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Gdańsk University of Technology

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  • Modeling nutrient removal and energy consumption in an advanced activated sludge system under uncertainty
    • Bartosz Szeląg
    • Adam Kiczko
    • Ewa Zaborowska
    • Giorgio Mannina
    • Jacek Mąkinia
    2022 Full text JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

    Activated sludge models are widely used to simulate, optimize and control performance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). For simulation of nutrient removal and energy consumption, kinetic parameters would need to be estimated, which requires an extensive measurement campaign. In this study, a novel methodology is proposed for modeling the performance and energy consumption of a biological nutrient removal activated sludge system under sensitivity and uncertainty. The actual data from the wastewater treatment plant in Slupsk (northern Poland) were used for the analysis. Global sensitivity analysis methods accounting for interactions between kinetic parameters were compared with the local sensitivity approach. An extensive procedure for estimation of kinetic parameters allowed to reduce the computational effort in the uncertainty analysis and improve the reliability of the computational results. Due to high costs of measurement campaigns for model calibration, a modification of the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty method was applied considering the location of measurement points. The inclusion of nutrient measurements in the aerobic compartment in the uncertainty analysis resulted in percentages of ammonium, nitrate, ortho-phosphate measurements of 81%, 90%, 78%, respectively, in the 95% confidence interval. The additional inclusion of measurements in the anaerobic compartment resulted in an increase in the percentage of ortho-phosphate measurements in the aerobic compartment by 5% in the confidence interval. The developed procedure reduces computational and measurement efforts, while maintaining a high compatibility of the observed data and model predictions. This enables to implement activated sludge models also for the facilities with a limited availability of data.

  • Modeling of capillary fluid flow in concrete using a DEM-CFD approach
    • Marek Krzaczek
    • Michał Nitka
    • Andrzej Tejchman-Konarzewski
    2022

    Sformułowano połączone podejście do modelowania dwufazowego przepływu wody napędzanego hydraulicznie i kapilarnie w nienasyconym betonie. Proces przepływu analizowano numerycznie w mezoskali w warunkach dwuwymiarowych (2D), łącząc metodę elementów dyskretnych (DEM) z obliczeniową dynamiką płynów (CFD) w warunkach izotermicznych. Przeprowadzono w pełni sprzężone hydromechaniczne testy symulacyjne na małych próbkach betonu o uproszczonej mezostrukturze cząstek stałych. Obliczenia DEM/CFD wykonano kolejno dla próbek czystej osnowy cementowej, osnowy cementowej z kruszywem oraz osnowy cementowej z kruszywem i strefą przejściową międzyfazową (ITZ) o określonej grubości.

  • Modeling of Electrodynamic Phenomena in an Ultra-Rapid Inductive–Dynamic Actuator as Applied to Hybrid Short-Circuit Breakers - A Review Study
    • Damian Hallmann
    • Piotr Jankowski
    • Janusz Mindykowski
    • Kazimierz Jakubiuk
    • Mikołaj Nowak
    • Mirosław Wołoszyn
    2022 Full text ENERGIES

    This article is a study of the research development of electrodynamic phenomena occurring in ultra-fast electrodynamic drives. These types of linear drives are among the fastest, not only because of the huge accelerations achieved, but, above all, because of the extremely short reaction time. For this reason, electrodynamic drives are used in hybrid short-circuit breakers. The phenomena occurring in this type of drive are actually magneto-thermo-elastic in nature, but the coupling of these phenomena should be considered weak if the criteria for repeatable operation in a hybrid circuit breaker system are met. The authors have been researching this type of drive for many years through not only experimental studies, but also primarily simulation studies developing models of such drives. The authors present the history of the development starting from the first works of Thomson, and Kesserling and ending with the most current models, including mainly their own. This article presents mainly works studying electrodynamic phenomena. Thermal and mechanical phenomena were comprehensively presented by the authors in previous papers.

  • Modeling the Structure, Dynamics, and Transformations of Proteins with the UNRES Force Field
    • Adam K. Sieradzan
    • Cezary Czaplewski
    • Paweł Krupa
    • Magdalena Mozolewska
    • Agnieszka S. Karczyńska
    • Agnieszka G. Lipska
    • Emilia Lubecka
    • Ewa Gołaś
    • Tomasz Wirecki
    • Mariusz Makowski
    • Stanisław Ołdziej
    • Adam Liwo
    2022

    The physics-based united-residue (UNRES) model of proteins ( www.unres.pl ) has been designed to carry out large-scale simulations of protein folding. The force field has been derived and parameterized based on the principles of statistical-mechanics, which makes it independent of structural databases and applicable to treat nonstandard situations such as, proteins that contain D-amino-acid residues. Powered by Langevin dynamics and its replica-exchange extensions, UNRES has found a variety of applications, including ab initio and database-assisted protein-structure prediction, simulating protein-folding pathways, exploring protein free-energy landscapes, and solving biological problems. This chapter provides a summary of UNRES and a guide for potential users regarding the application of the UNRES package in a variety of research tasks.

  • Modelling and Analysis of the Positioning Accuracy in the Loading Systems of Mobile Cranes
    • Wojciech Kacalak
    • Zbigniew Budniak
    • Maciej Majewski
    2022 Full text Materials

    In this work, the authors analyse the influence of the order and range of sequential movements of a crane's working members on the accuracy of the final cargo positioning. The analysis was conducted on the basis of a specially developed method in which the authors proposed the introduction of a geometrical indicator of positioning the load in the intermediate positions (after completing each movement sequence) and in the target position, depending on the adopted control strategy and the accuracy of kinematic input of the working mechanisms (powered mechanisms). A mathematical model was presented to enable the accuracy of unidirectional positioning of the crane's working members when conducting sequential movements controlled through the rotation of the crane column, inner and outer boom, and retractable stages of the six-section telescopic boom. Sample results of the numerical simulations showing the influence of the assumed kinematic inputs of the crane members on the accuracy of unidirectional angular and linear positioning and, consequently, on the accuracy of the final positioning of the transported cargo, were presented. Moreover, an indicator of the cargo positioning accuracy dependent on the location of an operator or a video camera and the trajectory of the cargo was developed, allowing the formulation of application conclusions.

  • Modelling of Longitudinal Elastic Wave Propagation in a Steel Rod Using the Discrete Element Method
    • Magdalena Knak
    • Michał Nitka
    • Erwin Wojtczak
    • Magdalena Rucka
    2022 Full text Materials

    The paper deals with the issue of modelling elastic wave propagation using the discrete element method (DEM). The case of a longitudinal wave in a rod with a circular cross-section was considered. A novel, complex algorithm consisting of the preparation of models and simulation of elastic waves was developed. A series of DEM models were prepared for simulations, differing in discretisation and material parameters. Additional calculations with the finite element method (FEM) were performed. Numerical wave signals were obtained from each simulation and compared with experimental results to choose the best DEM model based on the correlation between the waveforms. Moreover, dispersion curves were prepared for each model to verify the agreement with the Pochhammer-Chree wave propagation theory. Both experimental and theoretical approaches indicated the same model as the most suitable. The analysis results allowed stating that DEM can be successfully used for modelling wave propagation in structural rods.

  • Modelling the impact of the agricultural holdings and land-use structure on the quality of inland and coastal waters with an innovative and interdisciplinary toolkit
    • Lidia Anita Dzierzbicka-Glowacka
    • Dawid Dybowski
    • Maciej Janecki
    • Ewa Wojciechowska
    • Beata Szymczycha
    • Dawid Potrykus
    • Artur Nowicki
    • Adam Szymkiewicz
    • Piotr Zima
    • Beata Jaworska-Szulc
    • Stefan Pietrzak
    • Grażyna Pazikowska-sapota
    • Dominika Kalinowska
    • Nicole Nawrot
    • Paweł Wielgat
    • Grażyna Dembska
    • Karolina Matej-Łukowicz
    • Katarzyna Szczepańska
    • Tadeusz Puszkarczuk
    2022 Full text AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT

    The changes taking place in the marine coastal zones are extremely important, as about 40% of the human population currently lives in the coastal areas (within 100 kilometres of the coastline) increasing anthropogenic pressure on the marine ecosystems. Agriculture is a significant source of nutrients to the marine environment that increase hypoxia, eutrophication and may pose a threat to the services provided by ecosystems. In particular, surface water and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) are dominant pathways of nutrient loads. The main aim of this study is to present the capabilities and results of an innovative and complex toolkit that enables researchers to identify the sources of nutrient and pesticide pollution, calculate their flux via rivers and SGD, and directly assess the influence of pesticides and nutrient flux on the coastal ecosystem. We combined the in situ sampling of surface water, groundwater, soil, SGD, and seawater with a model study to create a set of tools for assessing the influence of agriculture on the marine environment. The maximum concentrations of nitrates and phosphates were measured in the drainage ditches and were equal to 15.5 mg N-NO L−1 and 7.7 mg P-PO L−1 respectively. The nutrients concentrations varied from 0.1 to 12.9 mg N-NO L−1 and from 0.0 to 0.5 mg P-PO L−1 in all freshwater samples. In contrast, the lowest concentrations were observed in seawater with maximum levels of 0.8 mg N-NO L−1 and 0.1 mg P-PO L−1 respectively. The collected data were used to establish an innovative and interdisciplinary online toolkit in which surface run-off was modelled with Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), groundwater flow with Modflow, and marine waters using the EcoPuckBay model. Additionally, the tool includes two interactive calculators for calculation of the nutrient balance and nitrogen leaching for single fields on farms.

  • Modelowanie 3D zabytkowego obiektu sakralnego za pomocą stacjonarnego skaningu laserowego na podstawie analizy światła naturalnego
    • Paweł Tysiąc
    • Anna Sieńska
    • Marta Tarnowska
    • Piotr Kędziorski
    • Marcin Jagoda
    2022 Full text Materiały Budowlane

    Technologia skanowania laserowego jest powszechnie stosowana w inwentaryzacji obiektów kultury. Ciągły wzrost technologiczny pozwala na wykorzystanie złożonych modeli cyfrowych 3D przez coraz większą liczbę odbiorców. Jedną z odmian zastosowania modeli jest tzw. HBIM (HistoricalBIM/ HeritageBIM). W artykule skupiliśmy się na pierwszym z etapów zarządzania takim projektem, jak inwentaryzacja. Celem pracy jest określenie przydatności stosowania modelowania 3D na potrzeby analizy obiektów kultury oraz analiza dokładności modelu. Na podstawie wykonanego modelu przeprowadzono analizę oświetlenia kościoła. Przedstawiona metoda może być interpretowana pod kątem technicznym oraz humanistycznym (w przypadku analizy sacrum).

  • Modelowanie emisji z wykorzystaniem symulacji mikroskopowych
    • Jacek Oskarbski
    • Konrad Biszko
    2022 Full text Transport Miejski i Regionalny

    W artykule poruszono zagadnienia związane z modelowaniem emisji spalin z wykorzystaniem mikroskopowych symulacji ruchu drogowego. Celem pracy było opracowanie modelu ruchu, na podstawie którego możliwe jest obliczenie emisji z pojazdów z uwzględnieniem typu skrzyżowania oraz wartości natężeń ruchu. W artykule skupiono się na wartościach zużycia paliwa i emisji dwutlenku węgla. Przeanalizowano literaturę w zakresie czynników wpływających na emisję, które zależne są od człowieka, pojazdu i infrastruktury. Dokonano przeglądu matematycznych modeli pozwalających na obliczenie wartości chwilowych, często związanych ze zużyciem paliwa, które stanowią podstawę do oszacowania emisji. Wybrany model został zaimplementowany do modułu oprogramowania mikrosymulacyjnego w celu analizy wielkości emisji, w zależności od natężenia ruchu na skrzyżowaniu o ruchu okrężnym i skrzyżowaniu z pierwszeństwem przejazdu. Przedstawiono wyniki badań z uwzględnieniem wariantów modeli sieci obejmujących jedynie dojazd i przejazd przez skrzyżowanie oraz niezależnie uwzględniających rozpędzanie pojazdów za skrzyżowaniem. W końcowym fragmencie artykułu objęto dyskusją wybrane założenia, możliwe do uwzględnienia w analizach i mające wpływ na osiągnięte wyniki, omówiono kwestie dokładności modelu oraz zaproponowano rozwiązania pozwalające na zwiększenie poziomu szczegółowości osiąganych wyników.

  • Modelowanie wymiany ciepła przy wrzeniu w przepływie w warunkach podwyższonego ciśnienia zredukowanego dla R1233zd(E) jako potencjalnego czynnika w układach ORC [w:] Postępy w badaniach wymiany ciepła i masy
    • Michał Pysz
    • Dariusz Mikielewicz
    2022 Full text

    Proces wrzenia w wysokotemperaturowych pompach ciepła oraz układach ORC zachodzi przy temperaturach wyższych niż 80˚C. W literaturze występuje luka w wiedzy dla podwyższonych temperatur nasycenia oraz korespondujących wysokich ciśnień zredukowanych. Większość istniejących danych doświadczalnych dotyczy temperatur niższych niż 40 ˚C, co związane jest z zastosowaniami chłodniczymi czynników niskowrzących. Dla temperatur wyższych niż 120 ˚C większość czynników pracuje w okolicach termodynamicznego punktu krytycznego, gdzie występują gwałtowne zmiany lepkości oraz gęstości faz ciekłej oraz parowej, co ma znaczący wpływ na oddziaływania międzyfazowe. Większość modeli literaturowych opiera się na konkretnych parametrach eksperymentalnych i nie ma charakteru ogólnego dla zastosowań dla płynów i warunków termodynamicznych nie będących przedmiotem eksperymentu. Przedstawiony w pracy model ma solidne podstawy fizyczne i dużą ogólność, będąc niezależnym od rodzaju czynnika. Celem przetestowania modelu w warunkach podwyższonych ciśnień zredukowanych zbudowano dedykowane stanowisko eksperymentalne. W powyższym badaniu przeprowadzono systematyczne badania eksperymentalne dla wrzenia w przepływie czynnika R1233zd(E). Dane uzyskano dla cylindrycznego pionowego minikanału o średnicy wewnętrznej 2 mm oraz długości 300 mm. Zakres ciśnień zredukowanych przedstawionych w badaniu zawiera się w zakresie od 0,2 do 0,7, prędkość masowa od 400 do 1000 kg/m2s, a gęstość strumienia ciepła od 20 do 45 kW/m2. Przedstawiono wpływ struktury przepływu na uzyskane trendy wymiany ciepła. Dane eksperymentalne zostały również porównane z najbardziej znanymi modelami literaturowymi.

  • Modification of TiO2 nanotubes by graphene–strontium and cobalt molybdate perovskite for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic medium
    • Mariusz Szkoda
    • Anna Ilnicka
    • Malgorzata Skorupska
    • Marcin Wysokowski
    • Jerzy P. Lukaszewicz
    2022 Full text Scientific Reports

    Herein, we demonstrate that modification of TiO2 nanotubes with graphene–strontium and cobalt molybdate perovskite can turn them into active electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). For this purpose, a simple method of hydrothermal synthesis of perovskites was developed directly on the TiO2 nanotubes substrate. Moreover, the obtained hybrids were also decorated with graphene oxide (GO) during one-step hydrothermal synthesis. The obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Catalytic properties were verified by electrochemical methods (linear voltammetry, chronopotentiometry). The obtained hybrids were characterized by much better catalytic properties towards hydrogen evolution reaction compared to TiO2 and slightly worse than platinum. The optimized hybrid catalyst (decorated by GO) can drive a cathodic current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 121 mV for HER with a small Tafel slope of 90 mV dec−1 in 0.2 M H2SO4.

  • Modified Preisach model of hysteresis in multi air gap ferrite core medium frequency transformer
    • Michał Michna
    • Piotr Dworakowski
    • Andrzej Wilk
    • Filip Kutt
    • Michel Mermet-Guyennet
    2022 Full text IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY

    This article presents the modified Preisach model of hysteresis for a 3-phase medium frequency transformer in a 100 kW dual active bridge converter. The transformer magnetic core is assembled out of ferrite I-cores, which results in multiple parasitic air gaps. For this transformer, the hysteresis loops were measured and parameters of the Preisach model were determined. The Preisach distribution function is approximated with a two-dimensional Gauss function series and the feedback function is a 3rd-degree polynomial. The optimized identification of Preisach distribution function parameters was prepared. Two sets of parameters were determined based on the analysis of major and minor hysteresis loop. The developed model is used to analyze the transformer core power loss. A new set of Steinmetz equation parameters for multi air gap ferrite core MFT is proposed.

  • Modulation of dielectric properties in low-loss polypropylene-based composites at GHz frequencies: theory and experiment
    • Konrad Wilczyński
    • Anna Wróblewska
    • Agata Dzieniszewska
    • Jerzy Krupka
    • Michał Mrozowski
    • Mariusz Zdrojek
    2022 Full text Scientific Reports

    Polymer composites with high dielectric constant and low loss tangent are highly regarded as substrates for modern high-speed electronics. In this work, we analyze the high-frequency dielectric properties of two types of composites based on polypropylene infused with high-dielectric-constant microparticles. Two types of fillers are used: commercial ceramics or titanium oxide ( TiO2) with different concentrations. The key observation is that adding the fillers causes an increase of dielectric constants by around 100% (for highest loading) up to 4.2 and 3.4, for micro-ceramics and TiO2 based composites, respectively. Interestingly, for the TiO2 composite, the loss tangent depends on the filler loading volume, whereas the other composite has a slightly increasing tendency, however, being at the level ~ 10– 3. To explain the experimental results, a theoretical model determined by microwave reflection and transmission through a representative volume element is proposed, which allows the investigation of the impact of volume ratio, grain shape, aggregation, and size on the loss tangent and permittivity evolution. This approach could be used for modeling other low dielectric loss materials with inclusions.

  • Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology—Emerging Tools in Diagnostics and Therapy
    • Marcin Woźniak
    • Agata Płoska
    • Anna Siekierzycka
    • Lawrence W. Dobrucki
    • Leszek Kalinowski
    • Iwona T. Dobrucki
    2022 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES

    Personalized medicine is emerging as a new goal in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This approach aims to establish differences between patients suffering from the same disease, which allows to choose the most effective treatment. Molecular imaging (MI) enables advanced insight into molecule interactions and disease pathology, improving the process of diagnosis and therapy and, for that reason, plays a crucial role in personalized medicine. Nanoparticles are widely used in MI techniques due to their size, high surface area to volume ratio, and multifunctional properties. After conjugation to specific ligands and drugs, nanoparticles can transport therapeutic compounds directly to their area of action and therefore may be used in theranostics—the simultaneous implementation of treatment and diagnostics. This review summarizes different MI techniques, including optical imaging, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging, and computed tomography imaging with theranostics nanoparticles. Furthermore, it explores the potential use of constructs that enables multimodal imaging and track diseases in real time.

  • Monitoring działania wzmocnienia gruntu pod nasypem drogowym za pomocą sztywnych kolumn
    • Adam Jabłonowski
    • Piotr Kanty
    • Adam Krasiński
    2022 Full text Inżynieria Morska i Geotechnika

    Opis systemu pomiarowego zainstalowanego w kolumnach betonowych wzmacniających słabe podłoże gruntowe pod nasypem drogowym. Wstępne przedstawienie przykładowych wyników pomiarów. Problematyka niedokładności i odchyleń pomiarowych oraz sposób ich interpretacji.

  • Monitoring Lead Concentration in the Surrounding Environmental Components of a Lead Battery Company: Plants, Air and Effluents—Case Study, Kenya
    • Jeremiah Otieno
    • Przemysław Kowal
    • Jacek Mąkinia
    2022 Full text International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

    Lead (Pb) pollution from smelters and lead–acid battery has become a serious problem worldwide owing to its toxic nature as a heavy metal. Stricter regulations and monitoring strategies have been formulated, legislated and implemented in various parts of the world on heavy metal usage. Developed countries such as the USA and in Europe largely operate within the set standards, however, developing countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and India, with limited regulatory capacity, resources and sufficient data, face poor Pb waste management and exposure of the population to health risks. This study assessed the pollution concerns from Associated Battery Manufacturers (East Africa) Limited (ABM), located in the Nairobi Industrial Area in Kenya. Samples of air, extracts from plants (leaves) and factory wastewaters were taken from different operations units, prepared and analysed with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Pb traces remained fairly controlled with averages of 1.24 ± 0.42 parts per million (ppm), 1.21 ± 0.02 ppm and 0.29 ± 0.01 ppm in the air, plant extracts and effluents, respectively. The conducted research shows that the obtained lead concentrations in the air, wastewater and surrounding plants exceeded the recommended standards, and are potentially harmful not only to workers, but also to the surrounding villages

  • Monitoring the fracture process of concrete during splitting using integrated ultrasonic coda wave interferometry, digital image correlation and X-ray micro-computed tomography
    • Erwin Wojtczak
    • Magdalena Rucka
    • Łukasz Skarżyński
    2022 Full text NDT & E INTERNATIONAL

    The paper deals with the continuous-time monitoring of mechanical degradation in concrete cubes under splitting. A series of experiments performed with integrated coda wave interferometry (CWI) and digital image correlation (DIC), supported with X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is reported. DIC and micro-CT techniques were used to characterize the fracture process in detail. CWI method was proved to be effective in the assessment of damage level based on the changes in decorrelation between coda wave signals. The possibility of early detection of damage using CWI is promising for possible applications in the diagnostics of concrete elements.

  • Monitoring the gas turbine start-up phase on the platform using a hierarchical model based on Multi-Layer Perceptron networks
    • Tacjana Niksa-Rynkiewicz
    • Anna Witkowska
    • Jerzy Głuch
    • Marcin Adamowicz
    2022 Full text Polish Maritime Research

    Very often, the operation of diagnostic systems is related to the evaluation of process functionality, where the diagnostics is carried out using reference models prepared on the basis of the process description in the nominal state. The main goal of the work is to develop a hierarchical gas turbine reference model for the estimation of start-up parameters based on multi-layer perceptron neural networks. A functional decomposition of the gas turbine start-up process was proposed, enabling a modular analysis of selected parameters of the process. Real data sets obtained from observations of the turbo-generator set located on a North Sea platform were used.

  • Monolithic vs. Microservice Architecture: A Performance and Scalability Evaluation
    • Grzegorz Blinowski
    • Anna Ojdowska
    • Adam Przybyłek
    2022 Full text IEEE Access

    Context. Since its proclamation in 2012, microservices-based architecture has gained widespread popularity due to its advantages, such as improved availability, fault tolerance, and horizontal scalability, as well as greater software development agility. Motivation. Yet, refactoring a monolith to microservices by smaller businesses and expecting that the migration will bring benefits similar to those reported by top global companies, such as Netflix, Amazon, eBay, and Uber, might be an illusion. Indeed, for systems that do not have thousands of concurrent users and can be scaled vertically, the benefits of such migration have not been sufficiently investigated, while the existing evidence is inconsistent. Objective. The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance and scalability of monolithic and microservice architectures on a reference web application. Method. The application was implemented in four different versions, covering not only two different architectural styles (monolith vs. microservices) but also two different implementation technologies (Java vs. C#.NET). Next, we conducted a series of controlled experiments in three different deployment environments (local, Azure Spring Cloud, and Azure App Service). Findings. The key lessons learned are as follows: (1) on a single machine, a monolith performs better than its microservice-based counterpart; (2) The Java platform makes better use of powerful machines in case of computation-intensive services when compared to.NET; the technology platform effect is reversed when non-computationally intensive services are run on machines with low computational capacity; (3) vertical scaling is more cost-effective than horizontal scaling in the Azure cloud; (4) scaling out beyond a certain number of instances degrades the application performance; (5) implementation technology (either Java or C#.NET) does not have a noticeable impact on the scalability performance.

  • Monomeric Triphosphinoboranes: Intramolecular Lewis Acid–Base Interactions between Boron and Phosphorus Atoms
    • Anna Ordyszewska
    • Natalia Szynkiewicz
    • Jarosław Chojnacki
    • Rafał Grubba
    2022 Full text INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

    Herein, we present the synthesis of the first fully characterized monomeric triphosphinoboranes. The simple reaction of boron tribromide with three equivalents of bulky lithium phosphide tBu2PLi yielded triphosphinoborane (tBu2P)3B. Triphosphinoboranes with diversified phosphanyl substituents were obtained via a two-step reaction, in which isolable bromodiphosphinoborane (tBu2P)2BBr is first formed and then reacts with one equivalent of less bulky phosphide R2PLi (R2P = Cy2P, iPr2P, tBuPhP, Ph2P). By utilizing this method, we obtained a series of triphosphinoboranes with the general formula (tBu2P)2BPR2. Based on structural and theoretical studies, two main types of triphosphinoborane structures can be distinguished. In the first type, all three electron lone pairs interact with the formally empty p-orbital of the central boron atom, resulting in delocalized π-bonding, whereas in the second type, one localized double P=B bond and two single P-B bonds are observed. The Lewis acidic-basic properties of triphosphinoboranes during the reaction of (tBu2P)2BPiPr2 with H3B·SMe2 were analyzed. The abovementioned P-B bond-containing compound not only formed an adduct with BH3 but also activated the B-H bond of the borane molecule, resulting in the incorporation of the BH2 unit into two phosphorus atoms and migration of a hydride to the boron atom of the parent triphosphinoborane. The structures of the triphosphinoboranes were confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.

  • More Than just Antioxidants: Redox-Active Components and Mechanisms Shaping Redox Signalling Network
    • Monika Baranowska
    • Patrycja Jakubek
    • Agnieszka Bartoszek-Pączkowska
    2022 Full text Antioxidants

    settingsOrder Article Reprints This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon. Open AccessReview More Than just Antioxidants: Redox-Active Components and Mechanisms Shaping Redox Signalling Network by Monika Kuczyńska,Patrycja Jakubek andAgnieszka Bartoszek *ORCID Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Antioxidants 2022, 11(12), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11122403 (registering DOI) Received: 26 September 2022 / Revised: 28 November 2022 / Accepted: 30 November 2022 / Published: 4 December 2022 (This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Antioxidants—Review Collection) Download Versions Notes Abstract The concept of oxidative stress as a condition underlying a multitude of human diseases has led to immense interest in the search for antioxidant-based remedies. The simple and intuitive story of “the bad” reactive oxygen species (ROS) and “the good” antioxidants quickly (and unsurprisingly) lead to the commercial success of products tagged “beneficial to health” based solely on the presence of antioxidants. The commercial success of antioxidants by far preceded the research aimed at understanding the exact redox-related mechanisms that are in control of shaping the states of health and disease. This review describes the redox network formed by the interplay of ROS with cellular molecules and the resulting regulation of processes at the genomic and proteomic levels. Key players of this network are presented, both involved in redox signalling and control of cellular metabolism linked to most, if not all, physiological processes. In particular, this review focuses on the concept of reductive stress, which still remains less well-established compared to oxidative stress.

  • Morphology changes in Fe-Cr porous alloys upon high-temperature oxidation quantified by X-ray tomographic microscopy
    • Damian Koszelow
    • Sebastian Molin
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • F. Marone
    • Małgorzata Makowska
    2022 Full text MATERIALS & DESIGN

    The effect of high-temperature oxidation at 850 C (10 h, 30 h, 100 h) and 900 C (10 h) on porous (30 % porosity) ferritic stainless steel (Fe22Cr) has been investigated using synchrotron tomographic microscopy, which allowed for visualisation, separation and quantitative analysis of the metallic core, closed pores, open pores and oxide scale phase. The same regions within the samples were investigated before and after oxidation performed at different conditions. Quantitative analysis of the tomographic data provided information on changes upon oxidation of the relative volume of the different phases, the specific surface area (SSA) of the metallic core, the thickness of the oxide scale and pore size distribution. The results were discussed in the context of thermogravimetric analysis of the samples and supported by SEM imaging. It was observed that oxidation leads to an increase of the SSA of steel and the largest increase (50 %) was obtained for the sample processed for 100 h at 850 C. It is demonstrated the open porosity forms a network of connected channels within the sample and it dominates in the volume. In addition, the 3D imaging revealed breakaway oxidation areas for samples, for which this phenomenon remained undetected using 2D SEM analysis.

  • MORPHOLOGY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT AS AN ELEMENT OF URBAN VENTIALTION SYSTEM
    • Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung
    • Mariya-Veronika Mochulska
    2022 Full text Architecture Civil Engineering Environment

    Problems related to air quality in large urban agglomerations (e.g., high concentration of pollutants, the urban heat island phenomenon) make it necessary to take comprehensive measures to improve air exchange in urban areas.The article concerns the relationship between wind phenomena observable in cities and the geometrical features of building development. The knowledge on the subject is already well-founded and has been intensively developed. Regardless, it remains relatively poorly applied to urban planning. Based on the analysis of source literature, the classification of features and spatial elements of building development that are crucial for ventilation is conducted in the following paper. Five different cities are also analyzed regardinghow the air exchange improvement policy should be pursued through conscious building development shaping. The cities selected for analysis include Warsaw and Cracow in Poland, a large agglomeration of New Dehli in India,the experimental Masdar Cityin the United Arab Emirates, and the newly designed Jätkäsaaridistrict of Helsinki. Based on the example of the above cities, the article investigates the possibilities of combining spatial features of building development that are essential to aerodynamics, in order to create effective ventilation systems.

  • Most Uniwersytecki w Bydgoszczy. Teoretyczne podstawy decyzji o wyłączeniu obiektu z ruchu
    • Krzysztof Żółtowski
    • Mikołaj Binczyk
    • Przemysław Kalitowski
    2022 Full text Inżynieria i Budownictwo

    W artykule przedstawiono ogólny opis konstrukcji podwieszonego mostu Uniwersyteckiego nad rzeką Brdą w Bydgoszczy. Opisano również prace eksperckie dotyczące oceny nośności konstrukcji. W wyniku badań i analiz obiekt został uznany za niebezpieczny dla użytkowników i wycofany z eksploatacji. W artykule przedstawiono zasadnicze przesłanki, które doprowadziły zarządcę do podjęcia głównych decyzji i postępowania naprawczego.

  • MPPT and GMPPT Implementation for Buck-Boost Mode Control of quasi-Z-Source Inverter
    • Oleksandr Husev
    • Dmitri Vinnikov
    • Carlos Roncero-Clemente
    • Frede Blaabjerg
    • Ryszard Strzelecki
    2022 Full text IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS

    The focus is on the maximum power point tracking implementation for the buck-boost voltage mode control of a single-phase multilevel inverter based on a three-level neutral point clamped quasi-Z-source topology. To utilize shoot-through states only when boost function is needed and avoid it in the buck mode, two different control approaches are required. This work proposes merged control system which provides switching between different control algorithms in the buck and boost modes. In particular, a hysteresis band between the buck and boost modes is proposed which provides smooth and stable performance. It also includes features of the implementation of the global maximum power point tracking, which can scan the entire input voltage range in up to 10 seconds. Experimental results showed that proposed control system provides high and stable MPPT efficiency in different operation points. Finally, the key features are verified, the advantages, drawbacks, and an eventual potential for other applications are presented in conclusions.

  • Multiaxial Fatigue Behaviour of SLM 18Ni300 Steel
    • Ricardo Branco
    • José Domingos Costa
    • J. A. M. Ferreira
    • C. Capela
    • Filippo Berto
    • Wojciech Macek
    2022 Structural Integrity

    Fatigue behaviour of SLM 18Ni300 steel under proportional bending-torsion loading is studied. The fatigue tests are conducted under pulsating loading conditions using tubular specimens with a transversal circular hole. Three ratios of the normal stress to shear stress are considered, namely σ/τ=4,σ/τ=2 and σ/τ = 4/3. Crack initiation sites were found for two diametrically opposite points around the hole, whose locations are governed by the loading scenario. Crack angles at the early stage of growth were successfully predicted from the first principal direction at the nodes with maximum values of the first principal stress at the hole. Fatigue crack initiation life was estimated based on the SWT parameter, defined from uniaxial low-cycle fatigue tests performed for smooth standard specimens under fully reversed strain-controlled conditions. Overall, predicted lives are in agreement with the experiments.

  • Multi-Beam Antenna for Ka-Band CubeSat Connectivity Using 3-D Printed Lens and Antenna Array
    • Kamil Trzebiatowski
    • Weronika Kalista
    • Mateusz Rzymowski
    • Łukasz Kulas
    • Krzysztof Nyka
    2022 Full text IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters

    In this paper, the design of a passive multi-beam lens antenna is proposed for the CubeSat space communication system as an alternative application of a 2-D microstrip antenna array that has originally been designed for a 39 GHz 5 G MU-MIMO system. The half-ellipsoid lens is 3-D printed using stereolithography (SLA) technology. The antenna prototype is capable of selecting the main beam between 16 different directions with a gain ranging from 14 to 16 dBi and a half-power beamwidth of 14∘ to 18∘. The measurements carried out in an anechoic chamber show good agreement with numerical simulations. The presented prototype shows that by employing 3-D printing technologies existing antennas can be easily and inexpensively converted to switched-beam or multi-beam solutions.

  • Multi-Criterial Design of Antennas with Tolerance Analysis Using Response-Feature Predictors
    • Anna Pietrenko-Dąbrowska
    • Paulina Kozieł
    • Leifur Leifsson
    2022

    Imperfect manufacturing is one of the factors affecting the performance of antenna systems. It is particularly important when design specifications are strict and leave a minimum leeway for a degradation caused by geometry or material parameter deviations from their nominal values. At the same time, conventional antenna design procedures routinely neglect to take the fabrication tolerances into account, which is mainly a result of a challenging nature of uncertainty quantification. Nevertheless, the ability to assess the effects of parameter deviations and to mitigate thereof is instrumental in achieving truly robust antenna designs. Furthermore, identifying the antenna-specific relationships be-tween nominal requirements and tolerance immunity is essential to determine the necessary levels of fabrication accuracy, which affects both the reliability and the manufacturing costs. This paper proposes a technique for multi-criterial optimization of antenna structures oriented towards rendering a family of designs rep-resenting trade-offs between the nominal performance and the robustness. The fundamental components of our procedure are feature-based regression models constructed at the level of selected characteristic points of the antenna outputs. The trade-off designs are generated sequentially, using local search carried out for gradually relaxed nominal requirements. Numerical experiments conducted for two microstrip antennas demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is capable of yielding the performance/robustness Pareto set at the cost of only a few dozens of EM analysis of the antenna at hand per design, while ensuring reliability, as validated by means of EM-based Monte Carlo simulation.

  • Multidirectional Characterization of Phytochemical Profile and Health-Promoting Effects of Ziziphora bungeana Juz. Extracts
    • Karlygash Zhaparkulova
    • Aigerim Karaubayeva
    • Zuriyadda Sakipova
    • Anna Biernasiuk
    • Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben
    • Tomasz Laskowski
    • Aliya Kusniyeva
    • Azamat Omargali
    • Tolkyn Bekezhanova
    • Liliya Ibragimova
    • Galiya Ibadullayeva
    • Amangeldy Jakiyanov
    • Karolina Czech
    • Kuanysh Tastambek
    • Kazimierz Głowniak
    • Anna Malm
    • Wirginia Kukula-Koch
    2022 Full text MOLECULES

    Ziziphora species (Lamiaceae) have been used in traditional medicine as sedatives, anti-septics, carminatives, or expectorants. Despite their common applications in phytotherapy, there is still lack of evidence about the composition of their extracts and its impact on biological properties of the plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of Ziziphora bungeana, a less studied species growing in Kazakhstan, using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS instrumentation and to determine its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity together with inhibitory properties against tyrosinase and toxicity in erythrocyte lysis assay. Extracts from Z. bungeana were found to be sources of flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, and terpenes that determined their antiradical activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of extracts were lower for Gram-positive bacteria (1.25–10 mg/mL) than for Gram-negative bacteria and fungi (5–20 mg/mL). The EC50 value calculated for antiradical activity ranged between 15.00 ± 1.06 µg/mL and 13.21 ± 3.24 µg/mL for ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. Z. bungeana extracts were found to decrease the activity of tyrosinase by 50% (at 200 µg/mL) similarly to kojic acid and were slightly cytotoxic for human melanoma A375 cell line (at 200 µg/mL) with no effect on HaCaT keratinocytes. In the end, Z. bungeana did not reveal toxic effects in hemolytic assay as compared to the positive control Triton X-100. The performed tests show potential application of the plant in the treatment of infectious diseases, disorders caused by free radicals, and skin problems.

  • Multi-domain and Context-Aware Recommendations Using Contextual Ontological User Profile
    • Aleksandra Karpus
    • Krzysztof Goczyła
    2022

    Recommender Systems (RS) became popular tools in many Web services like Netflix, Amazon, or YouTube, because they help a~user to avoid an information overload problem. One of the types of RS are Context-Aware RS (CARS) which exploit contextual information to provide more adequate recommendations. Cross-Domain RS (CDRS) were created as a response to the data sparsity problem which occurs when only few users can provide reviews or ratings for many items. One of the kinds of CDRS are Multi-domain RS which use user information from at least two domains to recommend items from all these domains. In this paper, we investigate how Contextual Ontological User Profile can be used for making multi-domain and context-aware recommendations. We show the improvement of accuracy and diversity of recommendations while combining CARS with CDRS.

  • Multi-functional sensor based on photonic crystal fiber using plasmonic material and magnetic fluid
    • Muhammad Bilal
    • Servando Lopez-Aguayo
    • Małgorzata Szczerska
    • Hamza Madni
    2022 Full text OSA Continuum

    A unique highly sensitive photonic crystal fiber is investigated based on plasmonic material and magnetic fluid (MF) for the simultaneous measurement of temperature and magnetic field sensor. The designed sensor is explored by tracing the different parameters such as birefringence, coupling length, power spectrum, and the peak wavelength of the transmission intensity. The magnetic field and temperature computation are attained simultaneously by examining the linear fitting curve and the movement of transmission peaks. The obtained sensitivity for temperature is 7.1nm/°C with an exposure range of 25°C to 100°C. In contrast, the magnetic field sensitivity is 12nm/Oe with a detection range of 160-200 Oe. In addition, the resolutions are -1.245°C, 5.53 Oe for temperature and magnetic field, respectively. Our inspected sensor is used to detect extremely low and high values of magnetic fields. The investigated structure is presented with simplification, compactness, easy implementation, and high sensitivity, which is expected to be a good foundation for the advancement of optical sensing devices in the future applications of industries, security, small grids, and environmental systems.

  • Multi-layered mineral glass units used as viewport elements of underwater ship structures
    • Krzysztof Lipiński
    • Krzysztof Bobrowski
    • Edmund Wittbrodt
    • Bogusław Szarejko
    • Eugeniusz Ziółkowski
    2022

    In the paper, Authors deals with viewport elements of underwater marine constructions. If a single-plate viewport constructions are considered, big thicknesses of the glass plate are required to resist the pressure. To build the viewports from the commercially accessible glass panes, multi-layered glass units are proposed in the paper. Numerical calculations are presented, summarized and compared with experimental tests. Focusing on their main idea, proposed viewports are inspired by the classical glass-lamination, but instead of gluing them with polyvinyl butyral, the glass panes are separated with deionized water that fills up all the hermetic inter-chambers formed by the panes. Heat-tempered mineral-glass panes are considered. Significant areas of the viewports are required. Performed numerical tests are addressed to verify statics, strength and stability of the proposed multi-layered innovative construction. Finite elements are used to create the models and to calculate the stress fields of all the glass elements of the viewports. Strengths of the investigated multi-layered units are estimated according to probabilistic theory of failure. Different constructional variants are tested for the viewports, including these made of flat and of curved glass panes. The final parameters of the optimal solution are not presented in the paper. The paper-presented examples certify however, that significant reduction of stresses is possible, especially of these occurring in the glass panes and, what follows, it certify that construction of underwater viewports of considerable dimensions is possible for viewports based on the standard thicknesses of the commercially accessible glass panes.

  • Multipath Complex Root Tracing
    • Sebastian Dziedziewicz
    • Małgorzata Warecka
    • Rafał Lech
    • Piotr Kowalczyk
    2022 Full text

    The problem of multipath root tracing is being addressed in this communication. The self-adaptive complex root tracing algorithm, which was previously utilized for the investigation of various propagation and radiation problems, is analyzed here for the cases when the traced characteristic bifurcates. A procedure of multiroute detection is proposed and demonstrated on the coaxially loaded cylindrical waveguide example.

  • Multi-pathway mechanism of polydopamine film formation at vertically aligned diamondised boron-doped carbon nanowalls
    • Adrian Olejnik
    • Mateusz Ficek
    • Katarzyna Siuzdak
    • Robert Bogdanowicz
    2022 ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA

    Boron-doped carbon nanowall (B:CNW) electrodes were used as a platform for studying the electropolymerisation of dopamine. Due to the unique properties of B:CNW, including the fast charge-transfer kinetics and high surface conductivity, a high degree of reversibility of redox reactions was achieved. Three separated redox peaks were observed on voltammograms and attributed to three fundamental reactions in the dopamine polymerisation mechanism: dopamine/dopamine quinone, leukodopaminechrome/dopaminechrome, and dihydroxyindole/indolequinone. The mechanism was also supported by the density functional theory calculations of the single point energy of the polydopamine structural units. Moreover, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments strongly suggest that the majority of th epolymerisation occurs only in the narrow range of potentials between +0.0 and +0.4 V vs. the silver chloride reference electrode. The concept of a resistor-like CPE element is introduced to facilitate the description of the electrochemical properties of B:CNW electrodes in a neutral electrolyte. Further, it is shown that electropolymerisation differs significantly as a function of pH. In acidic environments (pH 3–6) mostly the dopamine/dopamine quinone reaction can be seen, whereas in a more alkaline pH (8–10), the leukodopaminechrome/dopaminechrome reaction becomes dominant. The dihydroxyindole/indolequinone redox pair is seen only in a short pH interval between 7 and 8. Additionally, the kinetics of polymerisation is significantly boosted when the pH is more than 7. Together, these results provide insight into the complexity of the formation of polydopamine and can assist in better controlling the properties of electropolymerised dopamine films.

  • Multiple Cues-Based Robust Visual Object Tracking Method
    • Baber Khan
    • Abdul Jalil
    • Ahmad Ali
    • Khaled Alkhaledi
    • Khizer Mehmood
    • Khalid Mehmood Cheema
    • Maria Murad
    • Hanan Tariq
    • Ahmed M. El-Sherbeeny
    2022 Full text Electronics

    Visual object tracking is still considered a challenging task in computer vision research society. The object of interest undergoes significant appearance changes because of illumination variation, deformation, motion blur, background clutter, and occlusion. Kernelized correlation filter- (KCF) based tracking schemes have shown good performance in recent years. The accuracy and robustness of these trackers can be further enhanced by incorporating multiple cues from the response map. Response map computation is the complementary step in KCF-based tracking schemes, and it contains a bundle of information. The majority of the tracking methods based on KCF estimate the target location by fetching a single cue-like peak correlation value from the response map. This paper proposes to mine the response map in-depth to fetch multiple cues about the target model. Furthermore, a new criterion based on the hybridization of multiple cues i.e., average peak correlation energy (APCE) and confidence of squared response map (CSRM), is presented to enhance the tracking efficiency. We update the following tracking modules based on hybridized criterion: (i) occlusion detection, (ii) adaptive learning rate adjustment, (iii) drift handling using adaptive learning rate, (iv) handling, and (v) scale estimation. We integrate all these modules to propose a new tracking scheme. The proposed tracker is evaluated on challenging videos selected from three standard datasets, i.e., OTB-50, OTB-100, and TC-128. A comparison of the proposed tracking scheme with other state-of-the-art methods is also presented in this paper. Our method improved considerably by achieving a center location error of 16.06, distance precision of 0.889, and overlap success rate of 0.824.

  • Multiple jets impingement – numerical analysis by the ζ-f and hybrid VLES turbulence models
    • Tomasz Kura
    • Elżbieta Fornalik-Wajs
    • Jan Wajs
    • Sasa Kenjeres
    2022

    Presented paper summarizes the Authors findings referring to the numerical analyses of the jet impinging phenomena in the case of complex jets configurations in various applications e.g. in the heat exchangers. Multiple jets interference resulting in the cross-flow and the surface curvature are the factors which impose the need of advanced turbulence models utilization. The outcome of the research based on the ζ-f turbulence model as the common part in the RANS and the hybrid VLES formulations, is discussed. The advantage of the VLES model in the analysis of the complex interaction between the impinging jets has been demonstrated.

  • Multiplicative Long Short-Term Memory with Improved Mayfly Optimization for LULC Classification
    • Andrzej Stateczny
    • Shanthi Mandekolu Bolugallu
    • Parameshachari Bidare Divakarachari
    • Kavithaa Ganesan
    • Jamuna Rani Muthu
    2022 Full text Remote Sensing

    Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) monitoring is crucial for global transformation, sustainable land control, urban planning, urban growth prediction, and the establishment of climate regulations for long-term development. Remote sensing images have become increasingly important in many environmental planning and land use surveys in recent times. LULC is evaluated in this research using the Sat 4, Sat 6, and Eurosat datasets. Various spectral feature bands are involved, but unexpectedly little consideration has been given to these characteristics in deep learning models. Due to the wide availability of RGB models in computer vision, this research mainly utilized RGB bands. Once the pre-processing is carried out for the images of the selected dataset, the hybrid feature extraction is performed using Haralick texture features, an oriented gradient histogram, a local Gabor binary pattern histogram sequence, and Harris Corner Detection to extract features from the images. After that, the Improved Mayfly Optimization (IMO) method is used to choose the optimal features. IMO-based feature selection algorithms have several advantages that include features such as a high learning rate and computational efficiency. After obtaining the optimal feature selection, the LULC classes are classified using a multi-class classifier known as the Multiplicative Long Short-Term Memory (mLSTM) network. The main functionality of the multiplicative LSTM classifier is to recall appropriate information for a comprehensive duration. In order to accomplish an improved result in LULC classification, a higher amount of remote sensing data should be processed. So, the simulation outcomes demonstrated that the proposed IMO-mLSTM efficiently classifies the LULC classes in terms of classification accuracy, recall, and precision. When compared with ConvNet and Alexnet, the proposed IMO-mLSTM method accomplished accuracies of 99.99% on Sat 4, 99.98% on Sat 6, and 98.52% on the Eurosat datasets.

  • Multispectral Imaging Using Fluorescent Properties of Indocyanine Green and Methylene Blue in Colorectal Surgery—Initial Experience
    • Wojciech Polom
    • Marcin Migaczewski
    • Jaroslaw Skokowski
    • Maciej Swierblewski
    • Tomasz Cwalinski
    • Leszek Kalinowski
    • Michal Pedziwiatr
    • Marcin Matuszewski
    • Karol Polom
    2022 Full text Journal of Clinical Medicine

    Introduction: Image-guided surgery is becoming a new tool in colorectal surgery. Intraoperative visualisation of different structures using fluorophores helps during various steps of operations. In our report, we used two fluorophores—indocyanine green (ICG), and methylene blue (MB)— during different steps of colorectal surgery, using one camera system for two separate near-infrared wavelengths. Material and methods: Twelve patients who underwent complex open or laparoscopic colorectal surgeries were enrolled. Intravenous injections of MB and ICG at different time points were administered. Visualisation of intraoperative ureter position and fluorescent angiography for optimal anastomosis was performed. A retrospective analysis of patients treated in our departments during 2020 was performed, and data about ureter injury and anastomotic site complications were collected. Results: Intraoperative localisation of ureters with MB under fluorescent light was possible in 11 patients. The mean signal-to-background ratio was 1.58 0.71. Fluorescent angiography before performing anastomosis using ICG was successful in all 12 patients, and none required a change in position of the planned colon resection for anastomosis. The median signal-to-background ratios was 1.25 (IQR: 1.22–1.89). Across both centres, iatrogenic injury of the ureter was found in 0.4% of cases, and complications associated with anastomosis was found in 5.5% of cases. Conclusions: Our study showed a substantial opportunity for using two different fluorophores in colorectal surgery, whereby the visualisation of one will not change the possible quantification analysis of the other. Using two separate dyes during one procedure may help in optimisation of the fluorescent properties of both dyes when using them for different applications. Visualisation of different structures by different fluorophores seems to be the future of image-guided surgery, and shows progress in optical technologies used in image-guided surgery.

  • Multi-task Video Enhancement for Dental Interventions
    • Efkleidis Katsaros
    • Piotr Kopa Ostrowski
    • Krzysztof Włódarczak
    • Emilia Lewandowska
    • Jacek Rumiński
    • Damian Siupka-Mróz
    • Łukasz Lassmann
    • Anna Jezierska
    • Daniel Węsierski
    2022

    A microcamera firmly attached to a dental handpiece allows dentists to continuously monitor the progress of conservative dental procedures. Video enhancement in video-assisted dental interventions alleviates low-light, noise, blur, and camera handshakes that collectively degrade visual comfort. To this end, we introduce a novel deep network for multi-task video enhancement that enables macro-visualization of dental scenes. In particular, the proposed network jointly leverages video restoration and temporal alignment in a multi-scale manner for effective video enhancement. Our experiments on videos of natural teeth in phantom scenes demonstrate that the proposed network achieves state-of-the-art results in multiple tasks with near real-time processing. We release Vident-lab at https://doi.org/10.34808/1jby-ay90, the first dataset of dental videos with multi-task labels to facilitate further research in relevant video processing applications.

  • Multi-Temporal Analysis of Changes of the Southern Part of the Baltic Sea Coast Using Aerial Remote Sensing Data
    • Krystyna Michałowska
    • Ewa Głowienka
    2022 Full text Remote Sensing

    Understanding processes that affect changes in the coastal zone and the ability to predict these processes in the future depends on the period for which detailed monitoring is carried out and on the type of coast. This paper analyzes a southern fragment of the Baltic coast (30 km), where there has been no anthropogenic impact (Slowinski National Park). The study was carried out covering a time interval of 65 years. Historic and current aerial photographs (orthophotomaps) from the following years: 1951, 1964, 1975, 1984, 1995, 2004, and 2016 were used. Changes in the position of the foredune toe line (FTL) in each years’ images were used. For each time interval (1951–1964, 1964–1975, 1975–1984, 1984–1995, 1995–2004, 2004–2016), the coastal area over which morphodynamic processes (erosion and accumulation) took place was calculated. The calculated RL (reference line)—FTL positions allowed us to determine differences in the shoreline course in subsequent years and to determine the extent of shifts/changes of the coastline in each time period. The study results showed an equilibrium between the processes of accumulation and erosion, proving that the development of the studied natural coastline is balanced. There was only a change in the trend of the characteristics of changes from erosive into accumulative ones and vice versa. Moreover, along the studied coast section, a certain periodicity in the coastline changes can be observed. The intervals where predominant erosion occurs alternate with those when accumulation prevails, and then the cycle repeats. The analysis of historic/current aerial images and orthophotomaps from 1951–2016 indicated that strong storms have a significant impact on the magnitude of change (accumulation/erosion) and the formation of the studied coastline.

  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Mutual Dependence Assessment of Selected Polyphenols, Organic Acids and Metals in Cool-Climate Wines
    • Magdalena Fabjanowicz
    • Vasil Simeonov
    • Marcin Frankowski
    • Wojciech Wojnowski
    • Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
    2022 Full text MOLECULES

    Polyphenols, organic acids and metal ions are an important group of compounds that affect the human health and quality of food and beverage products, including wines. It is known that a specific correlation between these groups exist. While wines coming from the New World and the Old World countries are extensively studied, wines coming from cool-climate countries are rarely discussed in the literature. One of the goals of this study was to determine the elemental composition of the wine samples, which later on, together as polyphenols and organic acids content, was used as input data for chemometric analysis. The multivariate statistical approach was applied in order to find specific correlations between the selected group of compounds in the cool-climate wines and the features that distinguish the most and differ between red and white wines and rosé wines. Moreover, special attention was paid to resveratrol and its correlation with selected wine constituents.

  • Muramyl dipeptide-based analogs as potential anticancer compounds: Strategies to improve selectivity, biocompatibility, and efficiency
    • Eliza Iwicka
    • Justyna Hajtuch
    • Krystyna Dzierzbicka
    • Iwona Inkielewicz-Stępniak
    2022 Full text Frontiers in Oncology

    According to the WHO, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. This is an important global problem and a major challenge for researchers who have been trying to find an effective anticancer therapy. A large number of newly discovered compounds do not exert selective cytotoxic activity against tumorigenic cells and have too many side effects. Therefore, research on muramyl dipeptide (MDP) analogs has attracted interest due to the urgency for finding more efficient and safe treatments for oncological patients. MDP is a ligand of the cytosolic nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 receptor (NOD2). This molecule is basic structural unit that is responsible for the immune activity of peptidoglycans and exhibits many features that are important for modern medicine. NOD2 is a component of the innate immune system and represents a promising target for enhancing the innate immune response as well as the immune response against cancer cells. For this reason, MDP and its analogs have been widely used for many years not only in the treatment of immunodeficiency diseases but also as adjuvants to support improved vaccine delivery, including for cancer treatment. Unfortunately, in most cases, both the MDP molecule and its synthesized analogs prove to be too pyrogenic and cause serious side effects during their use, which consequently exclude them from direct clinical application. Therefore, intensive research is underway to find analogs of the MDP molecule that will have better biocompatibility and greater effectiveness as anticancer agents and for adjuvant therapy. In this paper, we review the MDP analogs discovered in the last 10 years that show promise for antitumor therapy. The first part of the paper compiles the achievements in the field of anticancer vaccine adjuvant research, which is followed by a description of MDP analogs that exhibit promising anticancer and antiproliferative activity and their structural changes compared to the original MDP molecule.

  • Musical Instrument Identification Using Deep Learning Approach
    • Maciej Blaszke
    • Bożena Kostek
    2022 Full text SENSORS

    The work aims to propose a novel approach for automatically identifying all instruments present in an audio excerpt using sets of individual convolutional neural networks (CNNs) per tested instrument. The paper starts with a review of tasks related to musical instrument identification. It focuses on tasks performed, input type, algorithms employed, and metrics used. The paper starts with the background presentation, i.e., metadata description and a review of related works. This is followed by showing the dataset prepared for the experiment and its division into subsets: training, validation, and evaluation. Then, the analyzed architecture of the neural network model is presented. Based on the described model, training is performed, and several quality metrics are determined for the training and validation sets. The results of the evaluation of the trained network on a separate set are shown. Detailed values for precision, recall, and the number of true and false positive and negative detections are presented. The model efficiency is high, with the metric values ranging from 0.86 for the guitar to 0.99 for drums. Finally, a discussion and a summary of the results obtained follows.

  • Mussel‐inspired biomaterials: From chemistry to clinic
    • Ali Taghizadeh
    • Mohsen Taghizadeh
    • Mohsen Khodadadi Yazdi
    • Payam Zarrintaj
    • Joshua D. Ramsey
    • Farzad Seidi
    • Florian J. Stadler
    • Haeshin Lee
    • Mohammad Saeb
    • Masoud Mozafari
    2022 Full text Bioengineering & Translational Medicine

    After several billions of years, nature still makes decisions on its own to identify, develop, and direct the most effective material for phenomena/challenges faced. Likewise, and inspired by the nature, we learned how to take steps in developing new technologies and materials innovations. Wet and strong adhesion by Mytilidae mussels (among which Mytilus edulis—blue mussel and Mytilus californianus—California mussel are the most well-known species) has been an inspiration in developing advanced adhesives for the moist condition. The wet adhesion phenomenon is significant in designing tissue adhesives and surgical sealants. However, a deep understanding of engaged chemical moieties, microenvironmental conditions of secreted proteins, and other contributing mechanisms for outstanding wet adhesion mussels are essential for the optimal design of wet glues. In this review, all aspects of wet adhesion of Mytilidae mussels, as well as different strategies needed for designing and fabricating wet adhesives are discussed from a chemistry point of view. Developed muscle-inspired chemistry is a versatile technique when designing not only wet adhesive, but also, in several more applications, especially in the bioengineering area. The applications of muscle-inspired biomaterials in various medical applications are summarized for future developments in the field.

  • Nanocząstki w chemioterapii: charakterystyka, strategie projektowania, mechanizm wnikania oraz degradacja wewnątrzkomórkowa
    • Joanna Pilch
    2022 Full text Postępy Biochemii

    Pomimo znaczącego postępu w leczeniu nowotworów skuteczne metody ich leczenia po-zostają ograniczone. Wciąż jedną z głównych metod terapii pozostaje chemioterapia, jednakże często wywołuje ona wiele efektów ubocznych. Związane jest to m. in. z brakiem istotnych różnic pomiędzy komórkami nowotworowymi a prawidłowymi, właściwościami fizykochemicznymi samych chemioterapeutyków, a także zjawiskiem lekooporności. W celu obniżenia działań niepożądanych oraz podniesienia specyficzności chemioterapeuty-ków względem komórek nowotworowych poszukiwane są nowe metody ich dostarczania do komórek guza. Jedną z nich jest zastosowanie nanocząstek (ang. Nanoparticles, NPs) jako platform transportujących. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono charakterystykę NPs po-siadających zastosowanie w chemioterapii m. in.: kropek kwantowych, nanocząstek złota, dendrymerów, miceli oraz liposomów. Omówiono także strategię w projektowaniu i opty-malizacji syntezy nanocząstek oraz oceny różnych mechanizmów ich wnikania do komórek, jak również ich degradację wewnątrzkomórkową oraz toksyczność.

  • Nanomaterials for photothermal and photodynamic cancer therapy
    • Behzad Nasseri
    • Effat Alizadeh
    • Farhad Bani
    • Soodabeh Davaran
    • Abolfazl Akbarzadeh
    • Navid Rabiee
    • Ali Bahadori
    • Mojtaba Ziaei
    • Mojtaba Bagherzadeh
    • Mohammad Saeb
    • Masoud Mozafari
    • Michael R. Hamblin
    2022 Applied Physics Reviews

    In recent years, the role of optically sensitive nanomaterials has become powerful moieties in therapeutic techniques and has become particularly emphasized. Currently, by the extraordinary development of nanomaterials in different fields of medicine, they have found new applications. Phototherapy modalities, such as photothermal therapy (PTT) by toxic heat generation and photodynamic therapy (PDT) by reactive oxygen species, are known as promising phototherapeutic techniques, which can overcome the limitations of conventional protocols. Moreover, nanomaterial-based PDT and PTT match the simultaneous immune therapy and increase the immune system stimulation resulting from the denaturation of cancer cells. Nevertheless, nanomaterials should have sufficient biocompatibility and efficiency to meet PDT and PTT requirements as therapeutic agents. The present review focuses on the therapeutic potency of PDT, PTT, and also their combined modalities, which are known alternative protocols with minimal morbidity integrated into gold standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy at tumor treatment and cancer-related infectious diseases. In addition, for deeper understanding, photoablation effects with emphasis on the nature, morphology, and size of photosensitive nanomaterials in PDT and PTT were studied. Finally, transportation techniques and moieties needed as carriers of photosensitizers and photothermal therapy agents to hard-accessed regions, for example, cancerous regions, were investigated

  • Nanosorbents as Materials for Extraction Processes of Environmental Contaminants and Others
    • María José Santoyo Treviño
    • Sergio Zarazúa
    • Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
    2022 Full text MOLECULES

    The aim of this work focuses on the application of nanomaterials (NMs) in different sorp- tive extraction techniques for the analysis of organic contaminants from environmental samples of distinct matrix compositions. Without any doubt, the integration of specific NMs such as carbona- ceous nanomaterials, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), silica na- noparticles, and ion-imprinted NPs with so lid-phase extraction techniques counting d-SPE, solid- phase microextraction (SPME), and stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) impact on the improvements in analytical performance. The application of NMs assorbents in the extraction of organic pollutants in environmental samples allows for providing better sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and reusability.

  • Nanostructure of the laser-modified transition metal nanocomposites for water splitting
    • Jakub Wawrzyniak
    • Jakub Karczewski
    • Emerson Coy
    • Jacek Ryl
    • Katarzyna Grochowska
    • Siuzdak Katarzyna
    2022 Full text NANOTECHNOLOGY

    Although hydrogen is considered by many to be the green fuel of the future, nowadays it is primarily produced through steam reforming, which is a process far from ecological. Therefore, emphasis is being put on the development of electrodes capable of the efficient production of hydrogen and oxygen from water. To make the green alternative possible, the solution should be cost-efficient and well processable, generating less waste which is a huge challenge. In this work, the laser-based modification technique of the titania nanotubes containing sputtered transition metal species (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) was employed. The characteristics of the electrodes are provided both for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, where the influence of the laser treatment has been found to have the opposite effect. The structural and chemical analysis of the substrate material provides insight into pathways towards more efficient, low-temperature water splitting. Laser-assisted integration of transition metal with the tubular nanostructure results in the match-like structure where the metal species are accumulated at the head. The electrochemical data indicates a significant decrease in material resistance that leads to an overpotential of only +0.69 V at 10 mA/cm2 for nickel-modified material.

  • Natural fish oil improves the differentiation and maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to oligodendrocytes in vitro after interaction with the blood–brain barrier
    • Paweł Piatek
    • Natalia Lewkowicz
    • Sylwia Michlewska
    • Marek Wieczorek
    • Radosław Bonikowski
    • Karol Parchem
    • Przemysław Lewkowicz
    • Magdalena Namiecinska
    2022 Full text Frontiers in Immunology

    The blood–brain barrier (BBB) tightly controls the microenvironment of the central nervous system (CNS) to allow neurons to function properly. Additionally, emerging studies point to the beneficial effect of natural oils affecting a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes in the human body. In this study, using an in vitro model of the BBB, we tested the influence of natural fish oil mixture (FOM) vs. borage oil (BO), both rich in longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) such as oleic acid (C18:1n9c) or nervonic acid (NA), on human oligodendrocyte precursor cells (hOPCs) during their maturation to oligodendrocytes (OLs) regarding their ability to synthesize myelin peptides and NA. We demonstrated that FOM, opposite to BO, supplemented endothelial cells (ECs) and astrocytes forming the BBB, affecting the function of hOPCs during their maturation. This resulted in improved synthesis of myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), proteolipid protein (PLP), and NA in mature OLs. This effect is probably the result of BBB cell and hOPC stimulation via free fatty acid receptors (FFARs), which increases insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inhibits fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) synthesis. The unique formula of fish oil, characterized by much more varied components compared to those of BOs, also improved the enhancement of the tight junction by increasing the expression of claudin-5 and VE-cadherin on ECs. The obtained data justify consideration of naturally derived fish oil intake in human diet as affecting during remyelination.

  • Natural sweeteners: Sources, extraction and current uses in foods and food industries
    • Roberto Castro-Muñoz
    • Mariela Correa-Delgado
    • Rafael Córdova-Almeida
    • David Lara-Nava
    • Mariana Chávez-Muñoz
    • Valeria Fernanda Velásquez-Chávez
    • Carlos Eduardo Hernández-Torres
    • Emilia Gontarek-Castro
    • Mohd Zamidi Ahmad
    2022 Full text FOOD CHEMISTRY

    Food producers have leaned towards alternative natural and synthetic sweeteners in food formulations to satisfy market demands. Even so, several synthetic sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, saccharin, sucralose) are becoming less popular due to health-related concerns, lower nutritional values, and controversies around their safety. Conversely, natural sweeteners confer favourable customer perceptions due to their association to a healthier lifestyle and higher nutritional values. This article discusses the evidence of natural sweeteners in the available commercial products. A comprehensive review of natural sweeteners is presented, which includes their resources, properties and extraction methods, as well as a discussion on several emerging technologies that offer improvements to the traditional extraction methods. Finally, the progress of natural sweeteners in the food industry is assessed, and the commercial food products containing these natural sweeteners are mentioned.