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Gdańsk University of Technology

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  • New, fast and cheap prediction tests for BRCA1 gene mutations identification in clinical samples.
    • Aleksandra Gajda-Walczak
    • Agnieszka Potęga
    • Agata Kowalczyk
    • Sławomir Sęk
    • Sebastian Zięba
    • Artur Kowalik
    • Andrzej Kudelski
    • Anna M. Nowicka
    2023 Full text Scientific Reports

    Despite significant progress in cancer therapy, cancer is still the second cause of mortality in the world. The necessity to make quick therapeutic decisions forces the development of procedures allowing to obtain a reliable result in a quick and unambiguous manner. Currently, detecting predictive mutations, including BRCA1, is the basis for effectively treating advanced breast cancer. Here, we present new insight on gene mutation detection. We propose a cheap BRCA1 mutation detection tests based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or quartz crystal microbalance with energy dissipation (QCM-D) response changes recorded during a hybridization process of an oligonucleotide molecular probe with DNA fragments, with and without the BRCA1 mutation. The changes in the morphology of the formed DNA layer caused by the presence of the mutation were confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The unique property of the developed SPR and QCM tests is really short time of analysis: ca. 6 min for SPR and ca. 25 min for QCM. The proposed tests have been verified on 22 different DNA extracted from blood leukocytes collected from cancer patients: 17 samples from patients with various BRCA1 gene mutation variants including deletion, insertion and missense single-nucleotide and 5 samples from patients without any BRCA1 mutation. Our test is a response to the need of medical diagnostics for a quick, unambiguous test to identify mutations of the BRCA1 gene, including missense singlenucleotide (SNPs).

  • New hybrid quadrature schemes for weakly singular kernels applied to isogeometric boundary elements for 3D Stokes flow
    • Maximilian Harmel
    • Roger Sauer
    2023 ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WITH BOUNDARY ELEMENTS

    This work proposes four novel hybrid quadrature schemes for the efficient and accurate evaluation of weakly singular boundary integrals (1/r kernel) on arbitrary smooth surfaces. Such integrals appear in boundary element analysis for several partial differential equations including the Stokes equation for viscous flow and the Helmholtz equation for acoustics. The proposed quadrature schemes apply a Duffy transform-based quadrature rule (Duffy, 1982) to surface elements containing the singularity and classical Gaussian quadrature to the remaining elements. Two of the four schemes additionally consider a special treatment for elements near to the singularity, where refined Gaussian quadrature and a new moment-fitting quadrature rule are used. The hybrid quadrature schemes are systematically studied on flat B-spline patches and on NURBS spheres considering two different sphere discretizations: An exact single-patch sphere with degenerate control points at the poles and an approximate discretization that consist of six patches with regular elements. The efficiency of the quadrature schemes is further demonstrated in boundary element analysis for Stokes flow, where steady problems with rotating and translating curved objects are investigated in convergence studies for both, mesh and quadrature refinement. Much higher convergence rates are observed for the proposed new schemes in comparison to classical schemes.

  • New LED photoreactor with modulated UV–vis light source for efficient degradation of toluene over WO3/TiO2 photocatalyst
    • Joanna Mioduska
    • Marcin Łapiński
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Jan Hupka
    • Anna Zielińska-Jurek
    2023 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN

    The efficiencies of prepared WO3/TiO2 photocatalysts with varying amounts of WO3 were evaluated for gas-phase photocatalytic degradation of toluene. The obtained results revealed that the best photocatalytic properties were characteristic for samples calcined at 500ºC, which can be associated with high crystalline phase content (> 97%) and favourable BET surface area. The photocatalytic degradation tests were performed in two photoreactors equipped with different LED arrays as light sources – a flat circular reactor and a scaled-up batch photoreactor. In the first photoreactor, experiments performed under UV light (375 nm) revealed a negligible effect of WO3 content in the range of 0.1–3% mol on the photocatalytic activity. 1–hour irradiation contributed to around 99% elimination of toluene. Higher WO3 content (5% mol WO3) affected a 10% reduction in toluene removal. Furthermore, toluene degradation was performed in a scaled-up LED batch photoreactor equipped with modulated irradiation source consisting of a set of LEDs with wavelengths of 365 nm, 400 nm, and 450 nm appropriately selected for the photocatalytic material optical properties. The processes performed in a scaled-up photoreactor with a volume of 1 dm3 in the presence of a sample containing 2 mol% of WO3 showed above 80% effectiveness in toluene degradation after only 30 min of irradiation.

  • New light on the photocatalytic performance of NH4V4O10 and its composite with rGO
    • Małgorzata Nadolska-Dawidowska
    • Mariusz Szkoda
    • Konrad Trzciński
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Aneta Lewkowicz
    • Kamila Sadowska
    • Julita Smalc-Koziorowska
    • Marta Prześniak-Welenc
    2023 Full text Scientific Reports

    Solar-driven photocatalysis has shown great potential as a sustainable wastewater treatment technology that utilizes clean solar energy for pollutant degradation. Consequently, much attention is being paid to the development of new, efficient and low-cost photocatalyst materials. In this study, we report the photocatalytic activity of NH4V4O10 (NVO) and its composite with rGO (NVO/rGO). Samples were synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method and successfully characterized using XRD, FTIR, Raman, XPS, XAS, TG-MS, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption, PL and UV‒vis DRS. The results indicate that the obtained NVO and NVO/rGO photocatalysts exhibited efficient absorption in the visible wavelength region, a high content of V4+ surface species and a well-developed surface area. Such features resulted in excellent performance in methylene blue photodegradation under simulated solar light illumination. In addition, the composite of NH4V4O10 with rGO accelerates the photooxidation of the dye and is beneficial for photocatalyst reusability. Moreover, it was shown that the NVO/rGO composite can be successfully used not only for the photooxidation of organic pollution but also for the photoreduction of inorganic pollutants such as Cr(VI). Finally, an active species trapping experiment was conducted, and the photodegradation mechanism was discussed.

  • NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CREATING A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
    • Dariusz Dąbrowski
    2023 Full text Marketing Instytucji Naukowych i Badawczych

    It is acknowledged that achieving product-based competitive advantage is a key task for a company. However, there is still a research gap in determining those specific actions in the process of developing new products that arise from companies' efforts to achieve product-based competitive advantage. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the specific actions in the new product development (NPD) process that result from companies' intention to introduce a new product to the market, enabling the achievement of a competitive advantage. The primary research method used in this study is deductive reasoning, supplemented by a literature review. The result of the study is the proposal of three types of actions: a) evaluating an opportunity in terms of its potential to generate a competitive advantage; b) creating a new product with high economic value; and c) assessing both the planned new product and the new product introduced to the market in terms of achieving a competitive advantage. The latter two types of actions can be undertaken at various stages of the NPD process and can pertain to the product concept itself and to specific product forms (e.g., prototypes, pilot products). These proposed actions are significant because attaining a product-based competitive advantage contributes to the achievement of other objectives related to new products (e.g., revenue generation). Therefore, it is recommended that companies incorporate these actions into their NPD process. This study contributes to the field of management by proposing few specific actions in each phase of the NPD process, which arise from a company's intention to achieve a product-based competitive advantage, addressing a previous gap in the literature.

  • New Transparent Flame-Retardant (FR) Coatings Based on Epoxy-Aluminum Hypophosphite Nanocomposites
    • Fouad Laoutid
    • Maryam Jouyandeh
    • Oltea Murariu
    • Henri Vahabi
    • Mohammad Saeb
    • Loic Brison
    • Marius Murariu
    • Philippe Dubois
    2023 Full text Coatings

    The present study investigated the flame-retardant (FR) effect of transparent epoxy coating containing aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) nanoparticles (NPs) on polylactic acid (PLA) sheets used as a typical model of combustible polymeric material. First, AHP NPs (≤60 nm) were prepared by a specific two-stage wet milling process and deeply analyzed (morphology, thermal/mechanisms of degradation under nitrogen and air). The thermal properties of epoxy–AHP nanocomposites were compared with the pristine epoxy resin. The addition of AHP NPs into epoxy resin accelerated thermal degradation of the coating, thereby increasing the amount of char residue. The application of blank epoxy coating on the surface of PLA plate slightly made PLA more ignitable, without any reduction in the peak of heat release rate (pHRR). The decrease of time to ignition (TTI) was more important in the presence of AHP NPs due to their reactivity toward epoxy resin. Epoxy coating containing 15 wt.% AHP NPs showed the most significant reduction in pHRR as the result of the formation of a homogenous char layer. Further increase of AHP NPs content up to 20 wt.% did not end in any further enhancement, as a consequence of structural cracks observed in the coating that prevent the formation of an effective char. The coated samples remained transparent, promisingly paving the way to appropriate decorative flame-retardant coatings.

  • Nexus between stock markets, economic strength, R&D and environmental deterioration: new evidence from EU-27 using PNARDL approach
    • Muhammad Mushafiq
    • Błażej Prusak
    2023 Full text ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH

    This research investigates the impact of stock market indices, economic strength, and research and development expenditures on environmental deterioration in the EU-27 countries for the period 2000–2020. This study utilized linear and non-linear panel ARDL to estimate the short- and long-run effect. According to the results, the stock market indices have negative effect on environmental deterioration in the symmetric form. However, the asymmetric evidence shows that in the long run the positive shocks of stock market indices contribute positively to the environmental deterioration and negative shocks decrease the environmental deterioration. This effect is reversed in the short run. Linear effect of economic strength on environmental deterioration is positive. For non-linear effect, the long-run shocks show no difference. However, the negative shock of economic strength in the short run causes an increase in the environmental deterioration. Symmetric evidence for research and development increases environmental deterioration. However, asymmetric results show weak evidence. The study has policy implications in context of achieving sustainable development goals.

  • Nick Srnicek. Kapitalizm platform.Przekład i opracowanie naukowe: Janusz Grygieńć i Andrzej Karalus
    • Janusz Grygieńć
    • Andrzej Karalus
    2023

    Autor książki dowodzi, że aby zrozumieć współczesną gospodarką należy analizować największe spółki technologiczne, traktując je jako aktorów ekonomiczni w ramach kapitalistycznego systemu produkcji. Punktem wyjścia jest diagnoza, iż w wyniku długotrwałego spadku rentowności produkcji przemysłowej kapitalizm zaczął wykorzystywać dane do tego, żeby utrzymać wzrost gospodarczy oraz witalność, których nie mógł zapewnić sektor produkcyjny. W XXI wieku, w związku z ewolucją technologii cyfrowych, dane stają się coraz bardziej istotne dla firm i ich relacji z pracownikami, klientami oraz z innymi podmiotami gospodarki kapitalistycznej. Platforma wyłoniła się jako nowy model biznesowy, zdolny do gromadzenia i kontrolowania ogromnych ilości danych, a wraz z tą zmianą można było zaobserwować powstanie dużych firm monopolistycznych. Dziś kapitalizm średnio i wysokodochodowych gospodarek jest coraz bardziej zdominowany przez tego typu firmy, a zarysowana w książce dynamika sugeruje, że trend ten będzie się tylko utrzymywał.

  • Nickel phase deposition on V2CTx/V2AlC as catalyst precursors for a dry methane reforming: The effect of the deposition method on the morphology and catalytic activity
    • Izabela Wysocka
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Anna Gołąbiewska
    • Marcin Łapiński
    • Bartłomiej Cieślik
    • Michał Maciejewski
    • Barbara Kościelska
    • Andrzej Rogala
    2023 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

    Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a promising alternative technology for the production of syngas with simultaneous utilization of two main greenhouse gases (CH4, CO2). However, DRM technology is still an industrially immature process due to the lack of stable and active catalyst. Therefore, the search for new catalytic materials is of great research interest. Recently, MAX and MXenes materials are increasingly being tested as potential materials for catalytic processes including dry reforming of hydrocarbons. However, transition metal carbides may be deactivated under DRM conditions due to phase transition caused by an oxidation process. The combining of the MAX/MXene materials with nickel phase may be beneficial for to improve catalytic activity and stability. In this view, we report preparation and characterization of nickel-modified V2CTx/V2AlC materials. The Ni–V2CTx/V2AlC catalysts were prepared using HF-etching followed by impregnation/precipitation method. The effect of preparation route on morphology and catalytic activity was investigated. The properties of fresh and spent catalysts were evaluated using XRD, XPS, MP-AES, SEM, BET surface area, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, TG/DTG and TEM techniques. Catalytic activity was investigated in the DRM process at 800 °C and 1 bar. It was found that the V2CTx/V2AlC- based materials undergo phase transition to vanadium oxide V2O3, vanadium carbide V8C7 and aluminium oxide. The presence of nickel was crucial for the catalyst activity of V2CTx/V2AlC- based catalysis. The catalytic activity was different and related to the preparation procedure resulting in dissimilar nickel-phase morphology and intercalation of sodium ions. It was found that the distribution of nickel phase and presence of alkali ions determined catalysts’ activity and stability. The highest activity and stability in DRM process was observed for Ni–V2CTx/V2AlC_IMP catalysts obtained using only impregnation method without precipitation agents. For the catalysts nickel phase was distributed uniformly forming needle-like structures. The CO2 and CH4 conversions during 20 h-test were in the range of 90–93% and 90-80%, respectively. The molar ration of H2 to CO in outlet stream fluctuated from 1.05 in the first hour of the process to 0.95 after 20 h of the DRM. The activity and stability of Ni–V2CTx/V2AlC_IMP catalyst was higher compared to unmodified V2CTx/V2AlC, unetched V2AlC and Ni–SiO2.

  • Nickel-based catalysts for electrolytic decomposition of ammonia towards hydrogen production
    • Justyna Łuczak
    • Marek Lieder
    2023 Full text ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE

    Nickel is an attractive metal for electrochemical applications because it is abundant, cheap, chemically resilient, and catalytically active towards many reactions. Nickel-based materials (metallic nickel, its alloys, oxides, hydroxides, and composites) have been also considered as promising electrocatalysts for ammonia oxidation. The electrolysis of ammonia aqueous solution results in evolution of gaseous hydrogen and nitrogen. Up to date studies showed that metallic Ni and Ni (hydro)oxides are not catalytically active unless they are electrochemically converted to NiOOH at ~1.3 V vs. RHE. Then, dehydrogenation of NH3 begins with electron-coupled proton transfer to NiOOH resulting in a would-be reversible reduction of the latter to Ni(OH)2. Unlike the water electrolysis process, in which solely oxygen is obtained at the anode, during ammonia electrooxidation apart from release of N2, many undesired oxygenated nitrogen moieties may also turn up. These products appear after at least partial dehydrogenation of ammonia. Studies on NiOOH activity have been conducted for systems containing various modifiers, e.g., Cu, Co, S, P, however, their particular role in catalytic activity has not yet been elucidated. Nowadays research is being conducted in the direction of increasing the activity, selectivity, and stability of NiOOH. In this review, the electroactivity of Ni is analyzed and discussed in accordance with its oxidation states along with the ammonia oxidation mechanism. The main research problems to be solved and challenges for the future industrial use of ammonia are presented

  • Nitrogen transformation during fermentation in agricultural biogas plants
    • Anna Wilińska-Lisowska
    • Otton K. Roubinek
    • Andrzej G. Chmielewski
    • Krzysztof Czerwionka
    2023 Full text Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery

    The aim of the present study was to determine changes in the organic nitrogen fraction in the liquid fraction of the digestate during laboratory tests of mono- and co-digestion. Three agricultural wastes were tested: distillery residue, cattle slurry and corn silage. In the mono-fermentation tests, the initial total nitrogen concentration depended on the feedstock used. As a result of the hydrolysis and ammonification of the organic matter contained in the feedstocks, there was an increase in ammonium nitrogen concentration after 28 days of fermentation. Analysis of organic nitrogen fractions showed that different organic nitrogen fractions predominated in each of the feedstocks. Four co-digestion tests were performed with 20% and 80% inoculum content and the combination of feedstocks used in the mono-fermentation. Proper evaluation of the transformation of nitrogen forms for the tests with 20 and 80% inoculum participation required the calculation of concentrations from the mass balance, taking into account the effect of changes taking place in the inoculum itself (control test). For these tests, the initial concentrations of nitrogen forms are similar to those found in the mono-fermentation tests. A greater increase in ammonium nitrogen concentrations was found for the test with 80% inoculum than in the test with 20% (for the same feedstock). An increase in the removal efficiency of the dissolved organic nitrogen fraction (DON), and an increase for the colloidal (CON) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) fractions after 28 days of co-digestion were observed. The trend of change was similar for 20% and 80% inoculum.

  • Ni-WC/Al2O3 and Ni-WC/MgWO4/MgAl2O4 catalysts for resource recovery via pyrolysis combined with the dry reforming of plastics (PCDR)
    • Izabela Wysocka
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Michał Maciejewski
    • Barbara Kościelska
    • Adam Kubiak
    • Andrzej Rogala
    • Jacek Gębicki
    2023 Full text Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

    Plastic waste (PW) is currently one of an environmental threat. Despite the increasing share of recycled plastics, their disposal remains high. Therefore, there is a high demand for new PW management systems. Among them, pyrolysis combined with dry reforming (PCDR) is an advantageous solution because it allows for resource recovery in the form of gas and liquid fuels, with simultaneous utilization of CO2. To date, catalysts based on Ni, Co, and noble metals supported on metal oxides have been examined. However, these catalysts suffer from quick deactivation due to coking and sintering. Therefore, testing other materials for PCDR is of particular importance. In this regard, Ni-WC/Al2O3 and Ni-WC/MgWO4/MgAl2O4 were investigated as potential PCDR catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by BET, BJH, XRD, CO2-TPD, H2-TPR, SEM, TEM, TG and DTG. The catalytic activity was evaluated in a two-step PCDR process using low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and simulated waste plastic (SWP). The structure of the polymer strongly determines the yields of gas, liquid, and solid products. The highest yield of synthetic gas generation was observed for Ni-WC/MgWO4/MgAl2O4 and was 48.20 ± 2.41 mmol/gp. Different origins of the structural changes including oxidation or coking were observed for different plastics. PCDR of PET led mainly to oxidation, LDPE to the coking deposition. Catalysts after the process with PS were characterized by preservation of crystalline structure. The results indicate a high potential of carbide catalysts in the recovery of gaseous and liquid raw materials.

  • Noise effect on parameters of quiet sonar with code modulation
    • Roman Salamon
    • Jacek Marszal
    • Andrzej Jedel
    2023 Full text Vibrations in Physical Systems

    Earlier publications of the paper authors have shown that the use of code keying mixed with the CW FM sound signal allows the significant reduction in the distance measurement error, compared to classic silent CW FM sonar. In addition to the code modulation parameters, the magnitude of this error is influenced by the received input acoustic noise. The article shows the dependence of the input signal-to-noise ratio and the sound signal parameters on the target distance measurement error and the detection conditions, such as the output signal-to-noise ratio and the side lobe level. The results of the analysis were compared to the same parameters of the CW FM silent sonar without code modulation.

  • Non-destructive Diagnostics of the Floor in the Gdańsk Crane Using Ground Penetrating Radar = Diagnostyka nieniszcząca posadzki w gdańskim Żurawiu z zastosowaniem metody georadarowej
    • Monika Zielińska
    • Magdalena Rucka
    • Erwin Wojtczak
    • Tomasz Ciborowski
    • Michał Steffens
    2023 Full text Wiadomości Konserwatorskie

    This paper presents the results of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey carried out at the Crane in Gdańsk. The measurements were conducted on the floor of the southern and northern towers. The aim of the experiment is to assess the possibility of detecting anomalies beneath the floor. The surveys were carried out in a non-destructive manner, using a georadar unit with 2 GHz and 400/900 MHz antennas. This paper compares the tomographic maps and echograms (B-scans) obtained from both measurements. In view of the ongoing renovation of this monument of great historical importance, it was possible to compare the results obtained with the elements uncovered during the excavation. The paper proves the effectiveness of using the GPR method to detect elements such as wooden beams, pipes, stone substructures or manholes in the ground. The superiority of the 2 GHz antenna was also demonstrated for the detection of deeper elements.

  • Non-ergodic fragmentation upon collision-induced activation of cysteine–water cluster cations
    • Lukas Tiefenthaler
    • Paul Scheier
    • Ewa Erdmann
    • Néstor Aguirre
    • Sergio Díaz-Tendero
    • Thomas F. M. Luxford
    • Jaroslav Kočišek
    2023 Full text PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS

    Cysteine–water cluster cations Cys(H2O)3,6 + and Cys(H2O)3,6H+ are assembled in He droplets and probed by tandem mass spectrometry with collision-induced activation. Benchmark experimental data for this biologically important system are complemented with theory to elucidate the details of the collisioninduced activation process. Experimental energy thresholds for successive release of water are compared to water dissociation energies from DFT calculations showing that clusters do not only fragment exclusively by sequential emission of single water molecules but also by the release of small water clusters. Release of clustered water is observed also in the ADMP (atom centered density matrix propagation) molecular dynamics model of small Cys(H2O)3 + and Cys(H2O)3H+ clusters. For large clusters Cys(H2O)6 + and Cys(H2O)6H+ the less computationally demanding statistical Microcanonical Metropolis Monte–Carlo method (M3C) is used to model the experimental fragmentation patterns. We are able to detail the energy redistribution in clusters upon collision activation. In the present case, about two thirds of the collision energy redistribute via an ergodic process, while the remaining one third is transferred into a non-ergodic channel leading to ejection of a single water molecule from the cluster. In contrast to molecular fragmentation, which can be well described by statistical models, modelling of collisioninduced activation of weakly bound clusters requires inclusion of non-ergodic processes.

  • Nonlinearity shaping in nanostructured glass-diamond hybrid materials for optical fiber preforms
    • Grzegorz Stępniewski
    • Pascal Hänzi
    • Adam Filipkowski
    • Monika Janik
    • Mariusz Mrózek
    • Yuriy Stepanenko
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    • Valerio Romano
    • Alexander Heidt
    • Ryszard Buczyński
    • Mariusz Klimczak
    2023 CARBON

    Nanodiamond integration with optical fibers has proved a compelling methodology for magneto-optics. We reveal that the applicability of nanodiamonds in nonlinear optics goes beyond the previous demonstrations of frequency converters. Instead, we exploit the recently reported volumetric integration of nanodiamonds along the optical fiber core and show that the nonlinear response of glasses can be manipulated by nanodiamonds. By taking the mature z-scan approach we measure the nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction of three dielectric materials containing nanodiamonds in different concentrations and sizes. The work begins with nanodiamond-water suspensions, which offer the advantage of rapidly assessing the dependence of the nonlinear refractive index on the nano-particle concentration and size. Subsequently we investigate two fiber preforms based on silica and soft glass doped with nanodiamonds to evaluate the feasibility of nonlinearity shaping. We achieve a nearly 20% reduction of the nonlinear refractive index of fused silica containing trace amounts of nanodiamonds relative to a pristine reference. The demonstration of such a noticeable impact on the nonlinear response of the key optical material widely accepted by ultrafast optics practitioners provides a guideline for future work on the novel concept of negative nonlinearity fibers, which could disrupt the established chromatic dispersion-nonlinearity landscape.

  • NON-LOCAL VOLUMETRIC APPROACH TO ANALYSIS DEFECT'S SHAPE INFLUENCE ON SPECIMENS DURABILITY SUBJECTED TO BENDING AND TORSION
    • Zbigniew Marciniak
    • Ricardo Branco
    • Rui F. Martins
    • Wojciech Macek
    • Dariusz Rozumek
    2023 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FATIGUE

    The influence of defect features on fatigue behaviour is a complex trivial issue. Although the important advances over the last decades, the dialectical relationship between the defect orientation and durability is not clearly understood. The paper aims at studying the influence of the orientation of elliptical defects on the durability of samples made of C45 steel. Three types of samples with elliptical defects were subjected to cyclic bending and torsion (R = -1) in the form of a one-sided notch oriented at various angles, namely 45, 60 and 90 degrees. The stress analysis was performed using local and non-local methods in order to determine an equivalent stress amplitude. The stress fields surrounding the defects were evaluated via three-dimensional numerical models. Then, the results were compared with the results obtained for smooth samples. The results show that the defect orientation has a higher effect under bending loading than under torsion and that the defects oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the specimen are more detrimental.

  • Non-Nutritive Bioactive Compounds in Food of Plant Origin
    • Barbara Kusznierewicz
    2023

    The increasing knowledge on the health benefits of certain food ingredients, in particular, those of plant origin, opened the discussion of the possibility of using edible plants or their active components in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The health-promoting properties of plant foods are related to the presence of non-nutritive compounds, mainly plant secondary metabolites, which can affect many biological mechanisms critical for the proper functioning of the human body. This chapter presents an overview of the most commonly consumed secondary metabolites found in the food, including phenolics, terpenoids, nitrogen/sulfur-containing compounds such as betalains, purine alkaloids, glucosinolates, and sulfoxides, along with their classification, examples, sources, processing effect, and health benefits.

  • Nonprotein nitrogenous compounds
    • Edyta Malinowska-Pańczyk
    2023

    The non-protein nitrogen (NPN) fraction is an important group of food components for both technological and nutritional reasons. Free amino acids (FAAs), oligopeptides, amines, nucleic acids, and nucleotides, as well as other low-molecular nitrogen-containing components (cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids, thiazoles, oxazoles, pyrroles, and pyrazines), are found in most foods. Their content depends on many factors, starting from the condition of cultivation and breeding, through the method of obtaining, to the hygienic and storage conditions of raw material and finished product, as well as the applied processing technology. NPNs and the compounds formed during their transformation also create the sensory properties of food. Some of them, such as biogenic amines and nitrosamines, can be harmful to human health.

  • Nonstandard Equivalence Scales and their Applications for European Union Countries
    • Stanisław Maciej Kot
    2023

    The aim of this study is twofold. First, we propose new methods of estimating equivalence scales. We call these methods nonstandard to distinguish them from the standard procedures based on the microeconomic theory of demand systems. Searching for the ‘as simple as possible’ method has been a leitmotiv of this study. Second, we estimate various forms of equivalence scales for 28 European Union (EU) member countries and four non-member European countries from 2004 to 2018.

  • Non-toxic fluorine-doped TiO2 nanocrystals from TiOF2 for facet-dependent naproxen degradation
    • Marta Kowalkińska
    • Karol Sikora
    • Marcin Łapiński
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Anna Zielińska-Jurek
    2023 Full text CATALYSIS TODAY

    In the present study, the photocatalytic degradation of naproxen (NPX), which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), frequently detected in drinking water, was investigated. The F-doped TiO2 with defined morphology was successfully obtained from TiOF2 and applied for photocatalytic degradation under UV-vis and visible light. All samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta potential, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analyses. The effect of morphology on the photocatalytic activity of the F-TiO2 nanostructures with exposed {1 0 1}, {0 0 1} and {1 0 0} facets was studied. Octahedral F-TiO2 particles with exposed {1 0 1} facets revealed the highest photocatalytic activity, and degraded 100% of the initial NPX concentration after 40 min of the photodegradation process under simulated solar light (UV-vis). Moreover, this sample exhibited the highest TOC removal and NPX degradation under visible light (>420 nm). Based on HPLC-MS analysis, it was assumed that {0 0 1} facets present in fluorinated decahedral nanostructures promote the formation of a dimer, which further hinders the mineralisation rate. Therefore, decahedral nanostructures exposing {1 0 1} and {0 0 1} facets revealed lower photocatalytic activity than octahedral F-TiO2 particles with exposed {1 0 1} facets, which is also consistent with DFT studies. Finally, toxicity assessment of post-process suspensions using Microtox bioassay confirmed that fluorine-doped octahedral anatase particles are non-toxic, although fluorine ions were the reactants of the synthesis from TiOF2. Overall results showed the possibility of application of highly efficient and environmentally safe fluorine-doped anatase photocatalysts in improved degradation of naproxen.

  • Non-uniqueness of fracture parameter choice in simulations of concrete cracking at mesoscale level
    • Beniamin Kondys
    • Jerzy Bobiński
    • Ireneusz Marzec
    2023 Full text ARCHIVES OF MECHANICS

    In the paper a non-uniqueness of fracture parameter choice in simulations of cracking process in plain concrete specimens at mesoscale level under monotonic static loading is analysed. The Finite Element Method is used, where cracks are defined in a discrete way using interface cohesive elements with nonlinear material law including softening. The concrete mesostructure (such as: cement matrix, air voids, aggregates, and Interfacial Transitions Zones (ITZ)) is taken into account. Two benchmarks: Montevideo splitting test (MVD) as a main test and the three-point beam bending test (TPBT) as an auxiliary problem are simulated. Results from 2D calculations are compared with experimental outcomes, especially force-crack opening curves and crack patterns are carefully studied. In the MVD test, the mesostructure of a specimen is taken from X-ray micro-computed tomography scans of real samples. The issue of the proper selection of material parameters for cohesive cracks is investigated. The ambiguity of such a process is presented and discussed. It turns out the numerical simulations can give the same outcome for different values of material parameters. The influence of the selected material parameters and the friction coefficient on results (force–crack opening curves and crack patterns) is also analysed.

  • Novel 2-alkythio-4-chloro-N-[imino(heteroaryl)methyl]benzenesulfonamide Derivatives: Synthesis, Molecular Structure, Anticancer Activity and Metabolic Stability
    • Beata Żołnowska
    • Jarosław Sławiński
    • Mariusz Belka
    • Tomasz Baczek
    • Jarosław Chojnacki
    • Anna Kawiak
    2023 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES

    A series of novel 2-alkythio-4-chloro-N-[imino-(heteroaryl)methyl]benzenesulfonamide derivatives, 8–24, were synthesized in the reaction of the N-(benzenesulfonyl)cyanamide potassium salts 1–7 with the appropriate mercaptoheterocycles. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity in HeLa, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines. The most promising compounds, 11–13, molecular hybrids containing benzenesulfonamide and imidazole moieties, selectively showed a high cytotoxic effect in HeLa cancer cells (IC50: 6–7 uM) and exhibited about three times less cytotoxicity against the non-tumor cell line HaCaT cells (IC50: 18–20 uM). It was found that the anti-proliferative effects of 11, 12 and 13 were associated with their ability to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. The compounds increased the early apoptotic population of cells, elevated the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis through caspase activation in HeLa cells. For the most active compounds, susceptibility to undergo first-phase oxidation reactions in human liver microsomes was assessed. The results of the in vitro metabolic stability experiments indicated values of the factor t12 for 11–13 in the range of 9.1–20.3 min and suggested the hypothetical oxidation of these compounds to sulfenic and subsequently sulfinic acids as metabolites.

  • Novel Investigation of Higher Order Spectral Technologies for Fault Diagnosis of Motor-Based Rotating Machinery
    • Tomasz Ciszewski
    • Len Gelman
    • Andrew Ball
    • Abdulmumeen Onimisi Abdullahi
    • Biebele Jamabo
    • Michał Ziółko
    2023 Full text SENSORS

    In the last decade, research centered around the fault diagnosis of rotating machinery using non-contact techniques has been significantly on the rise. For the first time worldwide, innovative techniques for the diagnosis of rotating machinery, based on electrical motors, including generic, nonlinear, higher-order cross-correlations of spectral moduli of the third and fourth order (CCSM3 and CCSM4, respectively), have been comprehensively validated by modeling and experiments. The existing higher-order cross-correlations of complex spectra are not sufficiently effective for the fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. The novel technology CCSM3 was comprehensively experimentally validated for induction motor bearing diagnosis via motor current signals. Experimental results, provided by the validated technology, confirmed high overall probabilities of correct diagnosis for bearings at early stages of damage development. The novel diagnosis technologies were compared with existing diagnosis technologies, based on triple and fourth cross-correlations of the complex spectra. The comprehensive validation and comparison of the novel cross-correlation technologies confirmed an important non-traditional novel outcome: the technologies based on cross-correlations of spectral moduli were more effective for damage diagnosis than the technologies based on crosscorrelations of the complex spectra. Experimental and simulation validations confirmed a high probability of correct diagnosis via the CCSM at the early stage of fault development. The average total probability of incorrect diagnosis for the CCSM3 for all experimental results of 8 tested bearings, estimated via 6528 diagnostic features, was 1.475%. The effectiveness gains in the total probability of incorrect diagnosis for the CCSM3 in comparison with the CCCS3 were 26.8 for the experimental validation and 18.9 for the simulation validation. The effectiveness gains in the Fisher criterion for the CCSM3 in comparison with the CCCS3 were 50.7 for the simulation validation and 104.7 for the experimental validation.

  • Novel sugar-based nickel-tungsten carbide catalysts for dry reforming of hydrocarbons
    • Izabela Wysocka
    • Natalia Czaplicka
    • Ewelina Pawelczyk
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Joanna Sobczak
    • Zuzanna Bielan
    • Michał Maciejewski
    • Barbara Kościelska
    • Andrzej Rogala
    2023 JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

    The search for new materials for dry reforming of hydrocarbons with high activity, stability, and ease of synthesis is still one of the main directions of research in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Traditional methods of carbide synthesis require the use of combustible gases of petrochemical origin. The search for new catalysts based on renewable and safe carbon sources is highly demanded. Therefore, we report WC and Ni-WC catalysts prepared using glucose, sucrose, fructose and trehalose. The materials were characterized using XRD, AAS, H2-TPR, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, CO2- TPD, TG/DTG BET and BJH methods. The catalytic activity was investigated in the dry reforming of methane and plastics. The sugar type used for the preparation determined crystal structure and therefore catalytic properties of Ni-WC catalysts. The most active and stable catalyst was prepared using sucrose. It was observed that catalysts obtained with the use of sugars containing fructose in their structure are characterized by smaller WC and Ni crystallites, which have a direct impact on high catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of the most active catalyst Ni-WC_S was examined in the dry reforming of plastics.The highest syngas generation was observed for low-density polyethylene reforming reaching 75.58 mmol/g plastic.

  • Novel Tools for Comprehensive Functional Analysis of LDLR (Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor) Variants
    • Jacek Jasiecki
    • Monika Targońska
    • Anna Janaszak-Jasiecka
    • Magdalena Chmara
    • Monika Żuk
    • Leszek Kalinowski
    • Krzysztof Waleron
    • Bartosz Wasąg
    2023 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES

    Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant disorder caused mainly by substitutions in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene, leading to an increased risk of premature cardiovascular diseases. Tremendous advances in sequencing techniques have resulted in the discovery of more than 3000 variants of the LDLR gene, but not all of them are clinically relevant. Therefore, functional studies of selected variants are needed for their proper classification. Here, a single-cell, kinetic, fluorescent LDL uptake assay was applied for the functional analysis of LDLR variants in a model of an LDLR-deficient human cell line. An LDLR-defective HEK293T cell line was established via a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated luciferase–puromycin knock-in. The expressing vector with the LDLR gene under the control of the regulated promoter and with a reporter gene has been designed to overproduce LDLR variants in the host cell. Moreover, an LDLR promoter–luciferase knock-in reporter system has been created in the human cell line to study transcriptional regulation of the LDLR gene, which can serve as a simple tool for screening and testing new HMG CoA reductase-inhibiting drugs for atherosclerosis therapy. The data presented here demonstrate that the obtained LDLR-deficient human cell line HEK293T-ldlrG1 and the dedicated pTetRedLDLRwt expression vector are valuable tools for studying LDL internalization and functional analysis of LDLR and its genetic variants. Using appropriate equipment, LDL uptake to a single cell can be measured in real time. Moreover, the luciferase gene knock-in downstream of the LDLR promotor allows the study of promoter regulation in response to diverse conditions or drugs. An analysis of four known LDLR variants previously classified as pathogenic and benign was performed to validate the LDLR-expressing system described herein with the dedicated LDLR-deficient human cell line, HEK293T-ldlrG1.

  • Novel Versatile Topologies and Design Optimization of Wide-Bandstop Frequency Selective Surfaces for X-Band, Ku-Band and Millimeter-Wave Applications
    • Rao Aziz
    • Sławomir Kozieł
    • Leifur Leifsson
    • Stanisław Szczepański
    2023 Full text Scientific Reports

    Novel designs of frequency selective surface (FSS) are presented for wideband applications in X, Ku and mmWave (millimeter Wave) bands. Two identical metallic layers of FSS are imprinted on both sides of the RO4003 substrate. The geometry parameters are optimized to maximize the bandstop at the specified in-band maximum transmission level of –10 dB; satisfaction of the latter condition is enforced through appropriate formulation and handling of the design constraints. The proposed structure is versatile and can be readily re-designed for various operating bands. For the sake of illustration, two instances of the FSS were developed. Design 1 exhibits broad bandstop of 9.8 GHz at the X- and Ku-bands, whereas the bandstop of Design 2 is 33.5 GHz at the mmWave band. The two FSS unit cell designs share the same base topology, but specific dimensions are adjusted to operate within the lower and the higher bands, respectively. The unit cell is symmetrical, therefore, ensures an excellent resonance stability performance with respect to different polarizations (TE and TM) and incidence angles. For proof of concept only FSS Design 1 is fabricated and measured in an anechoic chamber. The simulated and measured results exhibit good agreement. Extensive benchmarking against state-of-the-art FSS designs from the literature corroborates the advantages of the proposed topology in terms of design novelty, topological versatility, compact size, and wide bandstop response as compared to the previously available designs.

  • Nowe protokoły transportowe w sieciach IP. Analiza porównawcza wybranych mechanizmów w protokołach SCTP i QUIC
    • Józef Woźniak
    2023 Full text Przegląd Telekomunikacyjny + Wiadomości Telekomunikacyjne

    Zestaw protokolarny TCP/IP opisuje podstawową koncepcję organizacji pracy Internetu. Z tej racji jest przedmiotem zainteresowania oraz stałych analiz zarówno operatorów, użytkowników, jak też badaczy zagadnień sieciowych, a wreszcie i projektantów, by reagować na pojawiające się nowe potrzeby. Działania takie, przynajmniej częściowo, są wymuszane zarówno przez wymagania nowych multimedialnych aplikacji - na najwyższym poziomie architektury sieciowej, jak też zupełnie nowe możliwości realizacji przekazów - związane z nowymi technologiami transmisyjnymi i technikami odbioru, pozwalającymi, przykładowo na zrównoleglenie przekazów, czy też bezstratne przełączanie pomiędzy kilkoma interfejsami. W artykule pokrótce zasygnalizowano oczekiwania i wymagania związane, w szczególności z nowymi „wielobiektowymi” aplikacjami, jak też ograniczenia wynikające z ogromnej bezwładności, obserwowanej po stronie infrastruktury transportowej sieci IP. Mając na uwadze wspomniane uwarunkowania dokonano charakterystyki wybranych protokołów transportowych typu end-to-end, poświęcając główną uwagę dwóm protokołom realizującym przekazy wielostrumieniowe, a mianowicie SCTP oraz QUIC. Zaprezentowano zarówno wykorzystywane w obu protokołach struktury danych, jak też porównano podstawowe procedury związane z ich pracą. Dokonano też zestawienia cech charakterystycznych obu protokołów, wskazując na zakres ich użyteczności oraz scenariusze użycia.

  • Nowe wyzwania, nowe rozwiązania. Jak przedsiębiorstwo branży IT odnajduje się w erze VUCA?
    • Jakub Majewski
    • Krzysztof Leja
    2023 Full text e-mentor

    Zmienność, niepewność, złożoność i niejednoznaczność, określane akronimem VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) towarzyszą funkcjonowaniu każdego przedsiębiorstwa. Jak wykorzystać te nieodłączne cechy otoczenia przedsiębiorstw jako szanse dla ich rozwoju to wy-zwania stojące przed nimi, a zarazem pytanie badawcze artykułu. Celem artykułu jest wykazanie, na przykładzie przedsiębiorstwa branży IT, że analiza zmienności, niepewności, złożoności i nie-jednoznaczności pozwala na zidentyfikowanie kompetencji niezbędnych, aby zagrożenia wykorzystać jako szansę doskonalenia przedsiębiorstwa. Artykuł został opracowany w ujęciu jakościowym. Składają się na nie obserwacja uczestnicząca jednego z Autorów z wykorzystaniem narzędzi umożliwiających diagnozę badanego przedsiębiorstwa z perspektywy cech określanych akronimem VUCA oraz ocena kompetencji, które pozwolą zagrożenia wykorzystać jako szanse. Punktem wyjścia diagnozy jest zwięzły przegląd literatury światowej dotyczącej organizacji w erze VUCA. Podjęta problematyka jest zdaniem Autorów ważna dla przedsiębiorstw różnych branż, dlatego wykorzystane w artykule metody i narzędzia badawcze mogą być pomocne także do diagnozy innych firm, jednak wyniki obecnych analiz nie uprawniają do uogólnień.

  • Nowy algorytm rozszerzania bazy w arytmetyce resztowej
    • Robert Smyk
    • Maciej Czyżak
    2023 Full text

    W artykule przedstawiono nowy algorytm rozszerzania bazy w resztowym systemie liczbowym bez użycia nadmiarowego modułu. Rozszerzanie bazy jest kluczową operacją w wielu zastosowaniach, gdzie używany jest resztowy system liczbowy, takich jak cyfrowe przetwarzanie sygnałów, jak też implementacja systemu szyfrowania algorytmem Rivesta-Shamira-Adlemana (RSA). Ortogonalne projekcje występujące w chińskim twierdzeniu o resztach, dla modułu, o który jest rozszerzana baza systemu resztowego, przechowywane są w niewielkich pamięciach typu ROM (ang. Read-Only Memory) w formie resztowej. Projekcje te są sumowane w sumatorze binarnym i otrzymana suma jest redukowana dla modułu, o który rozszerzana jest baza. Metoda wykorzystuje nowy i efektywny algorytm obliczania współczynnika nadmiaru w chińskim twierdzeniu o resztach. Metoda umożliwia wielokrotną redukcję złożoności sprzętowej.

  • Numerical Analysis of Seismic Pounding between Adjacent Buildings Accounting for SSI
    • Mehmet Eren Uz
    • Anna Jakubczyk-Gałczyńska
    • Robert Jankowski
    2023 Full text Applied Sciences-Basel

    The structural pounding caused by an earthquake may damage structures and lead to their collapse. This study is focused on the pounding between two adjacent asymmetric structures with different dynamic properties resting on the surface of an elastic half-space. An exploration of the relationship between the effects of the seismic analysis with the impact response to the torsional pounding between adjacent buildings under different SSI effects has been presented. In this paper, the authors have proposed a procedure for analyzing the response for adjacent buildings subjected to the pounding effects, considering systems with multiple degrees of freedom and modal equations of motion with four types of soil. All the calculations have been performed based on the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The novelty of the present study is related to the fact that the rigorous and approximate methods are used to examine the effects of pounding and SSI simultaneously. As a result, these two methods have been thoroughly investigated for both effects and the results have been compared. The results show that the approximate method produces results that are slightly different from those obtained by the rigorous direct integration method in the case of small SSI effects due to an increase in the pounding force. The efficiency of the method is also validated using numerical examples.

  • Numerical analysis of the ostiomeatal complex aeration using the CFD method
    • Dmitry Tretiakow
    • Krzysztof Tesch
    • Karolina Markiet
    • Tomasz Przewoźny
    • Aida Kusiak
    • Dominika Cichońska
    • Andrzej Skorek
    2023 Full text Scientific Reports

    We aimed to analyse ostiomeatal complex (OMC) aeration using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method of simulation based on human craniofacial computed tomography (CT) scans. The analysis was based on CT images of 2 patients: one with normal nose anatomy and one with nasal septal deviation (NSD). The Reynolds-Average Simulation approach and turbulence model based on linear eddy viscosity supplemented with the two-equation k- ω SST model were used for the CFD simulation. As a result, we found differences in airflow velocity through the ostiomeatal complex in patients with a normal nose and those with NSD. In a patient with NSD, the flow is turbulent in contrast to the normal nose (laminar flow). A faster (more intensive) airflow through the OMC was observed in the wider nasal cavity of the patient with NSD than on the narrower side. In addition, we want to emphasise the higher speed of airflow through the apex uncinate process area towards the ostiomeatal complex during exhalation, which, in the presence of secretions in the nose, predisposes to its easier penetration into the sinuses of the anterior group.

  • Numerical Analysis of Turbulent Flow over a Backward-facing Step in an Open Channel
    • Bala Kawa M. Saleem
    • Andam Mustafa
    • Dalshad Ahmed Kareem
    • Mehmet Ishak Yüce
    • Michał Szydłowski
    2023 Full text Archives of Hydro-Engineering and Environmental Mechanics

    Computational examinations of the flow field in an open channel having a single Backward--Facing Step (BFS) with a constant water depth of 1.5 m were performed. The effects of the expansion ratio, and the flow velocity along the reattachment length, were investigated by employing two different expansion ratios of 1.5 and 2, and eight various flow velocities of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5 and 10 m/sec in the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations. Commercially available CFD software, ANSYS FLUENT, was used for calculations. The simulation outcomes were verified using experimental results. Moreover, analyses were performed by using two equation turbulence closure models, K-ε family (standard, RNG and realizable), and K-ω family (Wilcox’s and SST K-ω). The analyses have revealed that the reattachment length increases with an increase in the expansion ratio, the flow velocity and the Reynolds number. The results obtained for two expansion rates and eight different flow velocities have shown insignificant differences between one turbulence closure model and the others. Furthermore, it was observed that both velocity and expansion ratios have an effect on the reattachment zone size.

  • Numerical and Clinical Analysis of an Eyeball Injuries under Direc Impact
    • Mateusz Koberda
    • Andrzej Skorek
    • Paweł Kłosowski
    • Marcin Zmuda Trzebiatowski
    • Krzysztof Żerdzicki
    • Paweł Lemski
    • Urszula Stodolska-Koberda
    2023 Full text International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

    Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop a numerical model of the eyeball and orbit to simulate a blunt injury to the eyeball leading to its rupture, as well as to conduct a comparative analysis of the results obtained using the finite element method against the clinical material concerning patients who had suffered an eyeball rupture due to a blunt force trauma. Material and Methods: Using available sclera biometric and strength data, a numerical model of the eyeball, the orbital contents, and the bony walls were developed from the ground up. Then, 8 different blunt force injury scenarios were simulated. The results of numerical analyses made it possible to identify possible locations and configurations of scleral rupture. The obtained results were compared against the clinical picture of patients hospitalized at the Department of Ophtalmology, Medical University of Gdańsk in 2010–2016 due to isolated blunt force trauma to the eyeball. Results: It has been demonstrated that the extent of damage observed on the numerical model that indicated a possible location of eyeball rupture did not differ from the clinically observed configurations of the scleral injuries. It has been found that the direction of the impact applied determines the location of eyeball rupture. Most often the rupture occurs at the point opposite to the clock-hour/positions of the impact application. The eyeball rupture occurs in the first 7–8 ms after the contact with the striking rigid object. It has been established that the injuries most often affected the upper sectors of the eyeball. Men are definitely more likely to sustain such injuries. Eyeball ruptures lead to significant impairment of visual acuity. Conclusions: This study may contribute to a better understanding of injury mechanisms and better treatment planning. It may also contribute to the development of eyeball protection methods for employees exposed to ocular injuries.

  • Numerical and experimental investigation of guided ultrasonic wave propagation in non-uniform plates with structural phase variations
    • Beata Zima
    • Jochen Moll
    2023 Full text ULTRASONICS

    The article presents the results of numerical and experimental investigations of guided wave propagation in aluminum plates with variable thickness. The shapes of plate surfaces have been specially designed and manufactured using a CNC milling machine. The shapes of the plates were defined by sinusoidal functions varying in phase shift, which forced the changes in thickness variability alongside the propagation path. The main aim of the study is to analyze the wave propagation characteristics caused by non-uniform thickness. In the first step, the influence of thickness variability on the time course of propagating waves has been analyzed theoretically. The study proves that the wave propagation signals can be determined based on knowledge about the statistical description of the specimen geometry. The histograms of thickness distribution together with the a priori knowledge of the dispersion curves were used to develop an iterative procedure assuming that the signal from the previous step becomes the excitation in the next step. Such an approach allowed for taking into account the complex geometry of the plate and rejecting the assumption about the constant average thickness alongside the propagation path. In consequence, it was possible to predict correctly the signal time course, as well as the time of flight and number of propagating wave modes in specimens with variable thickness. It is demonstrated that theoretical signals predicted in this way coincide well with numerical and experimental results. Moreover, the novel procedure allowed for the correct prediction of the occurrence of higher-order modes.

  • Numerical and quantitative analysis of HIV/AIDS model with modified Atangana-Baleanu in Caputo sense derivative
    • Muhammad Farman
    • Saba Jamil
    • Muhammad Riaz
    • Muhammad Azeem
    • Muhammad Umer Saleem
    2023 Full text Alexandria Engineering Journal

    Fractional calculus plays an important role in the development of control strategies, the study of the dynamical transmission of diseases, and some other real-life problems nowadays. The time-fractional HIV/AIDS model is examined using a novel method in this paper. Based on the Atangana-concept Baleanu’s of a derivative in the Caputo sense, the current modified fractional derivative operator uses singular and non-local kernels. This new modified fractional operator is given a numerical approximation and applied to the HIV/AIDS model. In the presence of this novel operator, we present some significant analysis for the HIV/AIDS epidemic model. The uniqueness and stability criteria of the model have been demonstrated using the Picard successive approxima- tion approach and Banach’s fixed point theory. The Laplace Adomian decomposition method (LADM) was used to obtain the numerical solution for the modified Atangana-Baleanu Caputo derivative model. The convergence analysis is verified for the proposed scheme. Finally, numerical results and simulations are derived with the proposed scheme for HIV/AIDS model. On the dynam- ics of HIV/AIDS transmission, the effects of many biological parameters are examined

  • Numerical model of human head phantom to ensure dosimetry of dose components for boron neutron capture therapy
    • Edyta Michaś
    • Katarzyna Tymińska
    • Michał A Gryzińaki
    • Janusz Kocik Janusz
    • Ryszard Barczyński
    2023 Full text RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY

    Extremely important aspects of the boron neutron capture therapy are, first of all, administering to the patient a boron compound that selectively reaches the neoplastic cells, and in the second step, the verification of the irradiation process. This paper focuses on the latter aspect, which is the detailed dosimetry of the processes occurring after the reaction of thermal neutrons with the boron-10 isotope. The results of computer simulations with the use of a new type of human head phantom filled with a polymer dosimetric gel will be presented in this article.

  • Numerical modeling of quantum dynamical processes
    • Jan Kozicki
    2023 Full text

    In this dissertation I present a high-precision (15, 18 or 33 decimal places) C++ implementation of quantum dynamics time propagation algorithms for both time-independent and time-dependent Hamiltonian with an inhomogeneous source term. Moreover I present an extension of both algorithms for time propagation to handle arbitrary number of coupled electronic levels. I have performed a careful validation of these implementations comparing my results with numerous reference results such as: a forced harmonic oscillator with an inhomogeneous source term or an atom in an intense laser field. Next, I apply these new algorithms to calculate the rovibrational predissociation in the KLi molecule and compare it with experiment. In doing so I have shown that the KLi quasi-bound state decays exponentially in time and I have described a robust method to calculating the widths of quasi-bound vibrational levels. Also I have calculated the decay in the NaRb dimer using three coupled electronic states. I have performed a fit of this decay to a modified power-law and I have shown that this fit is better than a fit to the exponential decay. I hope that those results are of considerable relevance to the design of experiments.

  • Numerical simulation of cold flow and combustion in a swirl stabilized combustor
    • Milad Amiri
    • Paweł Ziółkowski
    • Kamil Stasiak
    • Mario Ditaranto
    • Samuel Wiseman
    • Dariusz Mikielewicz
    2023

    A numerical simulation model was developed to investigate the cold flow and combustion using Ansys FLUENT 2021R1. The governing equations were solved using the pressure-based method, and pressure–velocity coupling was performed using the SIMPLE method. To model the turbulent process, the RSM model was used. Non-premixed model is chosen to solve the chemical kinetics between fuel and oxigen. Radiation heat transfer was calculated using the DO model, suitable for complex geometries and high optical thickness of radiation mediums while maintaining computational efficiency. The turbulent kinetic energy equation and turbulent dissipation rate equation used a first-order upwind scheme, while the other governing equations employed a second-order upwind scheme. 1.2. Governing equations The flow investigated in this paper obeys three fundamental physical laws: mass conservation, momentum conservation and energy conservation [1]. 1.2.1 Turbulence and Combustion models Since the RSM model accounts for the effects of streamline curvature, swirl, rotation, and rapid changes in strain rate, it has greater potential to give accurate predictions for complex flows. The non-premixed combustion model application scenario is a turbulent diffusion flame, where the oxide and fuel pass through multiple flow paths into the computational region. The transport equation for non-premixed combustion is shown in eq. (1): ∂/∂t (ρf ̅ )+∇.(ρ(vf) ̅ )=∇(μ_t/σ_t ∇f ̅ )+S_m+S_user (1) where ρ denotes the fluid density, v is the average velocity, μ_t denotes the turbulent viscosity, σ_t denotes the equivalent of Pr number, S_m denotes the mass of liquid fuel spray or reaction particles into the gas phase, S_user shows the source items. 1.2.2 Radiation model DO model is adopted as the radiation model for numerical simulation in this paper. DO model equation is shown in eq. (2) [2]. (dI(r ⃗,s ⃗))/ds+(a+σ_s )I(r ⃗,s ⃗ )=an^2 (σT^4)/π+σ_s/4π ∫_0^4π▒〖I(r ⃗,s ⃗ )Φ s ⃗,(s^' ) ⃗)dΩ^' 〗 (2) where r ⃗, s ⃗,s,a,n,σ_s I and T denote the position vector, the scattering direction, the length along the journey, the absorption coefficient, the refraction coefficient, the scattering coefficient, the Stefan Boltzmann's constant (5.67*10–8 W/ (m2⋅K4)), scattering intensity and temperature, respectively. Φ and Ω illustrate the phase function and spatial stereo angle.

  • Numerical simulation of temperature distribution of heat flow on reservoir tanks connected in a series
    • Kazeem Falade Iyanda
    • Hadi Rezazadeh
    • Mustafa Inc
    • Ali Akgül
    • Mujitaba Ibrahim Bshiru
    • Muhammad Bilal Hafeez
    • Marek Krawczuk
    2023 Full text Alexandria Engineering Journal

    The flow of temperature distribution through a medium in thermodynamic studies plays an important role in understanding physical phenomena in chemical science and petroleum engineering, while temperature distribution indicates the degree of reaction that must be undergone to obtain the final product. Therefore, this paper aims to present and apply the exponential matrix algorithm (EMA), differential transformation algorithm (DTA), and Runge-Kutta (RK5) to simulate the temperature distribution in five heating tanks in series. successive preheating of multicomponent oil solutions. A mathematical model of the energy balance equations of the reservoir is considered. Two computer experiments were performed to test and investigate the relationship between two constant parameters appearing in the model. Numerical simulation of saturated steam temperature of 500 °C and 1000 °C used to heat the tanks and initial temperature of the first tank feed oil are considered. The fluids in the reservoirs were considered homogeneous throughout the experiment and changes in the cell configuration at two constant parameters were presented in the 2D plot control with the use of the MAPLE 18 software package. The study revealed the nature of the temperature distribution that the higher temperature distribution is obtained when heat is transferred from the first tank to the fifth tank and the reverse reaction occurs in all five reservoirs when ψ = 0.0025 and ω = 0.0025 respectively. Numerical results obtained are prototypes of oil temperature distribution performed under laboratory conditions in a thermodynamic experiment.

  • O07 Filaggrin insufficiency renders keratinocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles capable of affecting CD1a-mediated T-cell responses and promoting allergic inflammation
    • Adrian Kobiela
    • Weronika Hewelt-Belka
    • Joanna Frackowiak
    • Natalia Kordulewska
    • Lilit Hovhannisyan
    • Aleksandra Bogucka
    • Rachel Etherington
    • Artur Pirog
    • Irena Dapic
    • Susanne Gabrielsson
    • Sara Brown
    • Graham Ogg
    • Danuta Gutowska-Owsiak
    2023 BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY

    The association between FLG loss-of-function mutations and the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) indicates that filaggrin is critical to skin barrier function; the mutations are also linked to additional allergic manifestations, but it is unknown how the skin may influence inflammation in distant tissues. Here we investigated the impact of filaggrin insufficiency on keratinocyte-derived exosome-enriched small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and found that those secreted by filaggrin-knockdown cells are extensively remodelled as a consequence of the abnormal keratinocyte differentiation process. The altered sEV lipidome changes the sEV capacity to promote T-cell responses by direct effect on self-lipid neoantigen generation, modulating the content of permissive (stimulatory) and nonpermissive (inhibitory) CD1a ligands released from the sEV membranes by phospholipase A2. Presentation of those lipids to T cells results in the redirection from a type 1 to a type 2 response. We found that the aberrant sEV lipid composition mirrors a generalized remodelling of cellular lipids resulting from dysregulated expression of multiple enzymes of lipid metabolic pathways, observed both in filaggrin knockdown keratinocytes in vitro and in the skin of patients with AD. Hence, filaggrin insufficiency background renders keratinocytes capable of supplying CD1a ligands which are capable of impeding both homeostasis-promoting and protective antimicrobial responses, enhancing type 2 T-cell activation to perpetuate inflammation in AD skin. sEV transfer by systemic circulation may promote similar effects in distant tissues.

  • Ocena przekształceń piętrowego, ceglanego domu z dachem półpłaskim z przełomu XIX–XX wieku pod wpływem termomodernizacji na przykładzie gminy Puck, woj. pomorskie.
    • Magdalena Szarejko
    • Anna Górka
    2023 Full text Wiadomości Konserwatorskie

    Ceglane budynki mieszkalne z przełomu XIX i XX wieku, które stanowiły charakterystyczny element krajobrazu wsi pomorskiej, obecnie powszechnie poddawane są modernizacji w celu poprawy warunków cieplnych. Przedmiotem badania jest stan zachowania najmłodszego, historycznego typu domuw zagrodzie chłopskiej na Kaszubach – piętrowego, ceglanego domu z dachem półpłaskim. Badanie przeprowadzono na obszarze gminy Puck. Zidentyfikowano i opisano 42 obiekty w 16 miejscowościach. Ponadto zaproponowano metodę klasyfikacji i oceny zmian architektonicznych pod wpływem termomodernizacji. Rezultaty potwierdziły znaczną skalę przekształceń: zaledwie dwa obiekty zachowały się bez zmian, podczas gdy 67% jest częściowo lub znacznie przekształconych. Uzyskane wyniki dowodzą trwałości wiejskich, historycznych budynków ceglanych oraz potrzeby poszukiwania i popularyzacji rozwiązań termomodernizacyjnych spełniających warunki ich ochrony

  • OCENA WŁAŚCIWOŚCI STALI STOSOWANEJ W STARYCH OBIEKTACH KOLEJOWYCH
    • Andrzej Ambroziak
    • Maciej Malinowski
    2023

    The scope of the paper is to give an introduction to the assessment subject matter of steel properties used in old railway bridges. The mechanical and chemical properties of construction steel extracted from old steel bridges are generally investigated by tensile tests, impact tests through the Charpy pendulum impact V-notch, and an optical emission spectrometer. Besides descriptions of the tests, the chosen chemical and mechanical properties of old steels are also given. The paper begins with a wide survey of literature carried out on the investigation of railway bridge and bridge engineering subject matter. This paper can provide scientists, engineers, and designers with an introduction to the assessment of the mechanical and chemical steel properties used in old railway bridges.

  • Ocena wpływu dawki DME na wybrane wskaźniki procesu spalania w dwupaliwowym silniku o zapłonie samoczynnym
    • Denys Stepanenko
    2023 Full text

    Przedmiotem rozprawy jest analiza wpływu różnej ilości odparowanego DME wprowadzonego do kolektora dolotowego na wybrane wskaźniki spalania DME/ON dla wielu punktów pracy, turbodoładowanego silnika o zapłonie samoczynnym. Jako punkty pracy silnika, wybrano punkty najbardziej reprezentujące cykl jazdy WLTP dla samochodu Volkswagen Golf IV. Analizę procesu współspalania przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem danych pomiarowych, uzyskanych podczas badań silnika spalinowego na hydraulicznej hamowni silnikowej. W pierwszej części pracy omówione zostały wiadomości wstępne i pojęcia podstawowe o silnikach spalinowych oraz sposoby stosowania DME jako paliwa alternatywnego. Następnie omówiono metodę kalibracji dwupaliwowej jednostki sterującej do możliwości zasilania i pracy konwencjonalnego silnika ZS w trybie dwupaliwowym. Kolejna część pracy przedstawia metodę przeprowadzenia badań eksperymentalnych wraz z opisem dokonanych zmian w konstrukcji silnika do możliwości zasilania dwupaliwowego. Do wyznaczenia punktów pracy silnika na podstawie przebiegu prędkości pojazdu w funkcji czasu, została zaproponowana metoda tzw. ‘wstecznego obliczenia’ realizowana za pomocą wzdłużnej dynamiki pojazdu i grupowania metodą gęstości czasowej. Jako pomocne narzędzie analizy procesów zachodzących wewnątrz cylindra podczas spalania opracowano zerowymiarowy numeryczny model w komercyjnym programie Wave firmy Ricardo. Kalibracja modelu numerycznego została omówiona w odpowiedniej części pracy. W ostatnim rozdziale zaprezentowano wyniki obszernych badań poświęconych ocenie wpływu różnych współczynników substytucji od 0% DME do ~30% DME w mieszance paliwowej na charakter procesu spalania i emisyjność dwupaliwowego silnika ZS. Ostatnim etapem niniejszej rozprawy jest statystyczna analiza zmienności (ANOVA) poprzez ocenę poziomu istotności wpływu różnych stosunków substytucji (czynnika) na wybrane wskaźniki spalania. Następnie, zastosowano analizę przebiegu funkcji regresji w celu określenia wpływu czynnika na obserwowane parametry.

  • Ocena wpływu drgań komunikacyjnych na budynki za pomocą maszynowego uczenia
    • Anna Jakubczyk-Gałczyńska
    2023 Full text Materiały Budowlane

    Drgania komunikacyjne mogą powodować spękania tynków, zarysowania a nawet zawalenie się budynku. Pomiary na rzeczywistych obiektach są pracochłonne i kosztowne, a nie zawsze uzasadnione. Celem jest utworzenie modelu, dzięki któremu można przewidzieć zagrożenie szkodliwego oddziaływania drgań komunikacyjnych na budynek. Po przeprowadzeniu własnych badań pomiarowych oraz analizie literatury utworzono model oparty na Maszynach Wektorów Wspierających, uwzględniając następujące czynniki: stan budynku, odległość budynku od krawędzi drogi, absorpcję gruntu, typ nawierzchni, stan nawierzchni oraz rodzaj pojazdu. Wyniki analiz pokazują, iż uczenie maszynowe jest obiecującym narzędziem w prognozowaniu wpływu drgań komunikacyjnych na budynki odznaczając się dużą wiarygodnością, nawet ponad 84%.

  • Ocena wpływu pokarmowych kwasów nukleinowych i ich komponentów na replikacyjną i naprawczą syntezę DNA w modelach komórek ludzkiego układu pokarmowego
    • Zuzanna Koziara
    2023 Full text

    Kwasy nukleinowe, do których należą DNA i RNA, są podstawowymi elementami każdej komórki niezbędnymi do prawidłowego funkcjonowania organizmu. Pomimo, że cząsteczki te stanowią również nieodłączne składniki produktów żywnościowych spożywanych przez człowieka, to badania na temat ich zawartości w żywności oraz wartości odżywczej są ograniczone. Wyniki uzyskane w niniejszej pracy doktorskiej pokazały istotne różnice w ilości, wielkości i rozmieszczeniu jąder komórkowych, a także stopniu fragmentacji DNA w produktach żywnościowych. Wyizolowane z badanych produktów kwasy nukleinowe oraz pojedyncze nukleozydy miały wpływ na pobudzenie wzrostu komórek ludzkiego układu pokarmowego w obecności inhibitora syntezy replikacyjnej DNA, czego nie zaobserwowano w warunkach niezaburzonego procesu syntezy. Dodatek badanych związków nie wpłynął na zmniejszenie fragmentacji DNA komórek HT29 wywołanej H2O2 w obecności kofeiny. Uzyskane wyniki potwierdziły, że komórki układu pokarmowego są w stanie korzystać z egzogennych, pochodzących z żywności kwasów nukleinowych oraz ich prekursorów, tym samym wskazując na celowość uznania ich za odżywczy składnik żywności.

  • Ocena wpływu wybranych parametrów materiałowych i technologicznych dybli na zachowanie nawierzchni z betonu cementowego
    • Maksymilian Łazarowicz
    • Jacek Krzemiński
    • Piotr Jaskuła
    2023 Full text Inżynieria i Budownictwo

    W ostatnich 10 latach zauważono znaczny wzrost zastosowania nawierzchni z betonu cementowego w krajowej sieci dróg szybkiego ruchu. Wiodące wśród nawierzchni z betonu cementowego są nawierzchnie dyblowane i kotwione. Cechą charakterystyczną tego rozwiązania jest podzielenie jednorodnej nawierzchni na szereg płyt poprzez wykonanie poprzecznych i podłużnych szczelin dylatacyjnych. Ich zadaniem jest zapobiegnięcie powstawaniu losowych spękań skurczowych. Wbudowanie dybli i kotew zwiększa możliwość przenoszenia obciążenia drogowego określanego miarą współpracy płyt, a także zapewnia im swobodny ruch spowodowany obciążeniem termicznym. Prawidłowa praca dybli zależy od sposobu ich osadzenia, materiału, z jakiego zostały wykonane, czy parametrów geometrycznych jak długość, średnica czy kształt przekroju. W artykule dokonano przeglądu literaturowego mającego na celu określenie wpływu parametrów dybli na zachowanie się nawierzchni z betonu cementowego.

  • Ocena wpływu zastosowania techniki strugowej na wydajność energetyczną modułów BIPV/T chłodzonych powietrzem
    • Jan Wajs
    • Jakub Łukasik
    2023

    Praca ma charakter analizy numerycznej i dotyczy problematyki chłodzenia hybrydowych modułów fotowoltaicznych dedykowanych układom Building-Integrated Photovlotaic/Thermal (BIPV/T). Uwagę skupiono na powietrznym systemie chłodzenia dachówki fotowoltaicznej, rozważając technikę strugową, w której intensyfikację wymiany ciepła zapewniają strugi płynu uderzające w przegrodę wymiany ciepła. Przeprowadzono szereg symulacji numerycznych w celu oceny wpływu odległości czoła dyszy od powierzchni absorbera na wartości współczynników przejmowania ciepła i liczb Nusselta podczas chłodzenia dachówki. Otrzymane rezultaty wskazują na wysoką skuteczność zastosowanej techniki, a najlepszy efekt uzyskano dla przypadku, w którym względna odległość dyszy od przegrody odniesiona do średnicy dyszy wynosi 1. Dla przywołanej konfiguracji, uzyskano ponad 4-krotny wzrost wartości współczynnika przejmowania ciepła względem referencyjnego wariantu chłodzenia dachówki, w którym powietrze swobodnie przepływa kanałem prostym, omywając tylną ścianę absorbera.

  • Ochrona brzegów morskich - przegląd metod stosowanych w Polsce
    • Anita Byjoś
    • Paweł Więcławski
    2023 Full text Inżynieria Morska i Geotechnika

    W celu minimalizacji negatywnego wpływu procesów erozyjnych, w zależności od lokalizacji i intensywności działania czynników niszczących na brzeg morski, dobierane są odpowiednio metody wzmacniania i ochrony plaż. W artykule przedstawiono metody stosowane w Polsce od najmniej wpływającej na środowisko refulacji poprzez nasadzenia, do wznoszonych konstrukcji takich jak ostrogi, progi podwodne i falochrony. Uwzględniono zrealizowane dotychczas projekty, ze wskazaniem na ich lokalizację, technologię wykonania i użyte materiały. Przedstawiono schematy projektowe stosowanych metod oraz rzeczywiste efekty po ich sfinalizowaniu.

  • Ochrona przeciwporażeniowa w sieciach i instalacjach niskiego napięcia
    • Stanisław Czapp
    2023

    Użytkowanie sieci i instalacji elektroenergetycznych jest związane z wieloma zagrożeniami, a jednym z nich jest zagrożenie porażeniem prądem elektrycznym. Obowiązkiem osób projektujących te sieci i instalacje, a także osób odpowiedzialnych za ich eksploatację jest zastosowanie środków zapewniających skuteczną ochronę przeciwporażeniową. Wymagania ochrony przeciwporażeniowej są nadrzędne w stosunku do innych wymagań technicznych, a także wymagań środowiskowych. Książka przedstawia w sposób zwięzły i przystępny istotę, zasady projektowania i sprawdzania ochrony przeciwporażeniowej w sieciach i instalacjach niskiego napięcia. Opisano skutki przepływu przez człowieka prądu stałego, prądu przemiennego, również mającego podwyższoną częstotliwość, a także prądu odkształconego zawierającego wiele wyższych harmonicznych, które występują w powszechnie stosowanych obwodach z przekształtnikami energoelektronicznymi. Wyszczególniono i objaśniono środki ochrony przeciwporażeniowej podstawowej, ochrony przy uszkodzeniu oraz ochrony uzupełniającej. Omówiono specyfikę ochrony przeciwporażeniowej w wybranych instalacjach specjalnych, tzn. w pomieszczeniach wyposażonych w wannę lub prysznic, na placach budowy i robót rozbiórkowych, w gospodarstwach rolniczych i ogrodniczych, instalacjach z fotowoltaicznymi źródłami energii, instalacjach ładowania pojazdów elektrycznych, a także rzadko opisywanych instalacjach niskiego napięcia w strefie oddziaływania sieci trakcyjnej DC 3 kV. Scharakteryzowano zabezpieczenia stosowane w sieciach i instalacjach niskiego napięcia, w szczególności wyłączniki różnicowoprądowe, a także komplementarne do nich zabezpieczenia od skutków zwarć łukowych. Zaprezentowano problematykę projektowania uziemień w stacjach elektroenergetycznych SN/nn. Podano też najważniejsze terminy i definicje związane z ochroną przeciwporażeniową.