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Search results for: LIGHT ENHANCEMENT
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The Influence of External Load on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells
PublicationIn this work, the effect of the external load on the current and power generation, as well as on the pollutant removal by microbial fuel cells (MFCs), has been studied by step-wise modifying the external load. The load changes included a direct scan, in which the external resistance was increased from 120 Ω to 3300 Ω, and a subsequent reverse scan, in which the external resistance was decreased back to 120 Ω. The reduction in the...
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Boron doped Nanocrystalline Diamond-Carbon Nanospike Hybrid Electron Emission Source
PublicationElectron emission signifies an important mechanism facilitating the enlargement of devices that have modernized large parts of science and technology. Today, the search for innovative electron emission devices for imaging, sensing, electronics, and high-energy physics continues. Integrating two materials with dissimilar electronic properties into a hybrid material is an extremely sought-after synergistic approach envisioning a...
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Towards understanding the role of peroxide initiators on compatibilization efficiency of thermoplastic elastomers highly filled with reclaimed GTR
PublicationThermoplastic elastomers based on recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymer were highly filled with reclaimed ground tire rubber (RR). The impact of various organic peroxides (dicumyl peroxide (DCP), benzoyl peroxide (BP) and di-tert-butyl peroxide (DB)), applied as free-radical initiators, on the processing, structure and performance properties of rHDPE/SBS/RR blends was investigated....
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Electrical Stimulation Modulates High Gamma Activity and Human Memory Performance
PublicationDirect electrical stimulation of the brain has emerged as a powerful treatment for multiple neurological diseases, and as a potential technique to enhance human cognition. Despite its application in a range of brain disorders, it remains unclear how stimulation of discrete brain areas affects memory performance and the underlying electrophysiological activities. Here, we investigated the effect of direct electrical stimulation...
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Silver nanoparticles incorporated with superior silica nanoparticles-based rice straw to maximize biogas production from anaerobic digestion of landfill leachate
PublicationTreating hazardous landfill leachate poses significant environmental challenges due to its complex nature. In this study, we propose a novel approach for enhancing the anaerobic digestion of landfill leachate using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) conjugated with eco-friendly green silica nanoparticles (Si NPs). The synthesized Si NPs and Ag@Si NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques, including transmission electron...
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Millimeter Wave Negative Refractive Index Metamaterial Antenna Array
PublicationIn this paper, a novel negative refractive index metamaterial (NIM) is developed and characterized. The proposed metamaterial exhibits negative effective permittivity (εeffe) and negative effective permeability (µeffe) at millimeter wave frequency of 28GHz. This attractive feature is utilized to enhance the gain of a microstrip patch antenna (MPA). Two thin layers of 5 5 subwavelength unit cell array of NIM are placed above a...
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Polyurethane/ground tire rubber composite foams based on polyglycerol: processing, mechanical and thermal properties
PublicationDuring the synthesis of rigid polyurethane foams, petrochemical polyol was substituted with polyglycerol, the product of thermo-catalytic polycondensation of waste glycerol, resulting from biodiesel production. Two types of ground tire rubbers, untreated and thermo-mechanically reclaimed, were used to obtain ‘‘green’’ polyurethane-polyglycerol composite foams. Samples were prepared by a single-step method for the ratio of NCO/OH...
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Recent advances of selected passive heat transfer intensification methods for phase change material-based latent heat energy storage units: A review
PublicationThe following article overviews recent studies regarding heat transfer enhancement methods, explicitly focusing on fins and coils utilization, in phase change material-based latent heat thermal energy storage systems. It discusses the influence of various geometrical and material parameters on the melting and solidification processes, as well as the orientation of the heat transfer surface within the storage tank. Additionally,...
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Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Agents for Improving Solubility, Stability and Delivery of Curcumin
PublicationPurpose Study on curcumin dissolved in natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) was aimed at exploiting their beneficial properties as drug carriers. Methods The concentration of dissolved curcumin in NADES was measured. Simulated gastrointestinal fluids were used to determine the concentration of curcumin and quantum chemistry computations were performed for clarifying the origin of curcumin solubility enhancement in NADES. Results NADES...
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Novel strategies to enhance hydrodynamic cavitation in a circular venturi using RANS numerical simulations
PublicationHydrodynamic cavitation is a popular advanced oxidation technique and it has received wide range of applications from waste water treatment to the nanoparticles synthesis in recent years. The enhancement of the intensity of the hydrodynamic cavitation is always been an emerging field of research. Within this framework, we have proposed and investigated three distinct strategies to enhance the intensity of cavitation in a circular...
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The mechanisms of degradation of titanium dental implants
PublicationTitanium dental implants show very good properties, unfortunately there are still issues regarding material wear due to corrosion, implant loosening, as well as biological factors—allergic reactions and inflammation leading to rejection of the implanted material. In order to avoid performing reimplantation operations, changes in the chemical composition and/or modifications of the surface layer of the materials are used. This research...
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Electron collisions with X(CH3)4 molecules (X = C, Si, Ge)
PublicationAbsolute grand-total cross sections (TCSs) for electron scattering from tetramethylmethane [C(CH3)4], tetramethylsilane [Si(CH3)4], and tetramethylgermane [Ge(CH3)4] molecules have been measured at electron-impact energies extending from around 0.5 to 300 eV in the linear electron-transmission experiment. The measured TCS energy dependences show very pronounced broad enhancement, peaking near 5.5 eV for Si(CH3)4 and Ge(CH3)4 molecules...
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Cost-Efficient Measurement Platform and Machine-Learning-Based Sensor Calibration for Precise NO2 Pollution Monitoring
PublicationAir quality significantly impacts human health, the environment, and the economy. Precise real-time monitoring of air pollution is crucial for managing associated risks and developing appropriate short- and long-term measures. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) stands as a common pollutant, with elevated levels posing risks to the human respiratory tract, exacerbating respiratory infections and asthma, and potentially leading to chronic lung...
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Design and Experimental Validation of a Metamaterial-Based Sensor for Microwave Imaging in Breast, Lung, and Brain Cancer Detection
PublicationThis study proposes an innovative geometry of a microstrip sensor for high-resolution microwave imaging (MWI). The main intended application of the sensor is early detection of breast, lung, and brain cancer. The proposed design consists of a microstrip patch antenna fed by a coplanar waveguide with a metamaterial layer-based lens implemented on the back side, and an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) realized on as a separate...
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Soft Tissue Retraction Maneuver in Cone Beam Computed Tomography Prior to Crown-Lengthening Procedure—A Technical Note
PublicationBackground: An accurate determination of the biological width and the relationship of the cemento-enamel junction with the border of the alveolar bone is crucial during a clinical crown-lengthening (CCL) procedure. The aim of this study was to present a technical note about the retraction techniques in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) prior to CCL, highlighting the significant enhancement in procedural accuracy and predictability...
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Modeling and optimization of chemical-treated torrefaction of wheat straw to improve energy density by response surface methodology
PublicationToday, torrefaction is important technique for extending the potential of biomass for improvement of energy density. The independent variables investigated for torrefaction study were temperature, retention time, acid concentration, and particle size. The experiment was designed by central composite design (CCD) method using design expert (version 11). The three dependent variables were higher heating value (HHV), energy enhancement...
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Feature Weighted Attention-Bidirectional Long Short Term Memory Model for Change Detection in Remote Sensing Images
PublicationIn remote sensing images, change detection (CD) is required in many applications, such as: resource management, urban expansion research, land management, and disaster assessment. Various deep learning-based methods were applied to satellite image analysis for change detection, yet many of them have limitations, including the overfitting problem. This research proposes the Feature Weighted Attention (FWA) in Bidirectional Long...
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Design and Optimization of Metamaterial-Based Dual-Band 28/38 GHz 5G MIMO Antenna with Modified Ground for Isolation and Bandwidth Improvement
PublicationThis letter presents a high-isolation dual-band multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna based on the ground plane modification and optimized metamaterials (MMs) for 5G millimeter-wave applications. The antenna is a monopole providing a dual-band response at 5G 28/38 bands with a small physical size (4.8 × 2.9 × 0.762 mm3, excluding the feeding line). The MIMO consists of two symmetric radiating elements arranged adjacently...
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Thermal Energy Storage with PCMs in Shell-and-Tube Units: A Review
PublicationThe paper presents a survey of the experimental and numerical studies of shell-and-tube systems in which phase change material (PCM) is used. Due to the multitude of design solutions for shell-and-tube systems, the emphasis is placed on double-tube (DT), triplex-tube (TT), and multitube (MT) units. Additionally, only single-pass systems are considered. Particular attention is paid to the method of heat transfer intensification....
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New Transparent Flame-Retardant (FR) Coatings Based on Epoxy-Aluminum Hypophosphite Nanocomposites
PublicationThe present study investigated the flame-retardant (FR) effect of transparent epoxy coating containing aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) nanoparticles (NPs) on polylactic acid (PLA) sheets used as a typical model of combustible polymeric material. First, AHP NPs (≤60 nm) were prepared by a specific two-stage wet milling process and deeply analyzed (morphology, thermal/mechanisms of degradation under nitrogen and air). The thermal properties...
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Developing a Framework for the Implementation of Landscape and Greenspace Indicators in Sustainable Urban Planning. Waterfront Landscape Management: Case Studies in Gdańsk, Poznań and Bristol
PublicationUrban landscape (UL) management and urban greenspace (UG) delivery require effective planning tools. The aim of the study is to develop a conceptual framework for the implementation of ecological, structural and visual landscape and greenspace indicators (LGI) in spatial development of urban areas. The UL and UG management provisions in Poland are identified at various levels of urban planning (local, municipal and regional). Furthermore,...
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Porous structures in aspects of transpirating cooling of oxycombustion chamber walls
PublicationA wet oxycombustion chamber, which must be effectively cooled due to high temperature evolved during the oxy-combustion process, by using the phenomena of Reynolds thermal transpiration and Navier slip velocity. Closures needed to execute mass flow rate in a microchannel, which should be treated as a single porous structure in the walls of the combustion chamber, have been obtained by applying a local 3D approach. The Navier-Stokes...
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Rapid Variable-Resolution Parameter Tuning of Antenna Structures Using Frequency-Based Regularization and Sparse Sensitivity Updates
PublicationGeometry parameter tuning is an inherent part of antenna design process. While most often performed in a local sense, it still entails considerable computational expenses when carried out at the level of full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulation models. Moreover, the optimization outcome may be impaired if good initial design is not available. This paper proposes a novel approach to fast and improved-reliability gradient-based...
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Efficient knowledge-based optimization of expensive computational models using adaptive response correction
PublicationComputer simulation has become an indispensable tool in engineering design as they allow an accurate evaluation of the system performance. This is critical in order to carry out the design process in a reliable manner without costly prototyping and physical measurements. However, high-fidelity computer simulations are computationally expensive. This turns to be a fundamental bottleneck when it comes to design automation using numerical...
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Scattering of electrons by a 1,2-butadiene (C4H6) molecule: measurements and calculations
PublicationWe present the results of experimental and theoretical study on electron collisions with a 1,2-butadiene (H2C=C=CHCH3) molecule. Absolute grand-total cross sections (TCSs) were measured using a linear electron-transmission method for collision energies in the 0.5–300 eV range. Two distinct features in the TCS energy curve were detected: a narrow peak located at 2.3 eV and a broad enhancement centered around 9 eV. We attributed...
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Feasibility study of a Raman spectroscopic route to drug detection
PublicationWe present an surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach for detection of drugs of abuse in whole human blood. We utilize a near infrared laser with 830 nm excitation wavelength in order to reduce the influence of fluorescence on the spectra of blood. However, regular plasmon resonance peak of plasmonic nanoparticles, such as silver or gold fall in a much lower wavelength regime about 400 nm. Therefore, we have shifted...
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Chemical-Assisted Mechanical Lapping of Thin Boron-Doped Diamond Films: A Fast Route Toward High Electrochemical Performance for Sensing Devices
PublicationThere is an urgent need for an effective and economically viable increase in electrochemical performance of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes that are used in sensing and electrocatalytic applications. Specifically, one must take into consideration the electrode heterogeneity due to nonhomogenous boron-dopant distribution and the removal of sp2 carbon impurities saturating the electrode, without interference in material integrity....
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Electron scattering from 2-methyl–1,3-butadiene,C5H8, molecules: Role of methylation
PublicationWe report cross-section results from experimental and theoretical investigations into electron collisions with the 2-methyl–1,3-butadiene [C5H8] molecule. The current results are compared with our previous results for the 1,3-butadiene [C4H6] molecule, a structural homologue of 2-methyl–1,3-butadiene, to investigate how the methylation (the substitution of hydrogen atom by a methyl group) affects the shape and/or magnitude of the...
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Cost-Efficient Optical Fronthaul Architectures for 5G and Future 6G Networks
PublicationFifth-generation and Beyond (5GB) wireless networks have introduced new centralized architectures such as cloud radio access network (CRAN), which necessitate extremely high-capacity low latency Fronthaul (FH). CRAN has many advantageous features in terms of cost reduction, performance enhancement, ease of deployment, and centralization of network management. Nevertheless, designing and deploying a cost-efficient FH is still a...
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VREA PROJECT - A DIGITAL CURATOR FOR ARCHITECTURE AND DIGITAL PERSPECTIVES FOR HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCEMENT
PublicationThinking about architectural education, one must face the challenges of the ever-changing and digital world and bear in mind the figure of the architect of the future - the curator of digital data. Nowadays the aim is to train specialists who know how to manage the production of digital products and are able to face the challenges of digital change in the field of architecture and architectural heritage management. Virtual Reality...
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Evaluation of Lombard Speech Models in the Context of Speech in Noise Enhancement
PublicationThe Lombard effect is one of the most well-known effects of noise on speech production. Speech with the Lombard effect is more easily recognizable in noisy environments than normal natural speech. Our previous investigations showed that speech synthesis models might retain Lombard-effect characteristics. In this study, we investigate several speech models, such as harmonic, source-filter, and sinusoidal, applied to Lombard speech...
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Rapid multi-objective optimization of antennas using nested kriging surrogates and single-fidelity EM simulation models
PublicationEver increasing performance requirements make the design of contemporary antenna systems a complex and multi-stage process. One of the challenges, pertinent to the emerging application areas but also some of the recent trends (miniaturization, demands for multi-functionality, etc.), is the necessity of handling several performance figures such as impedance matching, gain, or axial ratio, often over multiple frequency bands. The...
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Reduced-Cost Design Optimization of High-Frequency Structures Using Adaptive Jacobian Updates
PublicationElectromagnetic (EM) analysis is the primary tool utilized in the design of high-frequency structures. In vast majority of cases, simpler models (e.g., equivalent networks or analytical ones) are either not available or lack accuracy: they can only be used to yield initial designs that need to be further tuned. Consequently, EM-driven adjustment of geometry and/or material parameters of microwave and antenna components is a necessary...
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Investigating the combined impact of plasticizer and shear force on the efficiency of low temperature reclaiming of ground tire rubber (GTR)
PublicationIn the present work, ground tire rubber (GTR) was mechano-chemically reclaimed at ambient temperature using two-roll mills. Road bitumen and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified bitumen at variable content (in range: 2.5–20 phr) were applied as reactive plasticizers to enhance reclaiming of GTR. For better understanding the plasticizing effect of bitumen on the quality of obtained reclaimed rubber, mechano-chemically reclaimed...
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Electrochemical determination of neurotransmitter serotonin using boron/nitrogen co-doped diamond-graphene nanowall-structured particles
PublicationElectrode fouling is a major issue in biological detection due to the adhesion of the protein itself and polymerization of biomolecules on the electrode surface, impeding the electron transfer ability and decreasing the current response. To overcome this issue, the use of anti-fouling material, especially boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode, is an alternative way. However, the electrocatalytic activity of BDD is inadequate compared...
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Three-dimensional numerical investigation of hybrid nanofluids in chain microchannel under electrohydrodynamic actuator
PublicationEnergy efficiency enhancement methods have received considerable attentionwithin the industry and scientific community, owing to the rising concern ofglobal energy sustainability. The present article attempts to scrutinize the effectsof electrohydrodynamics and nanofluids on the rate of heat transfer and fluidflow in the 3-D chain microchannels. Improved heat exchangers (e.g., chainmicrochannel) would have a key role in increasing...
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Comprehensive Enhancement of Prepolymer-Based Flexible Polyurethane Foams’ Performance by Introduction of Cost-Effective Waste-Based Ground Tire Rubber Particles
PublicationMaterial innovations in polyurethane (PU) foams should ideally combine performance enhancement, environmental impact limitation, and cost reduction. These goals can be achieved by applying recycled or waste-based materials without broader industrial applications, implicating their low price. Herein, from 5 to 20 parts by weight of ground tire rubber (GTR) particles originated from the recycling of postconsumer car tires were incorporated...
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Overcoming carboxylic acid inhibition by granular consortia in high-load liquefied food waste fermentation for efficient lactate accumulation
PublicationGranular sludge, a self-aggregating spherical biofilm, possesses better stability compared to flocculent sludge under extreme conditions. This study compared the ability of anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) and flocculent waste activated sludge (WAS) to convert food waste (FW) into highly-valuable optically active lactic acid (LA), a central and versatile intermediate platform molecule. Different loadings (30–60 g volatile suspended...
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Electron collisions with methyl-substituted ethylenes: Cross section measurements and calculations for 2-methyl–2-butene and 2,3-dimethyl–2-butene
PublicationWe report electron-scattering cross sections determined for 2-methyl–2-butene [(H3C)HC==C(CH3)2] and 2,3-dimethyl–2-butene [(H3C)2C=C(CH3)2] molecules. Absolute grand-total cross sections (TCSs) were measured for incident electron energies in the 0.5–300 eV range, using a linear electron-transmission technique. The experimental TCS energy dependences for the both targets appear to be very similar with respect to the shape. In each...
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Fermi-liquid behavior of binary intermetallic compounds Y3 M (M = Co, Ni, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt)
PublicationA series of polycrystalline samples of Y3 M (M = Co, Ni, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt), intermetallic binary compounds were synthesized by the arc-melting method. Powder x-ray diffraction (pXRD) confirmed the orthorhombic cementite-type crystal structure and allowed for the estimation of the lattice parameters. Physical properties were investigated by means of electrical resistivity and heat capacity measurements between 1.9 K and 300 K. All...
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Heat treatment effect on Eu3+ doped TeO2-BaO-Bi2O3 glass systems with Ag nanoparticles.
PublicationGlass systems of 73TeO2-4BaO-3Bi2O3-2Eu2O3-xAg ( in molar ratio where x= 0, 1, 2, 3) compositions have been successfully synthesized. Silver nanoparticles were obtained with the employment of heat treatment (HT) procedure executed at 350 °C. Glass transition temperatures of different compositions have been determined through DSC measurements. XRD measurement results presented characteristic amorphous halo indicating lack of long...
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Generalized Formulation of Response Features for Reliable Optimization of Antenna Input Characteristics
PublicationElectromagnetic (EM)-driven parameter adjustment has become imperative in the design of modern antennas. It is necessary because the initial designs rendered through topology evolution, parameter sweeping, or theoretical models, are often of poor quality and need to be improved to satisfy stringent performance requirements. Given multiple objectives, constraints, and a typically large number of geometry parameters, the design closure...
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Determination of free tyrosine in equestrian supplements by LC–MS/MS and comparison of its quantity with total free amino acids content in view of doping control
PublicationThe reports on the probable beneficial impact of tyrosine (TYR) supplementation on performance enhancement have contributed to the growth of interest in TYR in equestrian sports field and related industries, such as the manufacture of dietary and nutritional supplements. In this study, the first attempt to the assessment of horses exposure to TYR during nutritional supplementation was demonstrated by quantification of unbound TYR...
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Experimental and Theoretical Screening for Green Solvents Improving Sulfamethizole Solubility
PublicationSolubility enhancement of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients is of crucial importance for drug development and processing. Extensive experimental screening is limited due to the vast number of potential solvent combinations. Hence, theoretical models can offer valuable hints for guiding experiments aimed at providing solubility data. In this paper, we explore the possibility of applying quantum-chemistry-derived...
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Energy efficient indoor localisation for narrowband internet of things
PublicationThere are an increasing number of Narrow Band IoT devices being manufactured as the technology behind them develops quickly. The high co-channel interference and signal attenuation was seen in edge Narrow Band IoT devices make it challenging to guarantee the service quality of these devices. To maximize the data rate fairness of Narrow Band IoT devices, a multi-dimensional indoor localization model is devised, consisting of...
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The importance of individual spray properties in performance improvement of a urea-SCR system employing flash-boiling injection
PublicationThe appropriate mixing of a urea–water solution (UWS) with exhaust gases in a selective catalytic reduction system is crucial to efficiently reduce nitrogen oxides and diminish the deposition of liquid wall film. One of the methods to enhance the mixing of the UWS with the exhaust gases is a flash-boiling injection. Its positive effect has been linked with a reduced Sauter mean diameter (SMD) and improved evaporation, but the...
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Natural fish oil improves the differentiation and maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to oligodendrocytes in vitro after interaction with the blood–brain barrier
PublicationThe blood–brain barrier (BBB) tightly controls the microenvironment of the central nervous system (CNS) to allow neurons to function properly. Additionally, emerging studies point to the beneficial effect of natural oils affecting a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes in the human body. In this study, using an in vitro model of the BBB, we tested the influence of natural fish oil mixture (FOM) vs. borage oil...
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Functional fluorine-doped tin oxide coating for opto-electrochemical label-free biosensors
PublicationSensors operating in multiple domains, such as optical and electrochemical, offer properties making biosensing more effective than those working in a single domain. To combine such domains in one sensing device, materials offering a certain set of properties are required. Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin film is discussed in this work as functional optically for guiding lossy modes and simultaneously electrochemically, i.e....
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A Novel Method for Intelligibility Assessment of Nonlinearly Processed Speech in Spaces Characterized by Long Reverberation Times
PublicationObjective assessment of speech intelligibility is a complex task that requires taking into account a number of factors such as different perception of each speech sub-bands by the human hearing sense or different physical properties of each frequency band of a speech signal. Currently, the state-of-the-art method used for assessing the quality of speech transmission is the speech transmission index (STI). It is a standardized way...
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A New Method for Automatic Generation of Animated Motion
PublicationA new method for generation of animation with a quality comparable to a natural motion is presented. Proposed algorithm is based on fuzzy description of motion parameters and subjective features. It is assumed that such processing increases naturalness and quality of motion, which is verified by subjective evaluation tests. First, reference motion data are gathered utilizing a motion capture system, then these data are reduced...