the performance drop. Here, we develop a simple method of light intensity analysis of JV parameters allowing the understanding...
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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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An intelligent cellular automaton scheme for modelling forest fires
PublicationForest fires have devastating consequences for the environment, the economy and human lives. Understanding their dynamics is therefore crucial for planning the resources allocated to combat them effectively. In a world where the incidence of such phenomena is increasing every year, the demand for efficient and accurate computational models is becoming increasingly necessary. In this study, we perform a revision of an initial proposal...
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An electrochemical biosensor for the determination of hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in human serum
PublicationThis work describes the modification of a gold electrode to create an electrochemical biosensor capable of detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The biosensor was obtained by modifying the gold electrode with cysteamine and oligopeptide (PPLRINRHILTR). The modification steps of the gold electrode were confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance electrochemical spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The conducted EIS experiments...
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Integrated Photocatalytic Advanced Oxidation System (TiO2/UV/O3/H2O2) for Degradation of Volatile Organic Compounds
PublicationSeveral advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) including photocatalytic processes were studied for effective treatment of complex model wastewater containing a wide variety of VOCs. The studies revealed synergistic effects of TiO2 based processes for improved degradation of the VOCs. A peroxone combined with TiO2/UV system (TiO2/UV/O3/H2O2) with a ratio between the oxygen source from the oxidant to chemical oxygen demand (COD) of...