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Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of ZNTPP in a room temperature ionic liquid
PublikacjaThe steady-state absorption and emission spectra and the time-resolved Soret- and Q-band excited fluorescence profiles of the model metalloporphyrin, ZnTPP, have been measured in a highly purified sample of the common room temperature ionic liquid, [bmim][PF(6)]. S(2)-S(0) emission resulting from Soret-band excitation behaves in a manner completely consistent with that of molecular solvents of the same polarizability. The ionic...
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O 1s excitation and ionization processes in the CO2 molecule studied via detection of low-energy fluorescence emission
PublikacjaOxygen 1s excitation and ionization processes in the CO2 molecule have been studied with dispersed and non-dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy as well as with the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon-photoion coincidence technique. The intensity of the neutral O emission line at 845 nm shows particular sensitivity to core-to-Rydberg excitations and core-valence double excitations, while shape resonances are suppressed. In contrast,...
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Ion conduction in beryllium-alumino-silicate glasses doped with sodium or sodium and lithium ions
PublikacjaElectrical properties of beryllium-alumino-silicate glasses containing sodium ions or sodium and lithium ions were studied with impedance spectroscopy technique over a frequency range from 10 mHz to 1 MHz and at temperature range from 213 to 473 K. The frequency- and temperature-dependent conductivity spectra of individual single alkali glasses were superimposed by means of the Summerfield scaling. Mixed-alkali glasses do not overlap...
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Impedance evaluation of coatings from biobased material
PublikacjaThe authors propose a modification of sodium caseinate edible coating for foodstuff protection. The aim was to improve the film’s barrier properties. It was achieved by the addition of propolis, which is a natural, environmentally friendly product known from its intrinsic sealing action. In the next step, propolis-admixed sodium caseinate films were exposed to elevated temperature for 10 min. This approach was meant to improve...
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Biomolecular influenza virus detection based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using the nanocrystalline boron-doped diamond electrodes with covalently bound antibodies
PublikacjaNew rapid pathogen detection methods with improved cost-effectiveness and efficiency are currently in the focus of the scientists from all over the world. Based on the experiences from the rapid spread of the influenza virus pandemic in 2009 it is clear that the development of the system for early diagnosis of this infection is essential. The crucial stage of the treatment is the detection of the viral infection during its initial...
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Evaluation of organic coatings condition with AFM-based method
PublikacjaThe paper presents an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based approach to evaluation of local protective properties of organic coatings. Apart from topography, it provides local ac and dc characteristics of examined coating. The method consists in application of ac voltage perturbation signal between conductive AFM tip and coated metal substrate. The resulting current is used to determine local impedance characteristics. Both impedance...
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Structural and spectroscopic investigation of new luminescent hybrid materials based on calix[4]arene-tetracarboxylate and Ln 3+ ions (Ln = Gd, Tb or Eu)
PublikacjaLanthanide-calixarene hybrid materials are of particular interest due to the combination of the interesting properties of the ligand cavity-like structure and the luminescent features of lanthanides. The aim of this study was to synthesize and investigate the photophysical properties of Eu3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+ hybrids based on calix[4]arene-tetracarboxylate. The preparation of two structurally different...
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Tyre/road noise reduction of poroelastic road surface tested in a laboratory
PublikacjaA so-called poroelastic road surface (PERS) is being developed in Europe. This contains a large percentage of rubber particles mixed with hard aggregate (stone and sand) and bound with polyurethane. This gives high air void content (around 30 %), high elasticity and smooth texture, all of which should give low noise properties. Inthis experiment anominally 30 mm thick sample of PERS was mounted on a steel drum. Various car tyres...
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Au-RE-TiO2 nanocomposites: Surface characteristics and photoactivity
PublikacjaThe photocatalysts based on TiO2 co-doped with rare earth metal (RE) and gold nanoparticles have been prepared using a sol-gel method and followed by gold reduction. Specific surface areas of the modified photocatalysts were calculated by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET). Diffuse reflectance spectra of the obtained photocatalysts were recorded in a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (DRS UV-Vis). The influence of the type of rare...
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Analysis
PublikacjaNew food products and diverse formulations containing the regulated steviol glycoside(s) as well as Stevia extracts or Stevia leaves have been brought on the global market. The upcoming multitude of such food products, but also their falsification and adulteration, does have impact on food analysis. Robust high-throughput methods that cope with different food matrices are required for food control to ensure food safety. The analysis...
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Evaluating Gelatin-Based Films with Graphene Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Applications
PublikacjaIn this study, gelatin-based films containing graphene nanoparticles were obtained. Nanoparticles were taken from four chosen commercial graphene nanoplatelets with different surface areas, such as 150 m2/g, 300 m2/g, 500 m2/g, and 750 m2/g, obtained in different conditions. Their morphology was observed using SEM with STEM mode; porosity, Raman spectra and elemental analysis were checked; and biological properties, such as hemolysis...
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Anodic titania nanotubes decorated with gold nanoparticles produced by laser-induced dewetting of thin metallic films
PublikacjaHerein, we combine titania layers with gold species in a laser-supported process and report a substantial change of properties of the resulting heterostructures depending on the major processing parameters. Electrodes were fabricated via an anodisation process complemented with calcination to ensure a crystalline phase, and followed by magnetron sputtering of metallic films. The obtained TiO2 nanotubes with deposited thin (5, 10...
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Sol-gel Al2O3 antireflection coatings for silicon solar cells
PublikacjaPurpose: This paper presents the results of investigations on morphology and opticalproperties of the prepared aluminium oxide thin filmsDesign/methodology/approach: Thin films were prepared with use of sol-gel spincoating method. The changes of surface morphology were observed in topographic picturesperformed with the atomic force microscope AFM. Obtained roughness coefficients valueswere generated...
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Liquefaction of alder wood as the source of renewable and sustainable polyols for preparation of polyurethane resins
PublikacjaLiquefaction of wood-based biomass gives different polyol properties depending on the reagents used. In this article, alder wood sawdust was liquefied with glycerol and poly(ethylene glycol) solvents. Liquefaction reactions were carried out at temperatures of 120, 150 and 170 °C. The obtained bio-polyols were analyzed in order to establish the process efficiency, hydroxyl number, acid value, viscosity and structural characteristics...
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Study on Combined Optical and Electrochemical Analysis Using Indium-tin-oxide-coated Optical Fiber Sensor
PublikacjaThe growing needs for fast and reliable sensing devices stimulate development of new technological solutions. In this work a new multi-domain sensing method is demonstrated where optical sensing device has been applied to enhance amount of data received during electrochemical analysis. Thin, optically transparent, high-refractive-index, and electrically conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) film was deposited using magnetron sputtering...
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Nanoporous TiO2 electrode grown by laser ablation of titanium in air at atmospheric pressure and room temperature
PublikacjaRecently, fabrication of the nanoporous TiO2 photoelectrode on metal foils by means of sputtering of the Ti film on preheatedmetal substrate followed by the TiO2 deposition (doctor blade technique) and sintering represents the frequently applied technique. This is despite the relatively complicated procedure and number of parameters to be controlled in order to fabricate films of required properties. In this work an approach is...
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A rapid-response ultrasensitive biosensor for influenza virus detection using antibody modified boron-doped diamond
PublikacjaAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 2 billion people each year are infected worldwide with flu-like pathogens including influenza. This is a contagious disease caused by viruses belonging to the family Orthomyxoviridae. Employee absenteeism caused by flu infection costs hundreds of millions of dollars every year. To successfully treat influenza virus infections, detection of the virus during the initial development...
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Preparation and characterization of TiO2 nanostructures for catalytic CO2 photoconversion
PublikacjaThe titanium dioxide target (99.7%) of 1 cm in dia was ablated in vacuum by laser pulses(6 ns) at 266 nm and at repetition rate of 10 Hz. During deposition the laser fluence between 1 and 3.5 J/cm2 and the O2 pressure from the range of 10-2 - 1 Pa were applied. The thin TiO2 films were deposited on glass substrate (1 × 1 cm2) heated up to 500 °C. The chemical composition of the film and samples produced by annealing were investigated...
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Structure and properties of the exopolysaccharides produced by Pseudomonas mutabilis T6 and P. mutabilis ATCC 31014
PublikacjaThis paper presents a study on the purification, primary structure, and rheological properties of exopolysaccharides isolated from cultures of Pseudomonas mutabilis T6 and P. mutabilis ATCC 31014. Both polymers are exopolysaccharides of D-mannose. The mannan isolated from P. mutabilis T6 contains on average about 5% of residual b-D-glucose, in contrast to the mannan from P. mutabilis ATCC 31014, which contained only trace amounts...
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Effect of osmolytes of different type on DNA behavior in aqueous solution. Experimental and theoretical studies
PublikacjaOsmolytes, the small organic molecules accumulated in cells under environmental stress, can modulate the stability of biopolymers such as proteins and DNA. In spite of many years of research, there is no established molecular mechanism of the influence of osmolytes on DNA structure. Here, we used two model osmolytes that denature (urea) or stabilize (trimethylglycine, TMG) proteins to study their effect on DNA in aqueous solutions...
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Optical investigations of electrochemical processes using a long-period fiber grating functionalized by indium tin oxide
Publikacjahe growing needs for fast and reliable sensing devices stimulate development of new technological solutions. In this work a new multi-domain sensing method is demonstrated where optical sensing device has been applied to enhance amount of data received during electrochemical analysis. Thin, optically transparent, high-refractive-index, and electrically conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) film was deposited using magnetron sputtering...
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Optical properties of thin TiO2 film deposited on the fiber optic sensor head
PublikacjaThe presented study was focused on investigation of the titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film deposited on the fiber tip. The intention of this investigation was using TiO2 film in the construction of the optical fiber sensor head. In the demonstrated construction TiO2 thin layer was deposited on the tip of a commonly used telecommunication single mode optical fiber (SMF-28) by means of the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). Thickness...
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Dynamic mass measurement in checkweighers using a discrete time-variant low-pass filter
PublikacjaConveyor belt type checkweighers are complex mechanical systems consisting of a weighing sensor (strain gauge load cell, electrodynamically compensated load cell), packages (of different shapes, made of different materials) and a transport system (motors, gears, rollers). Disturbances generated by the vibrating parts of such a system are reflected in the signal power spectra in a form of strong spectral peaks, located usually in...
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Visible light activity of rare earth metal doped (Er3+, Yb3+ or Er3+/Yb3+) titania photocatalysts
PublikacjaA series of Er3+-TiO2, Yb3+-TiO2 and Er3+/Yb3+-TiO2 photocatalysts were obtained via sol-gel method, using rare earth metal (RE) precursor ranging from 0.25 to 10 mol%. The experiments demonstrated that phenol in aqueous solutions was successfully degraded under visible light (> 450 nm) using RE3+-TiO2. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis...
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Tailoring of Optical Properties of Methacrylate Resins Enriched by HPHT Microdiamond Particles
PublikacjaDiamond particles have great potential to enhance the mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of diamond–polymer composites. However, the improved properties of diamond–polymer composites depend on the size, dispersibility, and concentration of diamond particles. In the present study, diamond–polymer composites were prepared by adding the microdiamond particles (MDPs) with different concentrations (0.2–1 wt.%) into polymers...
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Comparison of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and near-infrared transillumination-backscattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS) methods
PublikacjaThe aim of the study was to compare simultaneously recorded a NIR-T/BSS and NIRS signals from healthy volunteers. NIR-T/BSS is a device which give an ability to non-invasively detect and monitor changes in the subarachnoid space width (SAS). Experiments were performed on a group of 30 healthy volunteers (28 males and 2 females, age 30.8 ± 13.4 years, BMI = 24.5 ± 2.3 kg/m2). We analysed recorded signals using analysis methods based...
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Copper(I) halide cluster-based coordination polymers modulated by chiral ditopic dithiodianthranilide ligands: synthesis, crystal structure and photoluminescence
PublikacjaReaction of copper(I) halides with chiral dithiodianthranilidesmdtaandbdtaafforded polymeric complexeswhere polynuclear CuX clusters were linked together by ditopic bridging ligands into 1D chains or 2D layerstructures. In the case of racemic ligands double stranded chain polymers were formed where the Cu4X4(X = I or Br) cores are connected by enantiomeric pairs of the ditopic ligands. In contrast, a homochiralmdtaligand created...
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Fabrication of high-density nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center-enriched diamond particles through methyl trityl amine (C20H19N) seeding
PublikacjaDiamond particles (DPs) show promise for advanced applications in bioimaging and quantum sensing due to the presence of defect centers. This work reports a unique growth process for diamond particles composed of nitrogen-vacancy centers (NV-DPs) using a methyl trityl amine (C20H19N) diamondoid seed, which acts as a nitrogen source for NV creation. Growth was performed via microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition in a...
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Annealing Rate as a Crucial Parameter Controlling the Photoelectrochemical Properties of AuCu Mosaic Core–Shell Nanoparticles
PublikacjaThermal processing is an essential step during the synthesis of various metal nanostructures and for tailoring their morphology, optical, and electrochemical properties. Herein, a profound impact of the annealing rate and time on photoactivity of gold–copper nanostructures by changes in the position and alignment of energy levels and surface states is reported. AuCu nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated by sputtering of thin metal...
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CO2 Separation Using Supported Deep Eutectic Liquid Membranes Based on 1,2-propanediol
PublikacjaIn this work, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of choline chloride, acetylcholine chloride or tetrabutylammonium chloride, and 1,2-propanediol were used as a liquid phase for polypropylene-based supported liquid membranes (SLMs) and evaluated for the separation of carbon dioxide from CO2/N2 mixtures. Fourier transform infrared spectra were obtained to confirm DES formation, and the thermal stability of solvents was investigated...
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Molecular and structural characteristics of cod gelatin films modifiedwith EDC and TGase
PublikacjaCod gelatin films before and after cross-linking of gelatin with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) or transglutaminase (TGase) have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and DSC analysis. For comparison, a film prepared from unmodified pig gelatin has been also analysed. The difference spectra showed that cod gelatin during the film formation involved first of all water-to-amide hydrogen bonds, and the film...
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Broadband Modeling of Motor Cable Impact on Common Mode Currents in VFD
PublikacjaExamination of conducted EMI generation and propagation in AC motor drives fed by frequency converter requires to consider parasitic capacitances in converters, motor windings and feeding cables to be taken into account. AC motor winding voltage transients and related common mode currents are significantly correlated with resonance effects occurring in converter's load circuits. Intensity levels of these phenomena depend...
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Acid–Base Equilibrium and Self-Association in Relation to High Antitumor Activity of Selected Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Established by Extensive Chemometric Analysis
PublikacjaUnsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) represent a novel class of anticancer agents previously synthesized by our group. Our recent studies have demonstrated their high antitumor potential against multiple cancer cell lines and human tumor xenografts in nude mice. At the cellular level, these compounds affected 3D cancer spheroid growth and their cellular uptake was selectively modulated by quantum dots. UAs were shown to undergo metabolic...
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The supramolecular organization of self-assembling chlorosomal bacteriochlorophyll c, d, or e mimics
PublikacjaBacteriochlorophylls (BChls) c, d, and e are the main light-harvesting pigments of green photosynthetic bacteria that self-assemble into nanostructures within the chlorosomes forming the most efficient antennas of photosynthetic organisms. All previous models of the chlorosomal antennae, which are quite controversially discussed because no single crystals could be grown so far from these organelles, involve a strong hydrogen-bonding...
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Synthesis of highly crystalline photocatalysts based on TiO2 and ZnO for the degradation of organic impurities under visible-light irradiation
PublikacjaA TiO2–ZnO binary oxide system (with molar ratio TiO2:ZnO = 8:2) was synthesized by a hydrothermal method, assisted by calcination at temperatures of 500, 600 and 700 °C, using zinc citrate as the precursor of ZnO. The morphology (SEM, TEM), crystalline structure (XRD, Raman spectroscopy), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), chemical surface composition (EDXRF), porous structure parameters (low-temperature N2 sorption) and characteristic...
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Gas‐Phase Removal of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Airborne Microorganisms Over Mono‐ and Bimetal‐Modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) Titanium(IV) Oxide Nanocomposites
PublikacjaThe photocatalytic deactivation of volatile organic compounds and mold fungi using TiO2 modified with mono‐ and bimetallic (Pt, Cu, Ag) particles is reported in this study. The mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide photocatalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method and characterized using XRD, XPS, DR/UV‐Vis, BET and TEM analysis. The effect of incident light, type and content of mono‐ and bimetallic...
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Nanosize effect of clay mineral nanoparticles on the drug diffusion processes in polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels
PublikacjaStudies of swelling and release of naproxen sodium (NAP) solution by polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels containing Cloisite® 30B (organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT)) have been performed. Polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels are hybrid, nontoxic biomaterials with unique swelling and release properties in comparison with unmodified hydrogels. These features enable to use nanocomposite hydrogels as a modern wound dressing....
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Interactions of protons with furan molecules studied by collision-induced emission spectroscopy at the incident energy range of 50–1000 eV
PublikacjaInvestigations of the ion-molecule reactions provide insight into many fields ranging from the stellar wind interaction with interstellar media, up to medicine and industrial applications. Besides the applications, the understanding of these processes is itself a problem of fundamental importance. Thus, interactions of protons with the gas-phase furan molecules have been investigated for the first time in the energy range of 50–1000...
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Thermodynamics and kinetics of amphotericin B self-association in aqueous solution characterized in molecular detail
PublikacjaAmphotericin B (AmB) is a potent but toxic drug commonly used to treat systemic mycoses. Its efficiency as a therapeutic agent depends on its ability to discriminate between mammalian and fungal cell membranes. The association of AmB monomers in an aqueous environment plays an important role in drug selectivity, as oligomers formed prior to membrane insertion – presumably dimers – are believed to act differently on fungal (ergosterol-rich)...
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Lanthanide co-doped TiO2: the effect of metal type and amount on surface properties and photocatalytic activity
PublikacjaPreparation of new rare earth metal-containing TiO2 nanocomposites (Nd3+/Er3+, Nd3+/Eu3+, Eu3+/Ho3+-TiO2) using sol–gel route and their photoactivity under visible and ultraviolet light is reported. The obtained photocatalysts were subsequently characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, UV–Vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), luminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction...
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Comparative assessment of two extraction procedures for determination of bioactive compounds in some berries used for daily food consumption
PublikacjaTwo extractions with methanol and water were used to determine the antioxidant and binding properties of some berries as a supplement to food. Fluorometry, FTIR spectra and radical scavenging assays were used for characterisation of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols and tannins) and the levels of their antioxidant activities (AAs). The contents of bioactive compounds and AAs in water and methanol polyphenol...
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Enhanced Spectroscopic Insight into Acceptor-Modified Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films Deposited via the Sol–Gel Method
PublikacjaIn the present paper, composite thin films of barium strontium titanate (BaxSr1−xTiO3) with an acceptor modifier (magnesium oxide—MgO) were deposited on metal substrates (stainless steel type) using the sol–gel method. The composite thin films feature BaxSr1−xTiO3 ferroelectric solid solution as the matrix and MgO linear dielectric as the reinforcement, with MgO concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 mol%. Following thermal treatment...
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Unique agreement of experimental and computational infrared spectroscopy: a case study of lithium bromide solvation in an important electrochemical solvent
PublikacjaInfrared (IR) spectroscopy is a widely used and invaluable tool in the studies of solvation phenomena in electrolyte solutions. Using state-of-the-art chemometric analysis of a spectral series measured in a concentration-dependent manner, the spectrum of the solute-affected solvent can be extracted, providing a detailed view of the structural and energetic states of the solvent molecules influenced by the solute. Concurrently,...
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The interactions of monomeric acridines and unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) with DNA duplexes: an insight provided by NMR and MD studies
PublikacjaMembers of a novel class of anticancer compounds, exhibiting high antitumor activity, i.e. the unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs), consist of two heteroaromatic ring systems. One of the ring systems is an imidazoacridinone moiety, with the skeleton identical to the structural base of Symadex. The second one is a 1-nitroacridine moiety, hence it may be regarded as Nitracrine’s structural basis. These monoacridine units are connected...
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SPECTRAL RESPONSE OF STATIONARY JACK-UP PLATFORMS LOADED BY SEA WAVES AND WIND USING PERTURBATION METHOD
PublikacjaThe paper addresses non-linear vibrations of offshore jack-up drilling platforms loaded by sea waves and wind in their stationary condition using the perturbation method. Non-linearity of dynamic equations of motion for fixed offshore platforms yields from two factors. The first is load excitation generating non-linear velocity coupling in a dynamic system. This coupling is inherent in the modified Morison equation, involving the...
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Optical properties of polyazomethine with oxygen atom in the backbon
PublikacjaPurpose: The aim of this paper is to show results of optical measurement performed on poly –(1-(4-methylenephenoxy-1)phenylene-4-methylene-1.4-phenylnenitrylomethylene) (PPI2) polyazomethine thinfilms and to compare with poly - (1.4-phenylenemethylenenitrilo-1.4 phenylenenitrilomethylene) (PPI).Design/methodology/approach: Influence of oxygen atom in the polymer chain on optical properties ofpolyazomethine was investigated....
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Evaluation of the photoprotective effect of β-cyclodextrin on the emission of volatile degradation products of ranitidine
PublikacjaThe process of the photo-excitation of ranitidine hydrochloride (RAN) in a solid state makes visible changes to its colour and generates an unpleasant odour. The purpose of the present study was to observe the protective effects of ˇ-cyclodextrin (CD) complexation as well as the effect of the mixture of two stoichiometries 1:1 and 1:2 (RAN:CD, IC) on the photostability of samples in a solid state. Samples of inclusion complexes...
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Cross-talk Between the Heart and Arteries in Older 65+ Adults
PublikacjaRegulatory synchronization between the heart and the arterial walls is essential for optimal blood delivery to tissues. We investigated functional coherence between heart rhythm and aortic wall compliance in 30 volunteers aged 65 – 74. ECG and carotid and iliac pulse-wave were recorded and digitized at 2 kHz. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave transit time (cfTT) which reflex aortic compliance was assessed using the intersecting tangent...
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Comparative X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy studies of BiFeO3 ceramics prepared by conventional solid-state reaction and mechanical activation
PublikacjaThe aim of this work was to prepare BiFeO3 by modified solid-state sintering and mechanical activation processes and to investigate the structure and hyperfine interactions of the material. X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy were applied as complementary methods. In the case of sintering, BiFeO3 phase was obtained from the mixture of precursors with 3 and 5 % excess of Bi2O3 during heating at 1023 K. Small amounts of...
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Applications of Raman spectroscopy for detection of selected substances in tissues
PublikacjaThis dissertation explores the applications of Raman spectroscopy for biological tissue analysis. Basics of Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are described, along with an analysis of the literature on biodetection and non-invasive blood analysis with emphasis on glucose detection. Instrumentation for Raman measurements is described. The sources of noise and interferences occurring in biological tissue measurements...