Search results for: MULTI-SPECIES
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Construction of phylogenetic trees with topological constraints
PublicationThis paper proposes a method of reconstruction of phylogenetic trees based on heuristic search with topological constraints. Using topological constraints it is possible to reduce the set of solutions as well as to enforce that the result is consistent with a given hypothesis about the evolution process within some group of species. Along with this work a number of algorithms used for phylogenetic analysis were implemented. Those...
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Relationship between heart rate variability, blood pressure and arterial wall properties during air and oxygen breathing in healthy subjects
PublicationPrevious studies reported that normobaric hyperoxia influences heart rate, arterial pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance, but the mechanisms underlying these changes are still not fully understood. Several factors are considered including degeneration of endothelium-derived nitric oxide by reactive oxygen species, the impact of oxygen-free radicals on tissues and alterations of autonomic nervous system function....
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Molecular identification and genotyping of Staphylococci: genus, species, strains, colnes, lineages, and interspecies exchanges
PublicationStaphylococci are increasingly recognized as etiological agents of many opportunistic human and animal infections, emphasizing the need for a rapid and accurate identification, even to a genotypical level of these bacteria. In the recent years, there has been a significant progress in typing and phylogenetic study of Staphylococcus species. Here, we describe molecular methods used in taxonomy as well as staphylococci characterization....
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The relationship between standard reduction potentials of catechins and biological activities involved in redox control
PublicationRedox homeostasis involves factors that ensure proper function of cells. The excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to oxidative stress and increased risk of oxidative damage to cellular components. In contrast, upon reductive stress, insufficient ROS abundance may result in faulty cell signalling. It may be expected that dietary antioxidants, depending on their standard reduction potentials (E°), will affect both scenarios....
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Comparison of nitrogen and VFA removal pathways in autotrophic and organotrophic anammox reactors
PublicationOrganotrophic anammox is a promising process for treating both nitrogen and organic containing wastewater than that of the traditional autotrophic anammox for sole nitrogen removal. However pathways of nitrogen removal particularly at metagenomic level in both processes are still unknown. Here we report, metabolic pathways of nitrogen removal in two lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR), one autotrophic and another organotrophic...
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Removal of VOCs from air and assessment of dominant species in a peat-perlite biotrickling filter
PublicationAir pollution has become a major concern because it is inevitably connected with the rapid development of both industrial and residential areas. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from various anthropogenic sources e.g. transportation, factories or landfills as well as recycling factories. It is problematic not only because of the direct impact on humans and environment but also from economy viewpoint as it increases...
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Understanding the kinetics and atmospheric degradation mechanism of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CF2=CFCl) initiated by OH radicals
PublicationThe atmospheric degradation of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) by OH˙ was investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The potential energy surfaces were also defined in terms of single-point energies derived from the linked cluster CCSD(T) theory. With an energy barrier of −2.62 to −0.99 kcal mol−1 using the M06-2x method, the negative temperature dependence was determined. The OH˙ attack on Cα and Cβ atoms (labeled pathways...
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On the acoustic backscattering by Baltic herring and sprat
PublicationAccurate abundance estimate of Baltic clupeids, herring and sprat, is required for theirsustainable exploitation. The understanding the sound backscattering of individual fish isimportant for employing the acoustical techniques, which are widely used in the estimation.The previous studies demonstrated that the improvement of the understanding is critical forthe Baltic herring and sprat. It was the main...
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Programmed metalloporphyrins for self-assembly within light-harvesting stacks: 5,15-dicyano-10,20-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-porphyrinato zinc(II) and its push-pull 15-N,N-dialkylamino-5-cyano congeners obtained by a facile direct amination.
PublicationThe title dicyano compound was synthesized via cyanation and it self-assembles in nonpolar solvents giving red-shifted and broad absorption maxima just as the bacteriochlorophylls which are encountered in the light-harvesting organelles of early photosynthetic bacteria. In the crystal, stacks are formed through a hierarchic combination of π-stacking and a CNZn electrostatic interaction. Push−pull 15-N,N-dialkylamino-5-cyano congeners...
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Electrochemical behavior of a composite material containing 3D-structured diatom biosilica
Publication3D-structured diatom biosilica mixed with conducting carbon black was investigated as an active electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. Diatom biosilica was obtained by cultivation of the selected diatom species under laboratory conditions. Several instrumental techniques (XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM-EDX, TGA) were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of applied biosilica. It was evidenced that the prepared new composite...
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5-Bromo-2′-deoxycytidine—a potential DNA photosensitizer
PublicationA double-stranded oligonucleotide, 80 base pairs in length, was multiply labeled with 5-bromo-2′-deoxycytidine (BrdC) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The modified oligonucleotide was irradiated with 300 nm photons and its damage was assayed by employing DHPLC, LC-MS and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Two types of damage were demonstrated, namely, single strand breaks (SSBs) and intrastrand cross-links...
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Carnivorous plants used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
PublicationIn this study, we exploit the anti-oxidative potential of four carnivorous plants to produce uniform and biologically active silver nanoparticles. The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone promoted syn-thesis of quasi-spherical nanoparticles characterized by stability and high uniformity. Their activity was tested against three human pathogens and three species of plant pathogenic bacteria. The study demonstrates the influence of synthesis...
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Aminy w środowisku - niebezpieczeństwo czy jego naturalny element?
PublicationA lot of amines and their compounds are used in the industry. First of all they are used for the preparation of medicines, plant protection agents, fertilizers and plastics. Amines are also released into the environment as a result of natural biological processes such as the release of certain species of flowers to lure insects, and also biochemical breakdown of amino acids in the protein during decomposition of organic matter. Unfortunately,...
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Taguchi sensors under temperature modulation
PublicationSemiconductor gas sensors are widely used in gas- analyzing applications for various gas species determination due to their low cost and possibility to detect number of different gases. However, one of the main problems with such sensors is their lack of selectivity. To overcome this issue different ap- proaches can be used. One of them is the operation with sensor temperature modulation combined with dedicated data process- ing...
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Superimposed ice as nutrient storage
PublicationNutrient cycling in the glacial environment is known from the perspective of meltwater release and snowpack elution processes, but the superimposed ice temporary storage remains poorly understood. In this study, the enrichment of superimposed ice in nutrient ions: nitrite, nitrate and ammonium was studied in more detail. The release of these ions from superimposed ice into a supraglacial stream was considered also, additionally...
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Fabrication and photoactivity of organic-inorganic systems based on titania nanotubes and PEDOT containing redox centres formed by different Prussian Blue analogues
PublicationHerein, the heterojunction composed of an inorganic substrate: ordered hydrogenated titania nanotubes (H-TiO2NTs) and a deposited organic film: poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is reported. The conducting polymer is modified with different transition metal haxacyanoferrates (Mehcf), wherein as metal: copper, iron, cobalt and nickel are introduced. The presence of various metal centres provides characteristic redox activity...
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Adaptation of Architectural Heritage in the Era of Climate Change. Torpedo Platform in Babie Doły
PublicationThe paper provides original insight into the problem of adap¬tation of historical objects in the era of climate change. It conveys a message that in times of climate crisis, there is a need to go beyond an anthropocentric perspective, specifically, that architec¬ture should not only be designed for people, but should also provide a framework for nature. As well as shaping spaces for human beings, the architect is also responsible...
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High performance ozone nanobubbles based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for degradation of organic pollutants under high pollutant loading
PublicationAdvanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have proven to be an effective solution for chemical wastewater treatment, particularly for degradation of organic pollutants, especially dyes. Ozonation is recognized as one of the most prevalent AOPs. Nevertheless, some cases show a lowered efficiency of O3 utilization which is attributed to its inadequate distribution in the treated water causing low residence time, low mass transfer coefficient...
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Impact of inorganic ions and pH variations on toxicity and endocrine potential of selected environmentally relevant pharmaceuticals
PublicationAssessment of the impact of pharmaceutical residues on living organisms is a very complex subject. Apart from taking into account the toxicity of individual compounds, environmental factors should also be taken into account. In this paper, attempts were made to assess the impact of coexisting inorganic ions and changes in pH on the toxicity of ten selected pharmaceuticals. Two bioassays were used to measure the estrogenic and androgenic...
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Journey towards light – evolutionary adaptations of humans, flora and fauna. Guidelines for safe and healthy illumination
PublicationThe paper examines using relatively recent discoveries on how evolution has embedded within all living organisms a natural sensitivity towards their native environment, in particular luminance levels and specific wavelengths of light. The studies conducted so far indicate that lighting installations that are visible after dark impact on humans, flora and fauna and influence our evolutionary dispositions, possibly with negative...
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Nowe stanowiska, rozmieszczenie i ochrona buławnika czerwonego Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich. (Orchidaceae) w Puszczy Augustowskiej (NE Polska)
PublicationCephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich. is a species under strict protection, very rare in the Suwałki region. In recent years, two sites were discovered in the Wigry National Park. The article presents a description of new localities and the distribution of the red helleborine in the Augustów Primeval Forest.
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Knowledge Transfer Platform FindFISH – Numerical Forecasting System for the Marine Environment of the Gulf of Gdańsk for Fisheries
PublicationFast access to expert knowledge is very valuable, especially in the context of decision-making. Fishermen can use this knowledge to diagnose hydrological and hydrochemical conditions in which fish stocks should be the most abundant. In response to this need, a digital service has been developed. It is a service created within the FindFISH project, which pro- vides the results of all developed models: hydrodynamic, biochemical,...
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Neutral pH, multioxidants Fenton oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide and acetamidophenol as water pollutant models
PublicationOrganic water pollution is calling for advanced remediation methods such as the Fenton process, yet actual procedures involve transition metals at acidic pH, and generate only one oxidant, the hydroxyl radical. Here we used a solution of magnesium ions, bicarbonate ions, and hydrogen peroxide at pH 7.4 to generate reactive oxygen species for degrading dimethyl sulfoxide and acetamidophenol, as models of water pollutants. The performance...
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Influence of steam drying process on wood mechanical properties
PublicationResults of influence of gas-steam mixture drying process on mechanical properties of material are presented. Wood species, namely oak (Quercus L.), beech (Fagus L.), pine (Pinus L.) and spruce (Picea K.) from the northern part of Pomerania region in Poland, were subject of air-steam mixture drying process in a laboratory kiln especially arranged for that reason. Measurements of the global coefficient of elasticity and bending strength...
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Chromogenic amides of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid as anion receptors
PublicationThe synthesis of simple, chromogenic pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid amides, derivates of isomeric nitroanilines and aminonitrophenols, and their ion binding properties are described. The ligands' response to ionic species was examined by naked eye and was studied with the use of UV-Vis spectroscopy in DMSO and its mixture with water. The effect of the localisation and the type of the substituents in aromatic rings were discussed....
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Determination of isoprostanes in exhaled breath condensate samples by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
PublicationOxidative stress (OS) is a state of imbalance between continuously generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) during normal cell metabolism and mechanism of detoxifying oxygen radicals through a network of antioxidative enzymes. Isoprostanes are prostaglandin -like substances that are produced in vivo primarily by free radical-induced peroxidation of arachidonic acid. The measurement of isoprostanes in biological fluids and/or tissue...
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White cabbage in the biofumigation process- expectations and perspectives
PublicationHealth risks related to common use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers raised the interest in alteranative methods of crop protection, among them biofumigation is becoming the most promising. In this process certain natural compounds, mainly degradation products of glucosinolates produced by Brassica species are used to combat pests and microorganisms attacking crops. Increased synthesis of these bioactive compounds can be...
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Highly linear self-assembled porphyrin wires
PublicationAn efficient noncovalent assembly process involving high geometrical control was applied to a linear bis(imidazolyl zinc porphyrin) 7Zn, bearing C18 substitutents, to generate linear multiporphyrin wires. The association process is based on imidazole recognition within the cavity of the phenanthroline-strapped zinc porphyrin. In chlorinated solvents, discrete soluble oligomers were obtained after (7Zn)n was end-capped with a terminal...
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Analysis of volatile fraction of sweetie (Citrus maxima × Citrus paradisi) and its parent fruit using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry
PublicationThe quality of the fruit is affected by several main ingredients and the aroma plays a fundamental role during the selection of fruit by consumers. In the case where several fruit have similar aromas and only one of them has specific health properties, it is very important to find the differences in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) composition to distinguish these samples. Such situations are often found for hybrid fruit....
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Advances in mass spectrometry for iron speciation in plants
PublicationIron is an important nutrient essential for plants and critical for human health. The state-of-the art of methods for iron speciation in cereal grains and plant fluids is critically reviewed. Particular attention is given to the latest developments in the coupling of HPLC with the parallel ICP MS and electrospray ionization (ESI) MS/MS detection, usually QTOF MS or Q-Orbitrap MS, for the identification and quantification of iron...
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Electron interactions with Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) titanium(IV) dichloride and difluoride
PublicationWe present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the interaction of electrons with Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) dichloride (Cp∗2TiCl2) and difluoride (Cp∗2TiF2). We report the experimental measurements of partial cross sections for the dissociative electron attachment (DEA) and the electron ionization (EI) mass spectra of isolated molecules. Estimates of the absolute cross sections are done on the basis...
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Comparative testing of numerical models of river ice jams
PublicationIce processes in general, and ice jams in particular, play a dominant role in the hydrologic regime of Canadian rivers, often causing extreme floods and affecting the life cycle of many aquatic, terrestrial, and avian species. Various numerical models have been developed to help simulate the formation and consequences of these very dynamic and often destructive jam events. To test and compare the performance of existing models,...
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Combined chemoresistive and in situ FTIR spectroscopy study of nanoporous NiO films for light-activated nitrogen dioxide and acetone gas sensing
PublicationThe chemoresistive sensor response of nanoporous NiO films prepared by advanced gas deposition was investigated by combined resistivity and in situ FTIR spectroscopy, with and without simultaneous light illumination, to detect NO2 and acetone gases. The sensitivity towards NO2 increased dramatically under UV irradiation employing 275 nm light. Improved sensitivity was observed at an elevated temperature of 150 °C. In situ FTIR...
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Sulfate reducing ammonium oxidation (SULFAMMOX) process under anaerobic conditions
PublicationSulfate (SO42-) can be an electron acceptor for ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) oxidation under anaerobic conditions. The process is known as sulfammox and can be a viable alternative to conventional, nitrite (NO2-) dependent, anammox. Two bacterial species, including Bacillus Benzoevorans and Brocadia Anammoxoglobus Sulfate, can perform that process. With sulfammox, an economically inefficient pre-nitration step (due to aeration) is...
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Virulence of Clinical Candida Isolates
PublicationThe factors enablingCandidaspp. infections are secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, adher-ence to surfaces, biofilm formation or morphological transition, and fitness attributes. The aim of thisstudy was to investigate the correlation between known extracellular virulence factors and survivalofGalleria mellonellalarvae infected with clinicalCandida. The 25 isolates were tested and the activityof proteinases among 24/24, phospholipases...
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Redox property switching in MOFs with open metal sites for improved catalytic hydrogenation performance
PublicationIn this study, a decompression-thermalization strategy was utilized for a Cu-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) to tune its redox and catalytic hydrogenation properties. Remarkably, at just 120 °C, open metal sites (OMSs) were successfully constructed by removing coordinated solvent molecules to generate the daughter MOF-120. The tailored redox property of MOF-120 is correlated with the presence of OMSs. Compared with the...
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A method for a comprehensive lipidomic analysis of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) with the use of LC–Q-TOF-MS and dispersive micro-solid-phase (μDSPE) extraction
PublicationFlaxseed (FS) is one of the richest sources of α-linolenic acid oil and lignans, and it is suggested that the consumption of flaxseed may contribute to the prevention of certain chronic diseases such as many types of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular stroke. Here, we demonstrate a new method for comprehensive FS lipidome profiling with the use of LC–Q-TOF-MS and dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction....
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Is sequential batch reactor an efficient technology to protect recipient against non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol in treated wastewater?
PublicationThe tested facility was a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Swarzewo, where the wastewater treatment takes place in aeration chambers with activated sludge using sequential batch reactors (SBRs). The concentration of the following pharmaceuticals: ibuprofen, paracetamol, flurbiprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and its metabolites 5OH-diclofenac and 4OH-diclofenac was tested in influents and effluents. Simultaneously, the conventional...
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Evaluation of Immobilization of Selected Peat-Isolated Yeast Strains of the Species Candida albicans and Candida subhashii on the Surface of Artificial Support Materials Used for Biotrickling Filtration
PublicationThe paper describes the process of n-butanol abatement by unicellular fungi, able to deplete n-butanol content in gas, by using n-butanol as source of carbon. Isolated and identified fungi species Candida albicans and Candida subhashii were subjected to a viability process via assimilation of carbon from hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds. The isolates, which exhibited the ability to assimilate carbon, were immobilized on four...
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The comparison of betalain composition and chosen biological activities for differently pigmented prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris) varieties
PublicationBetalains are a group of plant originated pigments with chemopreventive potential. The aim of this study was to relate the composition of betalains and chosen biological activities (antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-genotoxic and influence on enzymatic activities) for extracts from differently pigmented varieties of prickly pear (yellow, orange and red) and beetroot (white and red). The assumption was that phytocomplexes of tested varieties...
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Degradation of 1,4-dioxane by sono-activated persulfates for water and wastewater treatment applications
PublicationThis paper presents a hybrid advanced oxidation process (AOP) based on sonocavitational activation of persulfate (PS) for degradation of 1,4-dioxane during wastewater treatment. Application of sono-cavitation effectively convert PS to radical species demonstrating synergistic effect by increasing the reaction rate and reducing the required energy for activation. It is economically feasible and deployed alternative to the direct...
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Anthra[1,2-d][1,2,3]triazine-4,7,12(3H)-triones as a New Class of Antistaphylococcal Agents: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
PublicationThe development and spread of resistance of human pathogenic bacteria to the action of commonly used antibacterial drugs is one of the key problems in modern medicine. One of the especially dangerous and easily developing antibiotic resistant bacterial species is Staphylococcus aureus. Anthra[1,2-d][1,2,3]triazine-4,7,12(3H)-triones 22–38 have been developed as novel effective antistaphylococcal agents. These compounds have been...
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Seasonal changes of mercury speciation in the coastal sediments
PublicationPurpose Mercury speciation in sediments is linked to environmental conditions and processes. Domination of particular mercury species depends on its source, displays considerable seasonal behavior, and may be further modified due to oxygen levels, icing conditions, or the input of fresh organic matter. The purpose of this study was to examine the coastal area of the Gulf of Gdańsk in terms of mercury contamination and the influence...
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Virulence, antifungal susceptibility and molecular mechanisms of echinocandin resistance among Candida isolates recovered from clinical specimens
PublicationFungi of the genus Candida belong to the natural microflora of healthy individuals. However, they can also be a cause of opportunistic infections especially among patients with an impaired immune system. The first line therapy of Candida infections is based on triazoles. However, in recent years there an increase of azole resistant Candida spp., in particular C. glabrata and C. krusei, has been observed. For this reason, echinocandin...
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Local structural and chemical ordering of nanosized Pt(3±δ)Co probed by multiple-scattering x-ray absorption spectroscopy
PublicationThis work reports a detailed investigation of the local structure and chemical disorder of a Pt(3±δ)Co thin film and Pt(3±δ)Co nanoparticles. We have used a combination of techniques including x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The important effect of chemical ordering on pair and three-atom configurations has been studied using computer simulations...
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Synthesis and electrochemical characteristics of novel dithiocarbamate polymers
PublicationNovel dithiocarbamate compounds have been obtained by reacting a linear poly(ethylenimine)polymer, MW 50,000, with CS2. The resulting anionic polymers contain, depending on the reaction conditions, up to two sulfur atoms per one nitrogen atom (approx. 40% w/w). The polymers are soluble in dimethylsulfoxide and insoluble in acetonitrile solutions. In both solvents they are electrochemically active, in the latter case as a cast film...
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The influence of global climate change on the environmental fate of anthropogenic pollution released from the permafrost
PublicationThis article presents a review of information related to the influence of potential permafrost degradation on the environmental fate of chemical species which are relased and stored, classified as potential influence in future Antarctic environment. Considering all data regarding climate change prediction, this topic may prove important issue for the future state of the Antarctic environment. A detailed survey on soil and permafrost...
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Photophysics of Soret-Excited Tin(IV) Porphyrins in Solution
PublicationThe photophysics of low-chlorin tin(IV) tetraphenylporphyrin dihydroxide, a core building block for axially substituted supramolecular tin porphyrin constructs, has been studied in a variety of hydrogen-bonding, nonpolar, and aprotic polar solvents using steady-state, nanosecond, and femtosecond time-resolved emission, and femtosecond time-resolved absorption methods. In hydrogen-bonding solvents the metalloporphyrin exists as...
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Cold-Active beta-Galactosidases: Sources, Biochemical Properties and Their Biotechnological Potential
Publicationbeta-D-Galactosidases have been studied extensively in terms of their application to a variety of industrial technologies. To date, considerable research efforts have been devoted to characterization of new cold-active beta-D-galactosidases which were isolated directly from selected species of bacteria and yeasts, as well as with the use of metagenomic approaches. This chapter will provide a review of current research towards cold-active...
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The Antibacterial and Antifungal Textile Properties Functionalized by Bimetallic Nanoparticles of Ag/Cu with Different Structures
PublicationWe reported a preparation and characterization of five kinds of impregnation solutions, containing Ag/Cu in the formof bimetallic nanoparticles (alloy and core-shell) as well as ionic species. The cotton-polyester textiles were successfully impregnated during the washing and ironing process by as-prepared solutions to have antibacterial and antifungal properties against to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans....