Search results for: DEGRADATION EFFICACY
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Frequency-Based Regularization for Improved Reliability Optimization of Antenna Structures
PublicationThe paper proposes a modified formulation of antenna parameter tuning problem. The main ingredient of the presented approach is a frequency-based regularization. It allows for smoothening the functional landscape of the assumed cost function, defined to encode the prescribed design specifications. The regularization is implemented as a special penalty term complementing the primary objective and enforcing the alignment of the antenna...
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Mitochondrial DNA copy number and trimethylamine levels in the blood: New insights on cardiovascular disease biomarkers
PublicationAmong cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers, the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is a promising candidate. A growing attention has been also dedicated to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), an oxidative derivative of the gut metabolite trimethylamine (TMA). With the aim to identify biomarkers predictive of CVD, we investigated TMA, TMAO, and mtDNAcn in a population of 389 coronary artery disease...
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Photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus using protoporphyrin IX: the role of haem-regulated transporter HrtA
PublicationLight- and photosensitiser-based antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is a very promising approach to the control of microbial infections. How the phenotypic features of a microorganism affect its response to photosensitiser-based photokilling represents an area of substantial research interest. To understand the mechanisms governing the phenomenon of a strain-dependent response to photodynamic inactivation (PDI), we analysed the...
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LC-MS and LC-NMR as Complementary Techniques for the Determination of Pharmaceuticals in Dosage Formulations
PublicationPharmaceuticals contain not only pharmacologically active compounds but also a range of excipients. The danger exists that impurities may also be present in such drugs, which may adversely affect their efficacy and even endanger patient health and life. Monitoring the composition of pharmaceutical products is therefore essential. The trace amounts of such impurities in pharmaceuticals are often identified and determined with liquid...
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Treatment of Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis with the Use of Growth Factors in Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin for Immediate Closure of Oro-Antral Communication: A Case Report
PublicationChronic odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (COMS), a prolonged inflammation of the maxillary sinus lasting over 12 weeks, is often a result of periapical lesions, marginal periodontitis, and complications like oro-antral communication (OAC) and fistula (OAF). OAC, commonly emerging post-teeth extraction in the lateral maxilla, lacks documented treatments using advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF). This study evaluates A-PRF’s efficacy...
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Genetic and pharmacologic proteasome augmentation ameliorates Alzheimer’s-like pathology in mouse and fly APP overexpression models
PublicationThe proteasome has key roles in neuronal proteostasis, including the removal of misfolded and oxidized proteins, presynaptic protein turnover, and synaptic efficacy and plasticity. Proteasome dysfunction is a prominent feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We show that prevention of proteasome dysfunction by genetic manipulation delays mortality, cell death, and cognitive deficits in fly and cell culture AD models. We developed...
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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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Dietary intervention with beetroot juice during doxorubicin cancer chemotherapy in vivo reduces markers of oxidative stress
PublicationCancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin, despite high antitumor activity and broad spectrum of this drug, is on decline due to toxic side effects. The clinical efficacy of anthracyclines have continuously prompted the search for new adjuvants to alleviate undesirable side toxicity incurred by this group of cytostatics. The recent approaches involve the application of synthetic or purified natural antioxidants in combination with doxorubicin...
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Model-Free Controller Tuning Based on DFT Processing: Application to Induction Motor Drives
PublicationIn this paper, we present a new approach based on discrete Fourier transform (DFT) analysis for controller tuning of the closed-loop system with unknown plant. The DFT analysis is used to process the closed-loop measurements collected online to derive the frequency response of an initial closed-loop system that does not provide a good performance. Based on the closed-loop frequency response data, we propose two methods for tuning PID...
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Impact of spraying commercial Bentonite Nanoclay on fortification of the mortar as Nano Sprying Technique (NST) in heritages and historical buildings
PublicationSpraying Bentonite NanoClay as an innovative idea satisfied an urgent need for conservation of historical brick constructions. This research explores the application of Nanotechnology as a Nano-Geotechnics (NaG) and Nano Ground Improvement (NGI) techniques for fortifying the mortar between bricks in historical buildings against some environmental erosive factors. Bentonite Nanoparticles were selected because of their compatibility...
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An image processing approach for fatigue crack identification in cellulose acetate replicas
PublicationThe cellulose acetate replication technique is an important method for studying material fatigue. However, extracting accurate information from pictures of cellulose replicas poses challenges because of distortions and numerous artifacts. This paper presents an image processing procedure for effective fatigue crack identification in plastic replicas. The approach employs thresholding, adaptive Gaussian thresholding, and Otsu binarization...
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Genetic and pharmacologic proteasome augmentation ameliorates Alzheimer’s-like pathology in mouse and fly APP overexpression models
PublicationThe proteasome has key roles in neuronal proteostasis, including the removal of misfolded and oxidized proteins, presynaptic protein turnover, and synaptic efficacy and plasticity. Proteasome dysfunction is a prominent feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We show that prevention of proteasome dysfunction by genetic manipulation delays mortality, cell death, and cognitive deficits in fly and cell culture AD models. We developed...
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On topology optimization of large deformation contact-aided shape morphing compliant mechanisms
PublicationA topology optimization approach for designing large deformation contact-aided shape morphing compliant mechanisms is presented. Such mechanisms can be used in varying operating conditions. Design domains are described by regular hexagonal elements. Negative circular masks are employed to perform dual task, i.e., to decide material states of each element and also, to generate rigid contact surfaces. Each mask is characterized by...
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Planning optimised multi-tasking operations under the capability for parallel machining
PublicationThe advent of advanced multi-tasking machines (MTMs) in the metalworking industry has provided the opportunity for more efficient parallel machining as compared to traditional sequential processing. It entailed the need for developing appropriate reasoning schemes for efficient process planning to take advantage of machining capabilities inherent in these machines. This paper addresses an adequate methodical approach for a non-linear...
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A Pilot Study on Machining Difficult-to-Cut Materials with the Use of Tools Fabricated by SLS Technology
PublicationThe growing use of contemporary materials in various industrial sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, as well as the oil and gas industry, requires appropriate machining methods and tools. Currently, apart from the necessity to obtain high-dimensional and shape accuracy, the efficiency and economic aspects of the selected manufacturing process are equally important, especially when difficult-to-cut materials, such as hard and...
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Antibacterial Porous Systems Based on Polylactide Loaded with Amikacin
PublicationThree porous matrices based on poly(lactic acid) are proposed herein for the controlled release of amikacin. The materials were fabricated by the method of spraying a surface liquid. Description is given as to the possibility of employing a modifier, such as a silica nanocarrier, for prolonging the release of amikacin, in addition to using chitosan to improve the properties of the materials, e.g., stability and sorption capacity....
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Cyclic Behavior of Masonry Shear Walls Retrofitted with Engineered Cementitious Composite and Pseudoelastic Shape Memory Alloy
PublicationThe behavior of masonry shear walls reinforced with pseudoelastic Ni–Ti shape memory alloy (SMA) strips and engineered cementitious composite (ECC) sheets is the main focus of this paper. The walls were subjected to quasi-static cyclic in-plane loads and evaluated by using Abaqus. Eight cases of strengthening of masonry walls were investigated. Three masonry walls were strengthened with different thicknesses of ECC sheets using...
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Selective Cytostatic and Cytotoxic Anticancer Effects of Bisfunctional Agents: A Strategy for the Design of DNA Binding Agents
PublicationVarious agents have been synthesized and proved useful for the National Cancer Institute's anticancer testing as potential new drugs, but most agents suffer side effects from their limited selectivity against cancer cells over healthy ones. Therefore, this paper attempts to describe drugs in terms of the level of tumor cell selectivity which they possess to define the features of mols. that are essential for useful cytotoxicity....
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Potential of Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Renewable Energy: Challenges and Prospects
PublicationModern machine learning (ML) techniques are making inroads in every aspect of renewable energy for optimizationand model prediction. The effective utilization of ML techniques for the development and scaling up of renewable energy systemsneeds a high degree of accountability. However, most of the ML approaches currently in use are termed black box since their work isdifficult to comprehend. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI)...
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A review on hydrophobic electrospun nanofibers-based materials and membranes for water treatment: Challenges, outlook, and stability
PublicationMembrane technology is well recognized as a dependable means of supplementing the availability of potable water through processes such as water purification and desalination. Electrospun nanofiber membranes have garnered significant attention because of their advantageous features, including a greater specific surface area, increased porosity, reduced thickness, and popularity. Consequently, ENMs have emerged as an up-and-coming...
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Bimodal deep learning model for subjectively enhanced emotion classification in films
PublicationThis research delves into the concept of color grading in film, focusing on how color influences the emotional response of the audience. The study commenced by recalling state-of-the-art works that process audio-video signals and associated emotions by machine learning. Then, assumptions of subjective tests for refining and validating an emotion model for assigning specific emotional labels to selected film excerpts were presented....
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CFD COUPLING OF VOF MODEL WITH ARRHENIUS EQUATION FOR ANALYSIS OF LASER-INDUCED THERMAL DEACTIVATION OF E. COLI
PublicationUnderstanding bacterial deactivation at the micro-scale, particularly with E. coli, is crucial for advancing microbiology and has promising applications in biomedical research. In this research contribution, we investigate the thermal inactivation of E. coli bacteria using gold nanoparticles irradiated by a green 1-W laser within a microfluidic chamber. The microfluidic device comprises a fluidic chamber filled with a thin film...
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Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Coatings for Stents in Veterinary Medicine—State of the Art and Perspectives
PublicationMicrobial colonization in veterinary stents poses a significant and concerning issue in veterinary medicine. Over time, these pathogens, particularly bacteria, can colonize the stent surfaces, leading to various complications. Two weeks following the stent insertion procedure, the colonization becomes observable, with the aggressiveness of bacterial growth directly correlating with the duration of stent placement. Such microbial...
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Machine learning approach to packaging compatibility testing in the new product development process
PublicationThe paper compares the effectiveness of selected machine learning methods as modelling tools supporting the selection of a packaging type in new product development process. The main goal of the developed model is to reduce the risk of failure in compatibility tests which are preformed to ensure safety, durability, and efficacy of the finished product for the entire period of its shelf life and consumer use. This kind of testing...
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Integration of a Multilevel Transport System Model into Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning
PublicationWhen planning their transport policy, cities usually focus on developing sustainable transport systems and reducing the negative consequences of transport. One way to deliver transport policies is to use the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), a strategic document designed to meet the demand for mobility whilst ensuring adequate quality of life for the residents. The process of Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP process)...
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Chromatographic analyses of Lavandula angustifolia and Rosmarinus officinalis extracts and their biological effects in mammalian cells and cell-free systems
PublicationKnowledge of biological properties of natural compounds allows to understand their therapeutic value, efficacy and security. We investigated: composition of Lavandula angustifolia (LA) and Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) extracts, their antioxidant capacity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, their DNA-protective potential against DNA damage induced in hamster V79 cells by several genotoxins or in plasmid DNA by Fe2+ ions and activity...
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Energy-Efficient Self-Supervised Technique to Identify Abnormal User Over 5G Network for E-Commerce
PublicationWithin the realm of e-commerce networks, it is frequently observed that certain users exhibit behavior patterns that differ substantially from the normative behaviors exhibited by the majority of users. The identification of these atypical individuals and the understanding of their behavioral patterns are of significant practical significance in maintaining order on e-commerce platforms. One such method for accomplishing this...
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Polyether-block-amide PEBA membranes for gas separation and pervaporation; current design and applications
PublicationPolyether-block-amide (PEBA) membranes have attracted considerable attention for their exceptional efficacy in gas separation and pervaporation processes. This comprehensive review delves into the precise definition, distinguishing characteristics, and diverse applications of PEBA membranes over the past five years. A primary research objective focuses on enhancing gas separation efficiency, primarily through augmenting membrane...
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Palindromic carbazole derivatives: unveiling their antiproliferative effect via topoisomerase II catalytic inhibition and apoptosis induction
PublicationHuman DNA topoisomerases are essential for crucial cellular processes, including DNA replication, transcription, chromatin condensation, and maintenance of its structure. One of the significant strategies employed in cancer treatment involves the inhibition of a specific type of topoisomerase, known as topoisomerase II (Topo II). Carbazole derivatives, recognised for their varied biological activities, have recently become a significant...
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Enhancing Business Process Management Through Nature Assessment: Development and Deployment of the Business Process Nature Assessment Tool
PublicationIn contemporary business landscapes, the diverse nature of processes necessitates a thor-ough assessment before implementing Business Process Management (BPM). However, conducting such assessments can be arduous, particularly for small and medium-sized en-terprises. This study aims to address this challenge by developing and showcasing the utility of an online tool based on the Business Process Nature Assessment Framework (BPNAF)....
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Gold(III) complexes with chloride and cyanopyridines: Facilitated hydrolysis of nitrile ligand to amide and antibacterial activity
PublicationA range of novel simple gold(III) compounds has been synthesized in their monocrystalline form, including two previously unknown chloro-complexes of Au3+ with 2-cyanopyridine or 3-cyanopyridine, respectively. Our investigations have revealed the intricate nature of the reaction between 2-cyanopyridine and tetrachloroauric acid, yielding at least three distinct products. The main product, obtained in high yield, is a salt featuring...
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Energy-Efficient Self-Supervised Technique to Identify Abnormal User Over 5G Network for E-Commerce
PublicationWithin the realm of e-commerce networks, it is frequently observed that certain users exhibit behavior patterns that differ substantially from the normative behaviors exhibited by the majority of users. The identification of these atypical individuals and the understanding of their behavioral patterns are of significant practical significance in maintaining order on e-commerce platforms. One such method for accomplishing this objective...
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From creative writing, virtual environments to nature-based solutions: linking research and education to facilitate transition from sustainable to regenerative cities
PublicationChallenges related to the climate crisis and its consequences, such as rising sea levels, urban heat islands or floods, engender pressure on architectural education. Sustainable design often inclines to regenerative one - an emerging trend focused on the restorative power of architecture. The question appears upon the tools and methods that would facilitate both students and academics to address new challenges. This article offers...
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Using Isolation Forest and Alternative Data Products to Overcome Ground Truth Data Scarcity for Improved Deep Learning-based Agricultural Land Use Classification Models
PublicationHigh-quality labelled datasets represent a cornerstone in the development of deep learning models for land use classification. The high cost of data collection, the inherent errors introduced during data mapping efforts, the lack of local knowledge, and the spatial variability of the data hinder the development of accurate and spatially-transferable deep learning models in the context of agriculture. In this paper, we investigate...
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Process layout planning and optimised product range selection in manufacture of wooden construction sets
PublicationThis paper introduces a systematic deterministic framework for planning and the analysis of facility layouts aimed at manufacturing a variety of parts, as components of specific end products. The essence of the proposed approach lies in the decomposition of a traditional job-shop into layout modules of generic material flow patterns, that inherently yields improved efficiency of the entire system. It entails the use of a relevant...
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Numerical investigation on distribution characteristics of oxidation air in a lime slurry desulfurization system with rotary jet agitators
PublicationRotary jet agitator is an effective device for mixing, dispersing, dissolving, and suspending dispersed phases in liquid, and is particularly advantageous to the homogenization of oxygen-enriched air within the lime slurry desulfurization system. The distribution of oxygen-enriched air in agitators is vital for the process of gypsum crystallization and the homogeneous and sufficient oxygen-enriched air can promote the formation...
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An Innovative Antenna Array with High Inter Element Isolation for Sub-6 GHz 5G MIMO Communication Systems
PublicationA novel technique is shown to improve the isolation between radiators in antenna arrays. The proposed technique suppresses the surface-wave propagation and reduces substrate loss thereby enhancing the overall performance of the array. This is achieved without affecting the antenna’s footprint. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a four-element array for 5G MIMO applications. Each radiating element in the array is constituted...
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A comprehensive survey on low-cost ECG acquisition systems: Advances on design specifications, challenges and future direction
PublicationAvailability of low-cost, reliable, and portable Electrocardiography (ECG) devices is still very important in the medical world today. Despite the tremendous technological advancement, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) remain a serious health burden claiming millions of lives on an annual basis globally. This is more prevalent in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) where there are huge financial instability and lack of critical...
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Design specification management with automated decision-making for reliable optimization of miniaturized microwave components
PublicationThe employment of numerical optimization techniques for parameter tuning of microwave components has nowadays become a commonplace. In pursuit of reliability, it is most often carried out at the level of full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulation models, incurring considerable computational expenses. In the case of miniaturized microstrip circuits, densely arranged layouts with strong cross-coupling effects make EM-driven tuning...
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Globalized parametric optimization of microwave components by means of response features and inverse metamodels
PublicationSimulation-based optimization of geometry parameters is an inherent and important stage of microwave design process. To ensure reliability, the optimization process is normally carried out using full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools, which entails significant computational overhead. This becomes a serious bottleneck especially if global search is required (e.g., design of miniaturized structures, dimension scaling over...
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Immunological response of sheep to injections of plasmids encoding Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 and ROP1 genes
PublicationInfection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxo¬plasma gondii (T. gondii) causes health problems to both humans and livestock and has a large economic impact worldwide. The immune response in sheep following infection with T. gondii was evaluated using six different combinations of plasmid DNA, recombinant antigen and adjuvant. Sheep were generally vaccinated twice by intramuscular injection with plasmid DNA containing...
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An optimized system for sensor ontology meta-matching using swarm intelligent algorithm
PublicationIt is beneficial to annotate sensor data with distinct sensor ontologies in order to facilitate interoperability among different sensor systems. However, for this interoperability to be possible, comparable sensor ontologies are required since it is essential to make meaningful links between relevant sensor data. Swarm Intelligent Algorithms (SIAs), namely the Beetle Swarm Optimisation Algorithm (BSO), present a possible answer...
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Multi-functional monodispersed SiO2-TiO2 core-shell nanostructure and TEOS in the consolidation of archaeological lime mortars surfaces
PublicationArchaeological traditional lime mortars are susceptible to many environmental conditions such as the impact of water (rain, humidity, groundwater, etc.), variation of temperatures' degrees, wind and/or pollution. Accordingly, this research aims to provide newly assessed multifunctional Nano-coating for the purpose of archaeological lime mortar protection. For this, the study combined physicochemical and mechanical characterizations...
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Field Calibration of Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors Using Artificial Neural Networks and Affine Response Correction
PublicationDue to detrimental effects of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), its accurate monitoring is of paramount importance, especially in densely populated urban areas. However, precise measurement of PM levels requires expensive and sophisticated equipment. Although low-cost alternatives are gaining popularity, their reliability is questionable, attributed to sensitivity to environmental conditions, inherent instability, and manufacturing...
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Green and sustainable hydrogels based on quaternized chitosan to enhance wound healing
PublicationHydrogel-based biomaterials applied as wound dressings provide the wound with a moist environment, which facilitates tissue regeneration through granulation and re-epithelialization. The inherent flexibility and adjustable architecture of hydrogels enables incorporation of cells, antimicrobial drugs, growth factors, and bioactive compounds, which leads to expediting wound contraction and enhancing the regeneration process. The...
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What Skills for Multi-Partner Open Innovation Projects? Open Innovation Competence Profile in a Cluster Ecosystem Context
PublicationIndustry 4.0 and the turbulent environment have rendered increasing interest in open inno- vation that extends from the bilateral transmission of expertise to multilateral platform collaborations. Open innovation ventures are seen as intricate collaborations that require the commitment of numer- ous partners during the lifetime of the project. In order to examine the specific competence of open innovation teams, we set the research...
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Robust Parameter Tuning of Antenna Structures by Means of Design Specification Adaptation
PublicationParameter tuning through numerical optimization has become instrumental in the design of high-performance antenna systems. Yet, practical optimization faces several major challenges, including high cost of massive evaluations of antenna characteristics, normally involving full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis, large numbers of adjustable variables, the shortage of reasonable initial solutions in the case of topologically complex...
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Enhanced interfacial and mechanical performance of styrene-butadiene rubber/silica composites compatibilized by soybean oil derived silanized plasticization
PublicationSilanized plasticizer (SP) was chemically derived and synthesized from soybean oil (SBO) co-vulcanized with bis-(3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) by using the sulfur-accelerated curing system. SP extended styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites have been studied for their improved filler dispersion through coupling interaction at the SBR/silica interface. The effect of SP on cross-link density, thermal,...
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Anticancer Imidazoacridinone C-1311 is Effective in Androgen-Dependent and Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells
PublicationAndrogen receptor (AR) plays a crutial role in prostate cancer (PCa) development and metastasis. Here, we reported potent anti-PCa activity of a small molecule imidazoacridinone C-1311. In AR-positive PCa cells, C-1311 was found to inhibit the transcriptional activity of AR uncovering a novel mechanism that may be relevant for its anticancer effect. Mechanistically, C-1311 decreased AR binding to prostate-specific antigen (PSA)...
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Postbiotics in oncology: science or science fiction?
PublicationThe gut microbiome has been increasingly understood to play a critical role in carcinogenesis and cancer disease progression. The most recent research advancements have shown that different tools of microbiota manipulation contribute to gut microbiome–immune–oncology axis modulation, offering exciting opportunities for targeted interventions aimed at improving the efficacy of established anti-cancer therapy. Postbiotics are a new...