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Search results for: MEMBRANE PROCESSES
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Modeling of subarachnoid space width change caused by blood circulation in brain vessels
PublicationThe subarachnoid space is an anatomic space, lying in the central nervous system, between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater. It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which protects and nourishes the brain. The pathological disorder of the subarachnoid space (i.e. increase or decrease of its width) a ects the nervous system. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the width changes of the subarachnoid space. One way to support...
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Functionalized azobenzocrown ethers as sensor materials—The synthesis and ion binding properties
PublicationNew 13- and 16-membered azobenzocrown ethers with aromatic amino, amide, ether–ester or ether–amide residue in para position to an azo moiety were obtained. Acid–base properties and ion binding ability of the colored compounds were studied by spectroscopic methods: UV–vis, fluorimetry and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Selected azobenzocrowns were tested as ionophores in ion-selective membrane electrodes (ISEs) – classic and miniature all...
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Iron(III)-selective materials based on a catechol-bearing amide for optical sensing
PublicationThe synthesis and ion-binding properties of a new amide L derived from 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid are described. Due to the presence of a catechol unit, the compound interacts selectively with iron(III) in organic solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) to produce a color change from pale yellow to green. The incorporation of the ligand L into polymeric matrices or its encapsulation into surfactant-based spheres enables analyte detection...
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Minimal surfaces and conservation laws for bidimensional structures
PublicationWe discuss conservation laws for thin structures which could be modeled as a material minimal surface, i.e., a surface with zero mean curvatures. The models of an elastic membrane and micropolar (six-parameter) shell undergoing finite deformations are considered. We show that for a minimal surface, it is possible to formulate a conservation law similar to three-dimensional non-linear elasticity. It brings us a path-independent...
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Mechanical characterization of a gravel column in a calibration chamber operating as a triaxial cell
PublicationA series of tests considering the behavior of gravel columns was performed. A segment of column with a height of 1 m and a diameter of 0.53 m was modelled in a calibration chamber used as a triaxial cell at three different lateral stress applied. The vertical load transferred on the column head was simulated with steady increase of water pressures in the upper and lower membranes. During the loading the volumetric changes in the...
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A BODIPY‐Based Molecular Rotor in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles: A Case Study by Polarization‐Resolved Time‐Resolved Emission and Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
PublicationBODIPY and BODIPY-derived systems are widely applied as fluorophores and as probes for viscosity detection in solvents and biological media. Their orientational and rotational dynamics in biological media are thus of vital mechanistic importance and extensively investigated. In this contribution, polarization-resolved confocal microscopy is used to determine the orientation of an amphiphilic BODIPY-cholesterol derivative in homogeneous...
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Evaluation of polycaprolactone as a new sorbent coating for determination of polar organic compounds in water samples using membrane–SPME
PublicationCommercially available solid-phase microextraction fibers used for isolation of polar analytes are based on the adsorption phenomenon. In consequence, typical limitations bonded with analytes displacement and matrix effects are very frequent. In the present study, alternative solution is described. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was used for the first time as sorbent to isolate polar organic compounds from water samples using the membrane–solid-phase...
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Phospholipid-functionalized gold electrode for cellular membrane interface studies - interactions between DMPC bilayer and human cystatin C
PublicationThis work describes the electrochemical studies on the interactions between V57G mutant of human cystatin C (hCC V57G) and membrane bilayer immobilized on the surface of a gold electrode. The electrode was modified with 6-mercaptohexan-1-ol (MCH) and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC). DMPC was used as a membrane mimetic for monitoring electrochemical changes resulting from the interactions between the functionalized...
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Qualitative analysis of phospholipids and their oxidised derivatives – used techniques and examples of their applications related to lipidomic research and food analysis
PublicationPhospholipids (PLs) are important biomolecules that not only constitute structural building blocks and scaffolds of cell and organelle membranes, but also play a vital role in cell biochemistry and physiology. Moreover, dietary exogenous PLs are characterized by high nutritional value and other beneficial health effects, which are confirmed by numerous epidemiological studies. For this reason, PLs are of high interest in lipidomics...
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Gender-Related Differences in Trimethylamine and Oxidative Blood Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease Patients
PublicationGender differences in the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been observed worldwide. In this study, plasmatic levels of trimethylamine (TMA) and blood oxidative biomarkers have been evaluated in 358 men (89 controls and 269 CVD patients) and 189 women (64 control and 125 CVD patients). The fluorescence technique was applied to determine erythrocyte membrane fluidity using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and Laurdan,...
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Chromogenic macrocyclic derivatives of azoles - synthesis and properties,
PublicationNew azocrown ethers comprising imidazoles in the macrocycle have been synthesized. Imidazole, 2-methyl-, 4-methyl-, and 4-phenylimidazole were incorporated to form macrocyclic units by coupling with the appropriate bis-diazonium salts. The syntheseswere performed under high dilution conditions. The X-ray structure of a water adduct of the 21-membered crown ether derivative of 4-methylimidazole 8 has been solved. Metal...
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Azomacrocyclic derivatives of imidazole: synthesis, structure, and metal ion complexation properties
PublicationNew azocrown ethers comprising imidazoles in the macrocycle have been synthesized. Imidazole, 2-methyl-, 4-methyl-, and 4-phenylimidazole were incorporated to form macrocyclic units by coupling with the appropriate bis-diazonium salts. The syntheseswere performed under high dilution conditions. The X-ray structure of a water adduct of the 21-membered crown ether derivative of 4-methylimidazole 8 has been solved. Metal...
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Dipodal Tetraamide Derivatives of 1,10-Diaza-18-Crown-6 and Alkylmalonic Acids—Synthesis and Use as Ionophores in Ion Selective Membrane Electrodes
PublicationNovel dipodal derivatives of an 18-membered diaza-crown ether with two diamide chains featuring methylmalonic or butylmalonic acid residues were obtained and tested as ionophores in ion-selective plasticized membrane electrodes. The objective of the study was to identify measurement conditions which ensure the most favorable performance for magnesium ion-selective electrodes. The relationship between the molar lipophilic anion...
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Effect of Laminar Pulsatile Fluid Flow on Separation of Volatile Organic Compounds from Aqueous Solution by a Hollow Fiber Membrane-Based Process
PublicationIn this study, a laminar pulsatile fluid flow was used for the separation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX) from aqueous solutions. Polyether sulfone hollow fiber membrane has been applied to this process. The effects of BTEX concentration, and feed and extraction flow rates were examined. It was found that the application of the pulsatile fluid flow with...
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Mechanical compatibility of implants used in hernia repair with abdominal wall
PublicationThe paper deals with a membrane model of a synthetic surgical mesh for treatment of abdominal hernia. The authors analyse the compatibility of two implant types with the human wall: Dualmesh Gore and Proceed. The finite element method is applied to simulate tjhe behavior of the proposed model. Due fact that recurrences are usually caused by connection failure, this study is focused on reaction forces in supports representing the...
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Utilization of ionic liquids for the enrichment of biogas
PublicationThis article discusses the dependence of biogas composition on organic feed material. High amounts of CO2 decrease the calorific value of biogas. Several technologies are reviewed which can be used to increase the calorific value. Special emphasis is laid on ionic liquids as a new absorbing material. ILs have a number of advantages due to their unique properties such as: low melting point, high thermal conductivity, no flammability,...
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Potentiometric Solid-Contact Multisensor System for Simultaneous Measurement of Several Ions
PublicationThe design and performance of potentiometric multisensor system made in solid-contact technology is described. Both, the measuring electrodes as well as the reference electrode are in a compact cell. The system allows for simultaneous measurement of various ions. The characteristics of the electrodes for Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions were determined using the designed system and compared with ISEs of the same membrane composition in classical...
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On the Possibility of the Amphotericin B-Sterol Complex Formation in Cholesterol- and Ergosterol-Containing Lipid Bilayers: A Molecular Dynamics Study
PublicationAmphotericin B (AmB) is a well-known membrane-active antibiotic that has been used to treat systemicfungal infections for more than 45 years. Therapeutic application of AmB is based on the fact that it is moreactive against ergosterol-containing membranes of fungal cells than against mammalian membranes withcholesterol. In this paper, we examine the hypothesis according to which the selectivity of the AmB's membraneaction originates...
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Comparative study of bisphenols in e-cigarette liquids: evaluating fabric phase sorptive extraction, ultrasound-assisted membrane extraction, and solid phase extraction techniques
PublicationTo address the under-researched risk of bisphenols (BPs) in e-cigarette liquids, comprehensive studies have been conducted to propose optimum sample preparation and analysis methods. To determine twelve BPs in refill liquids for e-cigarettes, three sample preparation methods based on distinct operational and working principles were employed. These included fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE), ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction...
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A XAS study of a highly diluted Pt electrocatalyst operating in PEM fuel cells
PublicationWe present an X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study of a low Pt content catalyst layer(Pt loading 0.1 mg c2) operating at the cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC). This catalyst is based on the use of a mesoporous inorganic matrix as a support forthe catalyst Pt nanoparticles. Due to the high Pt dilution, in situ measurements of itsstructural properties by XAS are challenging and suitable experimental strategies...
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Dynamics of mechanical model of implant-tissue system in ventral hernia repair
PublicationThe paper deals with a finite element modelling of implants in the problem of ventral hernia repair. The synthetic mesh implanted in the abdomen during surgery is here modelled as a membrane structure. Thesystem undergoes the internal abdominal pressure that occurs during the postoperative cough, the load identified in the literature as the main cause of the connection failure and hernia recurrence. The model can be used to estimate...
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Diverse roles, advantages and importance of deep eutectic solvents application in solid and liquid-phase microextraction techniques – A review
PublicationDeep eutectic solvents (DESs) are an emerging class of promising green solvents used as an alternative to traditional organic solvents in various scientific fields. The high biodegradability, biocompatibility, eco-friendliness, tunable properties, and presence of active groups in DESs make them the preferred solvent in a variety of solid- and liquid-phase microextraction techniques. Aside from these benefits, the use of DESs in...
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Roofing Materials as Pollution Emiters - Concentration Changes During Runoff
PublicationThe influence of roofing material on concentration of pollutants in roof runoff waters and changes of pollution concentration in time were investigated. In field studies four roofing material types were taken into consideration - ceramic tile, bituminous membrane, asbestos tile and zinc sheeting. Samples were collected since November 2007 to March 2008, anions, cations, metals, PAHs, pesticides and PCB were determined. The existence...
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Pervaporation of volatile organohalogen compounds throughpolydimethylsiloxane membrane
PublicationThe objective of this work was to apply dense polymeric membranes for pervaporation of tetrachloroethene from aqueous solution. Three membranes were evaluated: polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-PV1 and PDMSPV2) membranes, and a PDMS with ZSM-5 zeolite filled (PERVAP-1070) membrane. The effect of feed composition on flux and selectivity was also investigated. Tested membranes showed good properties in the separation of tetrachloroethylene,...
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Modeling bioaugmentation with nitrifiers in membrane bioreactors
PublicationBioaugmentation with nitrifiers was studied using two pilot-scale membrane bioreactors, with the purpose of assessing the suitability of state-of-the-art activated sludge models (ASMs) in predicting the efficiency of bioaugmentation as a function of operating conditions. It was demonstrated that the temperature difference between seeding and seeded reactors (ΔT) affects bioaugmentation efficiency. Experimental data were accurately...
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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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Mathematical modelling of implant in an operated hernia for estimation of the repair persistence
PublicationThis paper presents mathematical modelling of an implanted surgical mesh used in the repair process of the abdominal hernia. The synthetic implant is simulated by a membrane structure. The author provides a material modelling of the implant based on the dense net model appropriate for technical fabrics. The accuracy of the proposed solution is evaluated by comparing the simulations of the dynamic behaviour of the system with the...
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Badania bioaktywności z wykorzystaniem komórek kościotwórczych na tytanie pokrytym chitozanem = Bioactivity studies using osteogenic cells on titanium coated with chitosan
PublicationChitosan is a natural polymer from the group of polysaccharides, which has found wide application in biomedical applications to induce bioactivity of implant. The studies described were carried out test imposition of chitosan membranes with varying degrees of deacetylation on the surface of titanium, and then check the bioactivity of the material in vitro, using osteogenic cells MC3T3-E1. Titanium surface before imposition of...
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Global sensitivity analysis of membrane model of abdominal wall with surgical mesh
PublicationThe paper addresses the issue of ventral hernia repair. Finite Element simulations can be helpful in the optimization of hernia parameters. A membrane abdominal wall model is proposed in two variants: a healthy one and including hernia defect repaired by implant. The models include many uncertainties, e.g. due to variability of abdominal wall, intraabdominal pressure value etc. Measuring mechanical properties with high accuracy...
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The possibility of the application of a potentiometric sensor with all-solid-state electrodes for the quality control of different natural waters
PublicationThe quality of various natural waters was examined by a new potentiometric sensor with six all solid state electrodes containing an appropriate lipophilic compound in a polymer membrane. Physicochemical parameters such as conductivity and acidity of tested waters were also tested. All waters were neutral or slightly alkaline and contained different ions (e.g., Cl–) due to the place of their sampling (a coastal zone and a moraine...
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Dynamic characteristics of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell module
PublicationThe paper describes a fuel cell based system and its performance. The system is based on two fuel cell units, DC/DC converter, DC/AC inverter, microprocessor control unit, load unit, bottled hydrogen supply system and a set of measurement instruments. In the study presented in the paper a dynamic response of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system to unit step change load as well as to periodical load changing cycles...
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Pervaporation Zeolite-Based Composite Membranes for Solvent Separations
PublicationThanks to their well-defined molecular sieving and stability, zeolites have been proposed in selective membrane separations, such as gas separation and pervaporation. For instance, the incorporation of zeolites into polymer phases to generate composite (or mixed matrix) membranes revealed important advances in pervaporation. Therefore, the goal of this review is to compile and elucidate the latest advances (over the last 2-3 years)...
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Synthetic strategies in construction of organic low molecular-weight carrier-drug conjugates
PublicationInefficient transportation of polar metabolic inhibitors through cell membranes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells precludes their direct use as drug candidates in chemotherapy. One of the possible solutions to this problem is application of the ‘Trojan horse’ strategy, i.e. conjugation of an active substance with a molecular carrier of organic or inorganic nature, facilitating membrane penetration. In this work, the synthetic...
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Application of ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane packed liquid samples for polyphenols determination in wine samples
PublicationPolyphenols play a crucial role in a proper human health maintenance as well as their presence very often correspond to the quality assessment of producs like wine. Thus, their monitoring is of high interest. However, as they occur in a complex matrices their extraction is very often necessary prior the analysis. Herein, a new ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane packed liquid sample technique has been optimized...
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Influence of temperature and nitrogen pressure on the test without active gases for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells
PublicationHigh-Temperature Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (HT-PEMFCs) are a candidate for electrical energy supply devices in more and more applications. Most notably in the aeronautic industry. Before any use, an HT-PEMFC is preheated and after that supplied with its active gases. Only at this state, the diagnostics can be performed. A method of testing not requiring a complete start-up would be beneficial for many reasons. This article...
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2-D constitutive equations for orthotropic Cosserat type laminated shells in finite element analysis
PublicationWe propose 2-D Cosserat type orthotropic constitutive equations for laminated shells for the purpose of initial failure estimation in a laminate layer. We use nonlinear 6-parameter shell theory with asymmetric membrane strain measures and Cosserat kinematics as the framework. This theory is specially dedicated to the analysis of irregular shells, inter alia, with orthogonal intersections, since it takes into account the drilling...
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Peptide dendrimers as antifungal agents and carriers for potential antifungal agent—N3‐(4‐methoxyfumaroyl)‐(S)‐2,3‐ diaminopropanoic acid—synthesis and antimicrobial activity
PublicationA series of peptide dendrimers and their conjugates with antimicrobial agent FMDP (N3‐(4‐methoxyfumaroyl)‐(S)‐2,3‐diamino‐propanoic acid) were synthesized. The obtained compounds were tested for the antibacterial and antifungal activity. All novel dendrimers displayed much better activity against the tested strains than FMDP itself. Moreover, their conjugates with FMDP also exhibited antimicrobial activity. The most promising molecules...
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Strongly anisotropic surface elasticity and antiplane surface waves
PublicationWithin the new model of surface elasticity, the propagation of anti-plane surface waves is discussed. For the proposed model, the surface strain energy depends on surface stretching and on changing of curvature along a preferred direction. From the continuum mechanics point of view, the model describes finite deformations of an elastic solid with an elastic membrane attached on its boundary reinforced by a family of aligned elastic...
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Quest for the Molecular Basis of Improved Selective Toxicity of All-Trans Isomers of Aromatic Heptaene Macrolide Antifungal Antibiotics
PublicationThree aromatic heptaene macrolide antifungal antibiotics, Candicidin D, Partricin A (Gedamycin) and Partricin B (Vacidin) were subjected to controlled cis-trans to all trans photochemical isomerization. The obtained all-trans isomers demonstrated substantially improved in vitro selective toxicity in the Candida albicans cells: human erythrocytes model. This effect was mainly due to the diminished hemotoxicity. The molecular modeling...
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Bisphenols and their derivatives in baby diaper samples.
PublicationMany common products contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols that are harmful to human health. For toddlers, this dangerousness is higher because of their not fully developed detoxification system. Due to this, bisphenols content in products such as baby diapers, should be monitored. Baby diapers not only remain in close contact with the skin, but are also used from the...
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The Effect of Sterols on Amphotericin B Self-Aggregation in a Lipid Bilayer as Revealed by Free Energy Simulations
PublicationAmphotericin B (AmB) is an effective but toxic antifungal drug, known to increase the permeability of the cell membrane, presumably by assembling into transmembrane pores in a sterol-dependent manner. The aggregation of AmB molecules in a phospholipid bilayer is, thus, crucial for the drug’s activity. To provide an insight into the molecular nature of this process, here, we report an atomistic molecular dynamics simulation study...
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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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Separation of toluene from gas phase using supported imidazolium ionic liquid membrane
PublicationInvestigation on utilization of supported ionic liquids membranes for hydrocarbon separation from the gas phase was performed. Properties of membrane phase, wettability of supports, swelling effects and solubility of toluene were taken into account. Toluene permeation rates were significantly higher than those of pure nitrogen, the selectivity in a range of 17–341 was satisfying for separation. Despite the increase of viscosity...
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Constitutive Modelling of Knitted Abdominal Implants in Numerical Simulations of Repaired Hernia Mechanics
PublicationThe paper presents a numerical approach to describe mechanical behavior of anisotropic textile material, which is a selected abdominal prosthesis. Two constitutive nonlinear concepts are compared. In the first one the material is considered composed from two families of threads (dense net model) and in the second one the material is homogeneous but anisotropic (as proposed by Gassel, Ogden, Holzapfel). Parameters of both models...
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A miniaturized solid-contact potentiometric multisensor platform for determination of ionic profiles in human saliva
PublicationThis paper describes a miniaturized multisensor platform (MP-ISES) consisting of electrodes: a reference one (RE) and ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for monitoring Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, and SCN− ions and pH in human saliva. Gold electrode surface was modified by deposition of two layers: electrosynthesized PEDOT:PSS forming an intermediate layer, and ion-selective membrane. The developed ISEs were characterized by a wide linear...
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Synthetic strategies in construction of organic macromolecular carrier–drug conjugates
PublicationMany metabolic inhibitors, considered potential antimicrobial or anticancer drug candidates, exhibit verylimited ability to cross the biological membranes of target cells. The restricted cellular penetration ofthose molecules is often due to their highhydrophilicity. One of the possible solutions to this problem is aconjugation of an inhibitor with a molecular organic nanocarrier. The conjugate thus formed should beable to penetrate...
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Use of pyridinium and pyrrolidinium ionic liquids for removal of toluene from gas streams
PublicationSeparation of toluene from a toluene/N2 gas mixture using supported liquid membranes based on a series of pyridinium (1-butylpyridinium- bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide - [C4Py][Tf2N], 1-hexylpyridinium trifluoromethanesulfone [C6Py][Tf2N]) and pyrrolidinium (1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide - [C4Pyrr][Tf2N], 1-hexyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide - [C6Pyrr][Tf2N], 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium...
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Pyrrole bearing diazocrowns: Selective chromoionophores for lead(II) optical sensing
PublicationDiazocrowns of 18-, 21- and 23-membered rings with pyrrole residue as a part of macrocycle were for the first time used as chromoionophores in lead(II) selective optodes. Sensing properties of optodes depend on the type of macrocycle, namely its size and the type of linker: oligoether or hydrocarbon chain. The best results were obtained for optode bearing 18-membered crown with oligoether linker showing linear response range of...
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Missing Puzzle Pieces in Dementia Research: HCN Channels and Theta Oscillations
PublicationIncreasing evidence indicates a role of hyperpolarization activated cation (HCN) channels in controlling the resting membrane potential, pacemaker activity, memory formation, sleep, and arousal. Their disfunction may be associated with the development of epilepsy and age-related memory decline. Neuronal hyperexcitability involved in epileptogenesis and EEG desynchronization occur in the course of dementia in human Alzheimer’s Disease...
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Extraction and Analysis of Bisphenols and Their Derivatives in Infant and Toddler Ready-to-feed Meals by Ultrasound-assisted Membrane Extraction Followed by LC MS/MS
PublicationThis research developed an ultrasound-assisted membrane extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of nineteen bisphenols and their derivatives in infant and toddler ready-to-feed meals. The calibration curves for all analytes were linear in the tested range, and the limit of detection and limit of quantitation were in the range 0.27 to 0.79 ng/g and 0.80 to 2.4 ng/g, respectively....