Search results for: accident prevention
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Comparison of hydrophilic interaction and reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of eight artificial sweeteners and common steviol glycosides in popular beverages
PublicationHydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to separate artificial and natural sweeteners approved for use in European Union (EU). Among three tested HILIC columns (BlueOrchid PAL-HILIC, Ascentis Express Si and Acclaim™ Trinity™ P2) the last one was selected for the development of HILIC method due to the best results obtained with it. Early eluting and coeluting compounds...
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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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Modal Analysis of a Steel Radial Gate Exposed to Different Water Levels
PublicationWith the increase in water retention needs and planned river regulation, it might be important to investigate the dynamic resistance of vulnerable elements of hydroelectric power plants, including steel water locks. The most frequent dynamic loads affecting hydroengineering structures in Poland include vibrations caused by heavy road and railway traffic, piling works and mining tremors. More destructive dynamic loads, including...
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The coexistence and competition of canonical and comammox nitrite oxidizing bacteria in a nitrifying activated sludge system – Experimental observations and simulation studies
PublicationThe second step of nitrification can be mediated by nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB), i.e. Nitrospira and Nitrobacter, with different characteristics in terms of the r/K theory. In this study, an activated sludge model was developed to account for competition between two groups of canonical NOB and comammox bacteria. Heterotrophic denitrification on soluble microbial products was also incorporated into the model. Four 5-week washout...
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A facile strategy for reclaiming discarded graphite and harnessing the rate capabilities of graphite anodes
PublicationGraphite negative electrodes are unbeaten hitherto in lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) due to their unique chemical and physical properties. Thus, the increasing scarcity of graphite resources makes smart recycling or repurposing of discarded graphite particularly imperative. However, the current recycling techniques still need to be improved upon with urgency. Herein a facile and efficient hydrometallurgical process is reported to...
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Long-term operating conditions for different sorption materials to capture phosphate from domestic wastewater
PublicationThis paper presents the results of a study on the possibility of applying various configured filters filled with a mixture of Rockfos® and Leca® material for the effective capture of phosphate from domestic wastewater. The tests were carried out for two years at two wastewater flow rates (20 and 40 L/day) in three pairs of filtration columns with a volume of filter material equal to 20 liters each. Columns 1A and 1B were filled...
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Support Materials of Organic and Inorganic Origin as Platforms for Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilization: Comparison Study for High Stability and Activity Recovery
PublicationIn the presented study, a variety of hybrid and single nanomaterials of various origins were tested as novel platforms for horseradish peroxidase immobilization. A thorough characterization was performed to establish the suitability of the support materials for immobilization, as well as the activity and stability retention of the biocatalysts, which were analyzed and discussed. The physicochemical characterization of the obtained...
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Organic carbon fluxes of a glacier surface: a case study of Foxfonna, a small Arctic glacier
PublicationArctic glaciers are rapidly responding to global warming by releasing organic carbon (OC) to downstream ecosystems. The glacier surface is arguably the most biologically active and biodiverse glacial habitat and therefore the site of important OC transformation and storage, although rates and magnitudes are poorly constrained. In this paper, we present measurements of OC fluxes associated with atmospheric deposition, ice melt,...
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The use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of industrial wastewater
PublicationConstructed wetlands are characterized by specific conditions enabling simultaneous various physical and biochemical processes. This is the result of specific environment for the growth of microorganisms and hydro-phytes (aquatic and semiaquatic plants) which are capable of living in aerobic, anaerobic and facultative anaerobic conditions. Their interaction contributes to the intensification of oxidation and reduction responsible...
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Comparative Study of Balancing SRT by Using Modified ASM2d in Control and Operation Strategy at Full-Scale WWTP
PublicationDetailed knowledge on the composition of the influent going into the wastewater treatment system is essential for the development of a reliable computer model. In the context of WWTPs (wastewater treatment plants), the wastewater characteristics are not only important for activated sludge system modelling, but also have an impact on the appropriate control of single unit operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concepts...
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Potential of nanocomposites of zero valent copper and magnetite with Eleocharis dulcis biochar for packed column and batch scale removal of Congo red dye
PublicationThe current study is the first attempt to prepare nanocomposites of Eleocharis dulcis biochar (EDB) with nano zero-valent Copper (nZVCu/EDB) and magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs/EDB) for batch and column scale sequestration of Congo Red dye (CR) from synthetic and natural water. The adsorbents were characterized with advanced analytical techniques. The impact of EDB, MNPs/EDB and nZVCu/EDB dosage (1–4 g/L), pH (4–10), initial concentration...
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Instructor Presence in Video Lectures: Preliminary Findings From an Online Experiment
PublicationMotivation. Despite the widespread use of video lectures in online and blended learning environments, there is still debate whether the presence of an instructor in the video helps or hinders learning. According to social agency theory, seeing the instructor makes learners believe that s/he is personally teaching them, which leads to deeper cognitive processing and, in turn, better learning outcomes. Conversely, according to cognitive...
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Measurements of Activity Coefficients at Infinite Dilution for Organic Solutes in the Ionic Liquids N-Ethyl- and N-Octyl-N-methylmorpholinium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. A Useful Tool for Solvent Selection
PublicationIn recent years, many papers describing ionic liquids (IL) as promising solvents in separation techniques have been published. The conscious choice of appropriate ionic liquid as absorption media in effective extraction of selected types of analytes requires deeper understanding of the analyte−IL interactions. Therefore, intensive research is conducted to determine the values of activity coefficient at infinite dilution, which...
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URBAN MENTORING JAKO NOWA TECHNIKA WPRÓŁPRACY W PROCESIE PLANOWANIA PARTCYPACYJNEGO
PublicationW 25 lat od powrotu demokracji opierającej się o neoliberalny paradygmat rozwoju kraju, Polska przyjęła Krajową Politykę Miejską 2030. Wraz z ustawą o rewitalizacji w nowoczesny sposób określa ona pole współpracy władz samorządowych i administracji z mieszkańcami, przejście do drugiej fazy rozwoju społeczeństwa demokratycznego – mieszkańców współgospodarzy przestrzeni miast. Powolna ewolucja tej relacji, silnie obarczonej dziedzictwem...
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Non-Diophantine Arithmetics in Mathematics, Physics and Psychology
PublicationFor a long time, all thought there was only one geometry — Euclidean geometry. Nevertheless, in the 19th century, many non-Euclidean geometries were discovered. It took almost two millennia to do this. This was the major mathematical discovery and advancement of the 19th century, which changed understanding of mathematics and the work of mathematicians providing innovative insights and tools for mathematical research and applications...
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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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Multi-region fuzzy logic controller with local PID controllers for U-tube steam generator in nuclear power plant
PublicationIn the paper, analysis of multi-region fuzzy logic controller with local PID controllers for steam generator of pressurized water reactor (PWR) working in wide range of thermal power changes is presented. The U-tube steam generator has a nonlinear dynamics depending on thermal power transferred from coolant of the primary loop of the PWR plant. Control of water level in the steam generator conducted by a traditional PID controller...
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Photocatalytically Active TiO2/Ag2O Nanotube Arrays Interlaced with Silver Nanoparticles Obtained from the One-Step Anodic Oxidation of Ti–Ag Alloys
PublicationThe development of a photocatalyst with remarkable activity to degrade pollutants in aqueous and gas phase requires visible lightresponsive stable materials, easily organized in the form of a thin layer (to exclude the highly expensive separation step). In this work, we present a one-step strategy for synthesizing material in the form of a self-organized TiO2/Ag2O nanotube (NT) array interlaced with silver nanoparticles (as in a...
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Design and Implementation of Multi-Band Reflectarray Metasurface for 5G Millimeter Wave Coverage Enhancement
PublicationA compact low-profile multi-band millimeter-wave (mm-wave) reflectarray metasurface design is presented for coverage enhancement in 5G and beyond cellular communication. The proposed single-layer metasurface exhibits a stable reflection response under oblique incidence angles of up to 60o at 24 and 38 GHz, and transmission response at 30 GHz, effectively covering the desired 5G mm-wave frequency bands. The proposed reflectarray...
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Safety assessment of a concrete viaduct damaged by vehicle impact and an evaluation of the repair
PublicationDamage to lower parts of viaducts caused by impact from under-passing high vehicles is relatively frequent. One such incident, in which a viaduct was damaged by the impact from a truck with an improperly assembled hydraulic crane, is considered in this work. The analysis is based on a detailed object damage evaluation, 3D laser scanning, and numerical simulations. The aim of the study is to accurately model the vehicle impact into...
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A pore-scale thermo–hydro-mechanical model for particulate systems
PublicationA pore scale numerical method dedicated to the simulation of heat transfer and associated thermo–hydro-mechanical couplings in granular media is described. The proposed thermo–hydro-mechanical approach builds on an existing hydromechanical model that employs the discrete element method for simulating the mechanical behavior of dense sphere packings and combines it with the finite volume method for simulating pore space fluid flow...
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Moving Towards Competence in Teaching Architecture: The Relationship of Research and Design in Academia
PublicationArchitecture is truly a profession of public trust requiring special care at all stages in academic education. European educational reforms initiated by the 1999 Bologna Process affected architecture education, and shifted the role of research. The number of doctoral programs increased, so the involvement of PhD students in teaching also expanded. This study aims to identify how these changes affect quality in architecture education....
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The Environmental Benefits of Photovoltaic Systems: The Impact on the Environment in the Production of Photovoltaic Systems: With a Focus on Metal Recovery
PublicationGreenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, trap heat and energy, thus preventing solar radiation from escaping back into space. As the quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases so does the trapped heat and corresponding global temperature. As a result, storms become more violent, droughts more prevalent, glaciers melt, and sea levels rise, to name but a few effects of a rapidly changing...
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The effect of exogenous application of methyl jasmonate on the lipid and carbohydrate content and composition of winter triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) grain and the severity of fungal infections in triticale plants and grain
PublicationKernels of winter triticale (Triticosecale Wittm. cv. Dinaro) were analyzed. In the autumn of 2015, the effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ) on the germination of triticale kernels and the development of triticale seedlings was analyzed in a laboratory before kernels were sown in experimental plots. Kernels harvested from plots in August 2016 were analyzed to determine their lipid and carbohydrate content and composition and the severity...
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Nadmiarowe zgony podczas pandemii COVID-19 w Polsce i ocena skuteczności szczepień
PublicationZ powodu pandemii COVID-19 zmarły miliony ludzi na całym świecie. Jak wynika z wielu badań, szczepienia przeciw chorobie wywołanej wirusem SARS-CoV-2 okazały się środ-kiem ograniczającym skalę zachorowań i liczbę zgonów. Celem badania omawianego w artyku-le jest pomiar skali pandemii w Polsce za pomocą liczby nadmiarowych zgonów w podregio-nach według klasyfikacji NUTS 3 i w grupach wieku, a następnie określenie zależności pomiędzy...
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Antitumor DNA-Damaging C-1748 is a New Inhibitor of Autophagy that Triggers Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines
PublicationDespite the enormous progress that has been made over the past decades in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of many types of tumors, survival rates in pancreatic cancer still remain poor. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant and chemoresistant tumors and the profound mechanism supporting these phenomena is the constitutively activated prosurvival autophagy. The antitumor 1-nitroacridine derivative C-1748 belongs to...
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Retained features of embryonic metabolism in the adult MRL mouse
PublicationThe MRL mouse is an inbred laboratory strain that was derived by selective breeding in 1960 from the rapidly growing LG/J (Large) strain. MRL mice grow to nearly twice the size of other commonly used mouse strains, display uncommonly robust healing and regeneration properties, and express later onset autoimmune traits similar to Systemic Lupus Erythematosis. The regeneration trait (heal) in the MRL mouse maps to 14-20 quantitative...
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FLOOD MANAGEMENT IN URBAN BASINS OF THE CITY OF GDAŃSK
PublicationOver the last years, the City of Gdańsk suffers twice from flash floods. Both events were caused by intense storms which produced significant surface runoff and caused inundation private and cities properties. The first case of July 2001 flood [3], [9] was the turning point for the city authorities, who decide to look close on the flood management in small urban catchments. The aim of research projects was to establish technical...
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Can bottom sediments be a prospective fertilizing material? A chemical composition analysis for potential reuse in agriculture.
PublicationEvery year huge amounts of bottom sediments are extracted worldwide, which need to be dis-posed. The recycling of bottom sediments for soil fertilization is in line with the long-promoted circular economy policy and enables the use of micro and macronutrients accumulated in sedi-ments for soil fertilization. When considering potential agricultural reuse of the dredge sediments, the first necessary step should be to analyze whether...
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Enhanced cellulose extraction from agave plant (Agave americana Species) for synthesis of magnetic/cellulose nanocomposite for defluoridation of water
PublicationResearch on fluoride removal from water is currently focusing on the development of innovative materials for defluoridation water. The current study extracted and used enhanced cellulose from Agave americana species to synthesize a magnetic/cellulose nanocomposite for water defluoridation. Strong and light binary acids (H2SO4 and CH3COOH) were utilized to pretreat raw material to enhance cellulose extraction. Central composite...
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An Aqueous Exfoliation of WO3 as a Route for Counterions Fabrication—Improved Photocatalytic and Capacitive Properties of Polyaniline/WO3Composite
PublicationIn this paper, we demonstrate a novel, electrochemical route of polyaniline/tungsten oxide (PANI)/WO3) film preparation. Polyaniline composite film was electrodeposited on the FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) substrate from the aqueous electrolyte that contained aniline (monomer) and exfoliated WO3 as a source of counter ions. The chemical nature of WO3 incorporated in the polyaniline matrix was investigated using X-ray photoelectron...
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An advanced tool integrating failure and sensitivity analysis into novel modeling of the stormwater flood volume
PublicationAn innovative tool for modeling the specific flood volume was presented that can be applied to assess the need for stormwater network modernization as well as for advanced flood risk assessment. Field measurements for a catchment area in Kielce, Poland, were used to apply the model and demonstrate its usefulness. This model extends the capability of recently developed statistical and machine learning hydrodynamic models developed...
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Heavy Metals in Sediments of Urban Streams: Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Influencing Factors
PublicationSediments of two urban streams in northern Poland outflowing to the Baltic Sea were assessed to explain the spatial variation in relation to urbanization level of the catchment, the role of retention tanks (RTs) and identification of pollution level. During the 3 month period of investigation sediment samples were collected from the inflow (IN) and outflow (OUT) of six RTs located on streams for flood protection. Six heavy metals...
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Evaluation of aspiration problems in L2 English pronunciation employing machine learning
PublicationThe approach proposed in this study includes methods specifically dedicated to the detection of allophonic variation in English. This study aims to find an efficient method for automatic evaluation of aspiration in the case of Polish second-language (L2) English speakers’ pronunciation when whole words are analyzed instead of particular allophones extracted from words. Sample words including aspirated and unaspirated allophones...
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General concept of functional safety - standarisation and sector aspects
PublicationRozdział poświęcono koncepcji bezpieczeństwa funkcjonalnego. Bezpieczeństwo funkcjonalne jest częścią bezpieczeństwa całkowitego zależną od odpowiedniej odpowiedzi systemów sterowania i/lub zabezpieczeń na sygnały wejściowe podczas wystąpienia stanów nienormalnych maszyny, instalacji lub obiektu podwyższonego ryzyka. Koncepcja bezpieczeństwa funkcjonalnego przedstawiona w normie IEC 51508 stanowi przykład dobrej praktyki inżynierskiej...
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Research on the Use of Mobile Devices and Headphones on Pedestrian Crossings—Pilot Case Study from Slovakia
PublicationThe topic of the use of mobile devices and headphones on pedestrian crossings is much less explored in comparison to the use of the mobile phone while driving. Recent years have seen many discussions on this issue, especially in foreign countries. The Slovak Republic, however, has not been giving it enough attention (and it is not mentioned in the National Road Safety Plan for the Slovak Republic from 2011 to 2020). This paper...
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THE ROLE OF DAYLIGHT IN ARCHITECTURAL CREATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL FACILITIES
PublicationThe paper studies the role of light in architectural creations of contemporary buildings of representative function. Based on the selected projects and completed buildings dedicated to culture and art, it analyzes and systematizes the examples of using light to obtain visual effects that mark the architecture with a universal and timeless message. The method of research is case study and critical analysis of literature. Light plays...
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Game-based Sprint retrospectives: multiple action research
PublicationIn today’s fast-paced world of rapid technological change, software development teams need to constantly revise their work practices. Not surprisingly, regular reflection on how to become more effective is perceived as one of the most important principles of Agile Software Development. Nevertheless, running an effective and enjoyable retrospective meeting is still a challenge in real environments. As reported by several studies,...
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Finite-difference time-domain analyses of active cloaking for electrically-large objects
PublicationInvisibility cloaking devices constitute a unique and potentially disruptive technology, but only if they can work over broad bandwidths for electrically-large objects. So far, the only known scheme that allows for broadband scattering cancellation from an electrically-large object is based on an active implementation where electric and magnetic sources are deployed over a surface surrounding the object, but whose ‘switching on’...
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The influence of the Cu2O deposition method on the structure, morphology and photoresponse of the ordered TiO2NTs/Cu2O heterojunction
PublicationThe increased interest in highly ordered titania structures exhibiting tubular shape that could be directly formed onto the stable substrate is related with the intensive research on their modification enabling absorption of light within the wide solar spectrum and its further conversion into electric or chemical energy. Among others, formation of uniform 3D heterojunctions based on the TiO2 nanotubes attracts attention since porous...
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2-Methoxyestradiol and Hydrogen Peroxide as Promising Biomarkers in Parkinson’s Disease
PublicationEstrogens function in numerous physiological processes including controlling brain cell growth and differentiation. 2-Meth- oxestradiol (2-ME2), a 17β-estradiol (E2) metabolite, is known for its anticancer effects as observed both in vivo and in vitro. 2-ME2 affects all actively dividing cells, including neurons. The study aimed to determine whether 2-ME2 is a potentially cancer-protective or rather neurodegenerative agent in a...
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Drug-Eluting Biopsy Needle as a Novel Strategy for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Transrectal Prostate Biopsy
PublicationOBJECTIVES: To preclinically evaluate drug-eluting biopsy needles (patent pending WO2016118026) as a new potential way of antimicrobial prophylaxis for transrectal prostate biopsy. METHODS: Twenty steel biopsy needles have been coated with polyvinyl alcohol, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Modified biopsy needles have been randomly divided into 3 groups (1:2:1 ratio). Needles from group I were immersed for 30 minutes in dedicated...
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Transformation of the Odesa Waterfront
PublicationOdesa is a unique city: it is the third-largest city in Ukraine and the second in the Black sea region. During its short but eventful history, it gathered a variety of cultural layers within its boundaries, what had reflected in its architecture, urban life, and unique accent of its inhabitants. The city`s waterfront is considered to be the Pearl of the Black Sea. Starting with the receiving of the Porto Franco status in 1819,...
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Audio Feature Analysis for Precise Vocalic Segments Classification in English
PublicationAn approach to identifying the most meaningful Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients representing selected allophones and vocalic segments for their classification is presented in the paper. For this purpose, experiments were carried out using algorithms such as Principal Component Analysis, Feature Importance, and Recursive Parameter Elimination. The data used were recordings made within the ALOFON corpus containing audio signal...
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A new procedure for the determination of distillation temperature distribution of high-boiling petroleum products and fractions
PublicationThe distribution of distillation temperatures of liquid and semi-fluid products, including petroleum fractions and products, is an important process and practical parameter. It provides information on properties of crude oil and content of particular fractions, classified on the basis of their boiling points, as well as the optimum conditions of atmospheric or vacuum distillation. At present, the distribution of distillation temperatures...
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The advanced monitoring as a key factor for appropriate optimization and control of full-scale activated sludge systems – case study Debogorze WWTP.
PublicationComputer simulation has become a helpful tool in wastewater treatment systems performance and effectiveness analysis. Advanced monitoring, by using appropriate software, enables to create a mathematical model of a real wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), run a simulation and subsequently interpret results under various conditions. An operation of WWTP is usually controlled by global parameters such as flow, solids retention time,...
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Trace Metal Contamination of Bottom Sediments: A Review of Assessment Measures and Geochemical Background Determination Methods
PublicationThis paper provides an overview of different methods of assessing the trace metal (TM) contamination status of sediments affected by anthropogenic interference. The geochemical background determination methods are also described. A total of 25 papers covering rivers, lakes, and retention tanks sediments in areas subjected to anthropogenic pressure from the last three years (2019, 2020, and 2021) were analysed to support our examination...
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Heavy metal accumulation and distribution in Phragmites australis seedlings tissues originating from natural and urban catchment
PublicationThe retention of heavy metal (HM) was studied in root and rhizomes (BLG), stems (ST), and leaves (LF) of Phragmites australis (common reed) seedlings collected from different locations, differing in the scale of anthropogenic interference. The analysis includes the reference samples of sediments in uncontaminated lake Garczonki and contaminated roadside ditch in Cieplewo. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr were analyzed...
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An Easy and Ecological Method of Obtaining Hydrated and Non-Crystalline WO3−x for Application in Supercapacitors
PublicationIn this work, we report the synthesis of hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 flakes (WO3−x) via an environmentally friendly and facile water-based strategy. This method is described, in the literature, as exfoliation, however, based on the results obtained, we cannot say unequivocally that we have obtained an exfoliated material. Nevertheless, the proposed modification procedure clearly affects the morphology of WO3 and leads to loss...
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The influence of food phytochemicals on cyclic phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) activity
PublicationCyclic phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) belongs to family of cyclic phosphodiesterases, which are expressed predominantly in inflammatory cells, airway smooth muscles, cardiovascular tissues and brain. Inhibitors of this family of enzymes found medicinal applications as antidepressants, antiinflamatory drugs (mainly in airway diseases) or antiasthmatics (Ibudilast). PDE4 inhibitors are also being tested for preventing the development...