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Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) Fiber Extraction and Characterization for Its Use in Polymer Composites
PublicationThis work describes an extraction method for giant reed fibers from stems and leaves based on chemical soaking and crushing through a rolling mill. Obtained fibers, together with the shredded plant (stems + leaves), are characterized in terms of chemical composition, thermal stability, morphology, and crystallinity. Mechanical properties of fibers have also been assessed (single fiber tensile tests). The results show that the proposed...
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Simulation of fluid structure interaction in a novel design of high pressure axial piston hydraulic pump
PublicationA novel type of an axial, piston-driven high pressure hydraulic pump with variable capacity marks a significant improvement in the area of the hydraulic machinery design. Total discharge from hydrostatic forces eliminates a need for a servomechanism, thus simplifying operation, reducing weight and introducing the possibility of the pump displacement control by computer. PWK-type pumps, invented in the Gdansk University of Technology,...
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INFLUENCE OF CERAMIC COATING ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STAINLESS STEEL
PublicationCrystal structure and phase composition of stainless steel substrates (AISI 304 type) was studied and it was found that they adopted the cubic symmetry. The calculated elementary cell parameter for the mayor Fe-Ni phase (weight fraction 99%) was a = 3.593 Å, whereas the mean grain size was = 2932 Å. Morphology of the stainless steel substrate surface was studied with profilometry. Mechanical properties of the stainless steel...
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Degradable poly(ester-ether) urethanes of improved surface calcium deposition developed as novel biomaterials
PublicationBones, which are considered as hard tissues, work as scaffold for human body. They provide physical support for muscles and protect intestinal organs. Percentage of hard tissues in human body depends on age, weight, and gender. Human skeleton consists of 206 connected bones. Therefore, it is natural that the hard-tissue damage such as fractures, osteoporosis, and congenital lack of bone may appear. The innovative way of bone healing...
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Predicting Performance of Lightweight Concrete with Granulated Expanded Glass and Ash Aggregate by Means of Using Artificial Neural Networks
PublicationLightweight concrete (LWC) is a group of cement composites of the defined physical, mechanical, and chemical performance. The methods of designing the composition of LWC with the assumed density and compressive strength are used most commonly. The purpose of using LWC is the reduction of the structure’s weight, as well as the reduction of thermal conductivity index. The highest possible strength, durability and low thermal conductivity...
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Yerba Mate - A Long but Current History
PublicationBearing in mind the growing interest in Yerba Mate, a comprehensive study has been prepared containing the most important aspects and possibilities of its use. The introduction of the work contains the species characteristics of Yerba Mate, as well as information about the origin and places of cultivation. The next part focuses on the analysis of the composition, pointing to purine alkaloids, polyphenols, saponins, and minerals...
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Time Synchronization between the eNBs in E-UTRAN under the Asymmetric IP Network
PublicationIn this paper, we present a method for a time synchronization between the two eNodeBs (eNBs) in E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) network. The...
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An attempt to mechanistically explain the viscoelastic behavior of transparent epoxy/starch-modified ZnO nanocomposite coatings
PublicationThe effects of bare and starch-modified ZnO (ZnO-St) nanoparticles on viscoelastic and mechanical properties are studied by dynamic mechanical and tensile analyses. Transparent epoxy-based nanocomposite films are prepared by incorporating bare or starch-modified ZnO particles into the epoxy matrix. The results demonstrated that ZnO particles hindered the curing reactions and hence the final properties of the cured epoxy. As a result,...
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The comparison of SrTi0.98Nb0.02O3–δ-CeO2 and SrTi0.98Nb0.02O3–δ-YSZ composites for use in SOFC anodes
PublicationComposites of Nb-doped strontium titanate mixed with yttria-stabilized zirconia or cerium oxide in 50:50, 70:30 and 85:15 weight ratios were evaluated as possible anode/electrolyte interface materials for solid oxide fuel cells in terms of chemical compatibility, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. It has been shown that composite samples prepared by typical powder-mixing methods remain single-phase up to 1400°C....
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Curing epoxy resin with anhydride in the presence of halloysite nanotubes: the contradictory effects of filler concentration
PublicationEpoxy resins can be cured with a wide variety of curing agents such as amines and anhydrides, but anhydride curing would be more favorable for research purpose because of epoxy-anhydride curing taking place slowly at room temperature. Incorporation of natural nanosized minerals into epoxy is of environmental importance. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) display chemical properties similar to those of silica and alumina, and hydroxyl...
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Characterization of fatty acid composition in Eurasian badger (Meles meles)
PublicationPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs, LA and ALA) are not synthesized in mammals in the absence of their essential fatty acid precursors. However, hibernating animals and animals sleeping through the winter need sufficiently high amounts of these acids. The Eurasian badger does not hibernate, but sleeps over winter. In the autumn the body weight of adult badgers increases even twofold, since they put on fat before the winter. Fat...
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Innovative Gathering and Energy Management System Integrated within PV Module
PublicationThe dynamic development of battery technology and design based on the flow of lithium ions, mainly driven by the needs of the automotive industry leads to the Conclusion That they are becoming a more viable alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries. Their use is driven by the ability it quickly charge and discharge times higher durability, maintenance-free operation and much smaller dimensions as well as weight. The emergence...
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Diagnosis of damages in family buildings using neural networks
PublicationThe article concerns a problem of damages in family buildings, which result from traffic-induced vibrations. These vibrations arise from various causes and their size is influenced by many factors. The most important is the type of a road, type and weight of vehicles that run on the road, type and condition of the road surface, the distance from the house to the source of vibrations and many others which should be taken into account....
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The influence of core material on strength properties of hybrid sandwich panels
PublicationAlong with high prices of fuels and more restrictive safety and environmental regulations (including environment protection) increased interest in sandwich structures is being observed. One of the solution having growing application potential is steel sandwich panel. The construction consist of very thin steel plates (about 2mm) and stiffeners between them. The main advantage of using such solution is very high strength to weight...
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Influence of selected submicron inorganic particles on mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester/glass composites
PublicationIn this paper, the influence of different submicron-scaled particles (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or silica) on mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester matrix composites reinforced with glass fabric was investigated. Surface morphology of obtained composites was also examined. At first inorganic particles were mechanically dispersed into unsaturated polyester resin system as per the calculated weight...
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Novel, Fully Biobased Semicrystalline Polyamides
PublicationNovel, semicrystalline polyamides and co(polyamides) were synthesized from biobased sebacic acid (SA), 2,5-diamino-2,5-dideoxy-1,4;3,6-dianhydroiditol (diaminoisoidide, DAII) as well as from 1,4-diaminobutane (DAB), also known as putrescine in nature. Low molecular weight polyamides were obtained by melt polycondensation of the salts based on these monomers or by interfacial polycondensation. In order to increase their molecular...
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A Comparison of Empirical Correlations of Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity of Water-Ethylene Glycol-Al2O3 Nanofluids
PublicationBecause of their superb thermal conductivity, nanofluids are seen as new generation of cooling mediums in many engineering applications. It is well established that even a small amount of nanoparticles mixed with a base fluid may result in distinct thermal conductivity enhancement. On the other hand, addition of nanoparticles to the base fluid results in its substantial viscosity increase. Therefore, it is very dicult to evaluate...
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Deformation and Surface Color Changes of Beech and Oak Wood Lamellas Resulting from the Drying Process
PublicationThe drying process was examined relative to parameters’ influence on the deformation and surface layer color changes of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak wood (Quercus robur L.). The goal was to analyze the impact of drying process conditions, wood and growth rings types, and load on the deformation and surface color changes of drying thin wooden elements. A further aim was to reduce the time of the lamella drying and minimize...
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Optical fiber aptasensor for label-free bacteria detection in small volumes
PublicationHighly sensitive devices for fast bacteria detection are sought to be developed with the task of quantifying the worldwide problem of pathogenic bacteria and thus helping to take control over spreading bacterial infections. This work concerns a sensing solution based on microcavity in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer (μIMZI) induced in an optical fiber. Such a device exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity to refractive index changes...
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A Tutorial on AGREEprep an Analytical Greenness Metric for Sample Preparation
PublicationSample preparation is a key step in the analytical procedure and a critical component for achieving analytical greenness. AGREEprep is the first metric intended for evaluating the environmental impact of sample preparation methods. The approach consists of ten steps of assessment that correspond to the ten principles of green sample preparation and uses a user-friendly open-source software to calculate and visualize the results....
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Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Insulation Properties of Lightweight Concrete
PublicationPredicting the properties of concrete before its design and application process allows for refining and optimizing its composition. However, the properties of lightweight concrete are much harder to predict than those of normal weight concrete, especially if the forecast concerns the insulating properties of concrete with artificial lightweight aggregate (LWA). It is possible to use porous aggregates and precisely modify the composition...
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Analysis of the Factors Affecting Static In Vitro Pepsinolysis of Food Proteins
PublicationIn this meta-analysis, we collected 58 publications spanning the last seven decades that reported static in vitro protein gastric digestion results. A number of descriptors of the pepsinolysis process were extracted, including protein type; pepsin activity and concentration; protein concentration; pH; additives; protein form (e.g., ‘native’, ‘emulsion’, ‘gel’, etc.); molecular weight of the protein; treatment; temperature; and...
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Injectable poloxamer/graphene oxide hydrogels with well‐controlled mechanical and rheological properties
PublicationAlthough significant progress has been made in the design and application of injectable hydrogels for biomedical applications, concurrent control of rheological and mechanical properties of injectable hydrogels has remained as an open challenge to the researchers. In this work, we introduce and put into practice a photo‐curable poloxamer (also known as Pluronic)/graphene oxide (Plu/GO) injectable hydrogel with well‐controlled rheological...
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Smart Weighing Scale with Feet-Sampled ECG
PublicationIn a smart home, health and well-being monitoring systems could be embedded in everyday devices providing a pervasive care. A home bathroom scale is an example of such a device, typically used to measure body weight and very often its composition (e.g. body water/fat percentage). In this paper, we analyzed a potential use of the bathroom scale to measure electrocardiogram (ECG) from electrodes located on the scale's tile. In particular...
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Investigation of the Combustion Processes in the Gas Turbine Module of an FPSO Operating on Associated Gas Conversion Products
PublicationIn this paper, we consider the issue of thermo-chemical heat recovery of waste heat from gas turbine engines for the steam conversion of associated gas for offshore vessels. Current trends in the development of offshore infrastructure are identified, and the composition of power plants for mobile offshore drilling units and FPSO vessels is analyzed. We present the results of a comparison of power-to-volume ratio, power-to-weight...
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Structure and performance properties of environmentally-friendly biocomposites based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) modified with copper slag and shale drill cuttings wastes
PublicationThe potential application of two types of industrial wastes, drill cuttings (DC) and copper slag (CS), as silica-rich modifiers of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) was investigated. Chemical structure and physical properties of DC and CS fillers were characterized using X-ray diffractometer, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, particle size and density measurements. PCL/DC and PCL/CS composites with a variable content of filler (5 to 50...
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Curing behavior of epoxy/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites: A comparison between the effects of bare Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /chitosan and Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /chitosan/imide/phenylalanine-modified nanofillers
PublicationIn this study, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized (B-MNP) and then modified with SiO2 to form Fe3O4/SiO2 core/shell MNPs. The Fe3O4/SiO2 MNPs were chemically functionalized with chitosan so as to gain Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan (CH-MNP). The CH-MNP was functionalized with a macromolecule containing imide and phenylalanine precursors to gain Fe3O4/SiO2/Chitosan/imide/phenylalanine based MNPs (CH-IM-MNP). The differences...
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A novel cold-active β-D-galactosidase with transglycosylation activity from the Antarctic Arthrobacter sp. 32cB - gene cloning, purification and characterization
PublicationA gene encoding a novel β-D-galactosidase from the psychrotolerant Antarctic bacterium Arthrobacter sp. 32cB was isolated, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The active form of recombinant β-D-galactosidase consists of two subunits with a combined molecular weight of approximately 257 kDa. The enzyme's maximum activity towards o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside was determined as occurring at 28 °C and pH 8.0. However, it...
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How does environmental regulation affect the city's domestic value-added rate of export? New spatial evidence from Chinese cities
PublicationProtecting the environment and increasing the domestic value-added rate of exports (DVARE) are hot issues for high-quality economic development. This paper explores how environmental regulation affects the DVARE. This paper constructs a dynamic spatial econometric model using the data of 285 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2020. It empirically tests the impact of environmental regulation on the DVARE. The research results show that...
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Design of a Shape-Memory-Alloy-Based Carangiform Robotic Fishtail with Improved Forward Thrust
PublicationShape memory alloys (SMAs) have become the most common choice for the development of mini- and micro-type soft bio-inspired robots due to their high power-to-weight ratio, ability to be installed and operated in limited space, silent and vibration-free operation, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance properties. Moreover, SMA spring-type actuators are used for developing different continuum robots, exhibiting high degrees...
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Semicrystalline Polyesters Based on a Novel Renewable Building Block
PublicationIsohexides, like e.g. isosorbide, are well-known carbohydrate-based rigid diols which are capable of dramatically increasing the glass transition temperature of polyesters. However, their relatively low reactivity has thus far hampered large-scale industrial applications in the polymer field. Recently, with the aim to increase reactivity while at the same time retain rigidity, we have developed a new isoidide dicarboxylic acid...
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Novel Biomass-Based Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application
PublicationA wide range of polymers were prepared from biomass-derivatives, using different polymerization mechanisms. Well-defined, fully hydroxy-functional polyesters based on aliphatic diols were synthesized, using either conventional metal-based catalysts or the organic superbase 1,5,7-triazabicyclododecene (TBD). Unsaturated polyesters were also made, offering additional functionality to these biobased resins. Metal-catalyzed or enzymatic...
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Influence of the Addition of Recycled Aggregates and Polymer Fibers on the Properties of Pervious Concrete
PublicationThe aim of the study was to check the possibility of reusing aggregate from recycled concrete waste and rubber granules from car tires as partial substitution of natural aggregate. The main objective was to investigate the effects of recycled waste aggregate modified with polymer fibers on the compressive and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and permeability of pervious concrete. Fibers with a multifilament structure and...
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Peripheral industrial NUTS 3 sub-regions in the European Union – identification and typology
PublicationA common phenomenon of development is the big difference in its levels, especially between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Non-metropolitan areas are also very different. In some of them, industry plays a big role. European Union’s NUTS 3 non-metropolitan low developed sub-regions, whose gross domestic product per capita in 2011 was below 75% of the EU average, were the subject of research. It is based on the data and...
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The experimental identification of the dynamic coefficients of two hydrodynamic journal bearings operating at constant rotational speed and under nonlinear conditions.
PublicationHydrodynamic bearings are commonly used in ship propulsion systems. Typically, they are calculated using numerical or experimental methods. This paper presents an experimental study through which it has been possible to estimate 24 dynamic coefficients of two hydrodynamic slide bearings operating under nonlinear conditions. During the investigation, bearing mass coefficients are identified by means of a newly developed algorithm....
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Study on some of the strength properties of soft clay stabilized with plastic waste strips
PublicationIt is well known that if plastic wastes are not well managed, it has a negative impact on the environment as well as on human health. In this study, recycling plastic waste in form of strips for stabilizing weak subgrade soil is proposed. For this purpose, a weak clay soil sample was mixed with 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% of plastic strips by weight of soil, and the experimental results were compared to the control soil sample with 0%...
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A New Approach to Assess Quality of Motion in Functional Task of Upper Limb in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Publication(1) Background: This study presents a new method for the motion quantitative analysis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients (DMD) performing functional tasks in clinical conditions. (2) Methods: An experimental study was designed to define how different levels of external mass (light and heavy) influence the performance of the upper limbs of a tested DMD and reference subject (RS) during horizontal movements (level of the waist)...
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Evaluation of mercury content in combustible tobacco products by employing cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy and considering the moisture content: a comprehensive study
PublicationPlants are mainly made up of water, which constitutes between 80 and 90% of their weight. Moisture factor comes across as one of the most important in tobacco products. Rapid determination of moisture content in tobacco products comes at neces- sity in any tobacco management plants (before and after production). Therefore, the concern has been raised in this study to evaluate the moisture content in four kinds of combustible tobacco...
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The Quantum Efficiency Roll-Off Effect in Near-Infrared Organic Electroluminescent Devices with Iridium Complexes Emitters
PublicationThe electroluminescence quantum efficiency roll-off in iridium(III)-based complexes, namely Ir(iqbt)2(dpm) and Ir(iqbt)3(iqbt=1 (benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-isoquinolinate, dpm=2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) utilized as near-infrared emitters in organic light emitting diodes with remarkable external quantum efficiencies, up to circa 3%, 1.5% and 1%, are measured and analyzed. With a 5–6 weight % of emitters embedded...
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Curing epoxy with electrochemically synthesized Zn Fe3-O4 magnetic nanoparticles
PublicationCathodic electrodeposition (CED) was applied in synthesis of undoped and zinc (Zn) doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Changes in the lattice structure of nanoparticles were monitored using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) supported by dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Detailed analyses explored the formation of ZnxFe3–xO4 nanoparticles with x ≈ 0.1,...
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Double layer adhesive silicone dressing as a potential dermal drug delivery film in scar treatment
PublicationThe present studies focused on the evaluation of design of an adhesive silicone film intended for scar treatment. Developed silicone double layer film was examined in terms of its future relevance to therapy and applicability on the human skin considering properties which included in vitro permeability of water vapor and oxygen. In order to adapt the patches for medical use in the future there were tested such properties as...
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Single-phase product obtained via crude glycerine depolymerisation of polyurethane elastomer: structure characterisation and rheological behaviour
PublicationPolyurethane recycling is a topic of growing interest due to the increasing amount of polyurethanewaste. The main purpose of polyurethane feedstock recycling is to recover the starting polyol, a valuable material. In thiswork, amethod of polyurethane thermo-chemical recycling, glycerolysisbymeansof crude glycerine, is proposed. Themaineffort is focusedonthe employment of crude glycerine without purification from biodiesel production...
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Pool boiling of nanofluids on rough and porous coated tubes: experimental and correlation
PublicationThe paper deals with pool boiling of water-Al2O3 and water- Cu nanofluids on rough and porous coated horizontal tubes. Commercially available stainless steel tubes having 10 mm outside diameter and 0.6 mm wall thickness were used to fabricate the test heater. The tube surface was roughed with emery paper 360 or polished with abrasive compound. Aluminium porous coatings of 0.15 mm thick with porosity of about 40% were produced by...
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Image Classification Based on Video Segments
PublicationIn the dissertation a new method for improving the quality of classifications of images in video streams has been proposed and analyzed. In multiple fields concerning such a classification, the proposed algorithms focus on the analysis of single frames. This class of algorithms has been named OFA (One Frame Analyzed).In the dissertation, small segments of the video are considered and each image is analyzed in the context of its...
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ON THE NON-LOCALITY OF TRIPARTITE NON-SINGALING BOXES EMERGING FROM WIRINGS
PublicationIt has been recently shown, that some of the tripartite boxes admittin g bilocal decom- position, lead to non-locality under wiring operation applied to t wo of the subsystems [R. Gallego et al. Physical Review Letters 109 , 070401 (2012)]. In the following, we study this phenomenon quantitatively. Basing on the known classes of bo xes closed un- der wirings, we introduce multipartite monotones which are count erparts of bipartite ones...
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Effect of kenaf fibre modification on morphology and mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane materials
PublicationThe presented study examined the morphology and mechanical properties of biocomposites obtained from kenaf natural fibre and thermoplastic polyurethane. Kenaf was modified using various methods, namely: acetylation, blocked isocyanate, maleic anhydride and permanganate treatment. Those methods and ways of carrying out of surface modifications were not studied before on kenaf/thermoplastic polyurethane composites. Different fibre...
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Sustainable Chemically Modified Mater-Bi/Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Cellulose Biocomposites: Looking at the Bulk through the Surface
PublicationSustainable polymer composites are progressively under development in a technological paradigm shift from "just use more and more" to "convert into value-added products". The bio-based blends based on Mater-Bi bio-plastic (A) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (B), at a weight ratio of 70:30 (A:B) were developed, followed by the addition of UFC100 cellulose (C) filler to yield 70/30 (w/w) (A:B)/C sustainable biocomposites. The effects of...
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Investigation on polypropylene friction stir joint: effects of tool tilt angle on heat flux, material flow and defect formation
PublicationTool tilt angle (TTA) is a critical factor that can control material flow in polymeric materials' friction stir joining (FSJ). This study selected a TTA range between 0° to 4° for FSJ of polypropylene (PP) polymer sheet. A modified computational fluid dynamic (CFD) technique was implemented to gain a deep understanding of the effects of TTA during FSJ of PP. The PP joint's internal flow, defect formation, heat generation, and tensile...
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Microstructure and corrosion behaviour of carbon steel and ferritic and austenitic stainless steels in NaCl solutions and the effect of p-nitrophenyl phosphate disodium salt
PublicationThe microstructure and corrosion behavior of carbon steel (CSA516) and ferritic (SS410) and austenitic (SS304L) stainless steels were studied and compared. Corrosion tests were carried out in 0.5 M NaCl solutions. Rates of corrosion were monitored based on weight loss, Tafel extrapolation and linear polarization resistance (LPR) methods. Rates of corrosion were ranked following the order: CSA516 >> SS410 > SS304L. The impact of...
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Factors determining accumulation of bisphenol A and alkylphenols at a low trophic level as exemplified by mussels Mytilus trossulus
PublicationThe aim of the study was to investigate abiotic and biotic factors influencing the accumulation of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and 4- nonylphenol (NP) in mussels Mytilus trossulus from the Gulf of Gdansk (Southern Baltic). The key abiotic factor influencing BPA, OP and NP accumulation in mussels is their hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, which affects their main assimilation...