2021 - Repozytorium publikacji - Politechnika Gdańska

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ANFIS-Based NPC Population Control in Video Games
- Tomasz Boiński
2021 Pełny tekst
Modern computer games aim at providing rich, vivid worlds. The aim is to encourage the player to explore and interact with the in-game world. To describe the complex relations between in-game NPCs and their surrounding fuzzy logic is used. The paper presents ANFIS based population control in the video game. We present an approach allowing stabilizing the number of NPCs in-game by providing a certain amount of food to the environment. The aim of the solution is to emulate a lifelike but stable environment. The system is tasked to react to the player's actions. The paper describes the solution and provides its evaluation.
Antibiotic Resistance of Uropathogens Isolated from Patients Hospitalized in District Hospital in Central Poland in 2020
- Barbara Kot
- Agata Grużewska
- Piotr Szweda
- Jolanta Wicha
- Urszula Parulska
2021 Pełny tekst Antibiotics-Basel
The aim of this study was to determine antibiotic resistance patterns and the prevalence of uropathogenes causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients hospitalized in January–June 2020 in central Poland. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk-diffusion method. Escherichia coli (52.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.7%), Enterococcus faecalis (9.3%), E. faecium (6.2%), and Proteus mirabilis (4,3%) were most commonly isolated from urine samples. E. coli was significantly more frequent in women (58.6%) (p = 0.0089) and in the age group 0–18, while K. pneumoniae was more frequent in men (24.4%) (p = 0.0119) and in individuals aged 40–60 and >60. Gram-negative species showed resistance to ampicillin. K. pneumoniae were resistant to amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid (75.0%), piperacillin plus tazobactam (76.2%), cefotaxime (76.2%), cefuroxime (81.0%), ciprofloxacin (81.0%), and trimethoprim plus sulphamethoxazole (81.0%). Carbapenems were effective against all E. coli and P. mirabilis. Some K. pneumoniae (13.6%) produced metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). E. coli (22.6%), K. pneumoniae (81.8%), and all E. faecium were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Some E. coli (26.2%), K. pneumoniae (63.6%), and P. mirabilis (14.3%) isolates produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). Vancomycin-resistant E. faecium was also found. This study showed that the possibilities of UTIs therapy using available antibiotics become limited due to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant uropathogens.
Anticancer Properties of Amino Acid and Peptide Derivatives of Mycophenolic Acid
- Agnieszka Siebert
- Milena Deptuła
- Mirosława Cichorek
- Anna Ronowska
- Grzegorz Cholewiński
- Janusz Rachoń
2021 Pełny tekst Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Background: Although Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) is applied as prodrugs in clinic as an immunosuppressant, it also possesses anticancer activity. MPA acts as Inosine-5’-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor, where the carboxylic group at the end of the side chain interacts with Ser 276 of the enzyme via hydrogen bonds. Therefore, MPA derivatives with other polar groups indicated high inhibition too. On the other hand, potent anticancer agents like dacarbazine and cisplatin give numerous side-effects. Objective: Based on the literature data, MPA derivatives should be explored towards anticancer properties. Conversion of the carboxylic group of MPA to amide could maintain antiproliferative activity. Therefore, we decided to investigate several amino acid and peptide derivatives of MPA against chosen cancer cell lines in vitro. Methods: Amides of MPA hold threonine and arginine amino acid unit. These amino acid derivatives were tested as L and D enantiomers and both in free acid and methyl esters forms. Additionally, MPA was modified with tuftsin or retro-tuftsin as biologically active peptides, which could act as a drug carrier. Results: Amino acid and peptide derivatives of MPA were investigated in vitro as potential anticancer agents on cell lines: Ab melanoma, A375 melanoma and SHSY5Y neuroblastoma. The activity of the tested compounds was compared to parent MPA and known chemotherapeutics: dacarbazine and cisplatin. Conclusion: Amino acid moiety and the sequence of amino acids in the peptide part influenced observed activity. The most active amino acid MPA analogues occurred to be D and L-threonine derivatives as methyl esters, probably due to better cell membrane penetration.
Antifungal Activity of Capridine β as a Consequence of Its Biotransformation into Metabolite Affecting Yeast Topoisomerase II Activity
- Iwona Gabriel
- Kamila Rząd
- Ewa Paluszkiewicz
- Katarzyna Kozłowska-Tylingo
2021 Pełny tekst Pathogens
In the last few years,increasing importance is attached to problems caused by fungal pathogens. Current methods of preventing fungal infections remain unsatisfactory. There are several antifungal compounds whichare highly effective in some cases, however, they have limitations in usage: Nephrotoxicity and other adverse effects. In addition, the frequent use of available fungistatic drugs promotes drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of a novel antifungal drug with a different mechanism of action, blocking of the fungal DNA topoisomerases activity appear to be a promising idea. According to previous studies on the m-AMSA moderate inhibitory effect on fungal topoisomerase II, we have decided to study Capridine β (also acridine derivative)antifungal activity,as well as its inhibitory potential on yeast topoisomerase II (yTOPOII). Results indicated that Capridineβantifungal activity depends on the kind of strains analyzed (MICs range 0.5–64μgmL−1) and is related to its biotransformation in the cells. An investigation of metabolite formation, identified as Capridine β reduction product (IE1) by the fungus Candida albicanswas performed. IE1 exhibited no activity against fungal cells due to an inability to enter thecells. Although no antifungal activity was observed, in contrast to Capridine β, biotransformation metabolite totally inhibited the yTOPOII-mediated relaxation at concentrations lower than detected for m-AMSA. The closely related Capridine βonly slightly diminished the catalytic activity of yTOPOII.
Antiproliferative, Antiangiogenic, and Antimetastatic Therapy Response by Mangiferin in a Syngeneic Immunocompetent Colorectal Cancer Mouse Model Involves Changes in Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism
- César Julio Rodriguez-Gonzalez
- Ivones Hernández-Balmaseda
- Ken Declerck
- Claudina Pérez-Novo
- Emilie Logie
- Claudia Theys
- Patrycja Jakubek
- Luisa Olga Quiñones-Maza
- Geovanni Dantas-Cassali
- Diego Carlos dos Reis
- Guy Van Camp
- Miriam Teresa Lopes Paz
- Idania Rodeiro-Guerra
- René Delgado-Hernández
- Wim Vanden Berghe
2021 Pełny tekst Frontiers in Pharmacology
In spite of the current advances and achievements in cancer treatments, colorectal cancer (CRC) persists as one of the most prevalent and deadly tumor types in both men and women worldwide. Drug resistance, adverse side effects and high rate of angiogenesis, metastasis and tumor relapse remain one of the greatest challenges in long-term management of CRC and urges need for new leads of anticancer drugs. We demonstrate that CRC treatment with the phytopharmaceutical mangiferin (MGF), a glucosylxanthone present in Mango tree stem bark and leaves (Mangifera Indica L.), induces dose-dependent tumor regression and decreases lung metastasis in a syngeneic immunocompetent allograft mouse model of murine CT26 colon carcinoma, which increases overall survival of mice. Antimetastatic and antiangiogenic MGF effects could be further validated in a wound healing in vitro model in human HT29 cells and in a matrigel plug implant mouse model. Interestingly, transcriptome pathway enrichment analysis demonstrates that MGF inhibits tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis by multitargeting of mitochondrial oxidoreductase and fatty acid β-oxidation metabolism, PPAR, SIRT, NFκB, Stat3, HIF, Wnt and GP6 signaling pathways. MGF effects on fatty acid β-oxidation metabolism and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) protein expression could be further confirmed in vitro in human HT29 colon cells. In conclusion, antitumor, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic effects of MGF treatment hold promise to reduce adverse toxicity and to mitigate therapeutic outcome of colorectal cancer treatment by targeting mitochondrial energy metabolism in the tumor microenvironment.
Application of advanced spectroscopic methods in the assessment of the leachability degree of hazardous elements from the matrix of cellular concretea
- Paulina Augustyniak
- Alicja Saczuk
- Hubert Byliński
- Bartłomiej Cieślik
2021
Due to its structure, autoclaved cellular concrete exhibits good insulating properties with relatively high compressive strength values. It is increasingly used in construction because of its economic attractiveness. Autoclaved cellular concrete is mainly used in interior structure layers, and therefore its potential exposure to heavy metal leaching from the matrix may be related to the presence of a high pH medium from other materials in the structure. The effectiveness of the immobilization of hazardous substances potentially occurring in the concrete structure depends on many factors, including the charac-teristics of the raw material input and the conditions of material maturation. This study investigated the immobilization level of potentially hazardous substances in cellular concrete available on the Polish market. The leaching of heavy metals from the aforementioned materials, using different media and environments for the exploita-tion of potential future building blocks was also discussed, as well as the possibility of using advanced spectroscopic techniques in this type of study.
Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Insulation Properties of Lightweight Concrete
- Marzena Kurpińska
- Leszek Kułak
- Tadeusz Miruszewski
- Marcin Byczuk
2021 Pełny tekst Applied Sciences-Basel
Predicting the properties of concrete before its design and application process allows for refining and optimizing its composition. However, the properties of lightweight concrete are much harder to predict than those of normal weight concrete, especially if the forecast concerns the insulating properties of concrete with artificial lightweight aggregate (LWA). It is possible to use porous aggregates and precisely modify the composition of lightweight concrete (LWC) with specific insulating properties. In this case, it is advisable to determine the parameters of the components and perform preliminary laboratory tests, and then use theoretical methods (e.g., artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict not only the mechanical properties of lightweight concrete, but also its thermal insulation properties. Fifteen types of lightweight concrete, differing in light filler, were tested. Lightweight aggregates with different grain diameters and lightweight aggregate grains with different porosity were used. For the tests, expanded glass was applied as a filler with very good thermal insulation properties and granulated sintered fly ash, characterized by a relatively low density and high crushing strength in the group of LWAs. The aim of the work is to demonstrate the usefulness of an ANN for the determination of the relationship between the selection of the type and quantity of LWA and porosity, density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity (TC) of the LWC.
Application of chromogenic dye in biogenic amines determination using spectrophotometry
- Kaja Kalinowska
- Marek Tobiszewski
2021 Pełny tekst
Biogenic amines content can be the source of information in the field of freshness and suitability of certain foods for consumption. However, most analytical methods for their determination require complicated sample preparation and expert knowledge. Because of that, a novel approach based on chromogenic dye application was proposed. After the SN1 reaction of an amine with S 0378 dye, the absorbance of the solution was measured using spectrophotometry. With the proposed methodology, it was possible to determine total biogenic amines content in the range of 0.5–100 μg L–1 with a determination coefficient exceeding 0.98.
Application of deep eutectic solvents (DES) in analytical chemistry
- Aleksandra Kramarz
- Patrycja Makoś-Chełstowska
- Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
2021 Pełny tekst
Recent years have been associated with efforts to reduce the impact on the natural environment. A greener approach has been introduced in various areas of science, including analytical chemistry. One of the basic procedures for preparing a sample for analysis is its extraction. Traditional methods involve the use of large amounts of organic compounds, often toxic, with an unfavorable impact on the environment. A representative of the “green” approach to the problem of organic solvents are new materials - deep eutectic solvents (DES). They are promising solvents with many advantages (low toxicity, biodegradability, low cost), which are increasingly used in many chemical and technological processes, including the extraction process.
Application of deep eutectic solvents for separation and determination of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants
- Alina Kalyniukova
- Jaroslav Holuša
- David Musiolek
- Jana Sedlakova-Kadukova
- Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
- Vasil Andruch
2021 Pełny tekst INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
The medicinal plants industry, particularly in regard to products rich in biologically active substances for maintaining health, has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, with sales of over-the-counter drugs containing these substances growing by billions of dollars. Attention has thus also been paid to the safety and effectiveness of these medicines. We are currently witnessing a rapid increase in the number of publications devoted to the development of new separation procedures that are not only fast and cheap but also more efficient and eco-friendlier, improving both yields and quality of extracts quality without using hazardous organic solvents. The new approaches include those that use deep eutectic solvents (DES), which are characterized by unique parameters. In fact, DESs can be used for both the isolation and determination of biologically active substances in medicinal plants. Therefore, the purpose of the review is to gather details on the application of DESs in the separation of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants and to provide a solid background for future research in this area. To cover these aspects, the available data and references in the field of interest are reviewed and summarized.
Application of different building representation techniques in HEC-RAS 2-D for urban flood modeling using the Toce River experimental case
- Andam Mustafa
- Michał Szydłowski
2021 Pełny tekst PeerJ
This paper presents the impact of the choice of building representation techniques and hydrodynamic models on urban flood simulations using HEC-RAS 2-D for the Toce River physical model. To this end, eight numerical models based on previous laboratory experiments were prepared to simulate unsteady urban flooding on each side of building units. Two simplified building layouts (aligned and staggered) were examined, where models were prepared for two different building representation techniques: Building Block (BB) and Building Resistance (BR). Water depth variation computations using the BR and BB techniques were compared to the laboratory measurements and previous studies in the literature. A statistical analysis was performed using both the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) in order to evaluate the performance of the models. A sensitivity analysis showed that the proper mesh resolution and model parameter values were obtained. As far as the BR technique is concerned, it is well-suited for representing building units in numerical simulations using high Manning coefficients. Furthermore, this study confirms the importance of the BR technique, which should help researchers in using low-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) along with open-source programs. Moreover, the study aims to produce a deeper comprehension of numerical modeling and urban flooding.
Application of discrete wavelet transform in seismic nonlinear analysis of soil–structure interaction problems
- Reza Kamgar
- Reihaneh Tavakoli
- Peyman Rahgozar
- Robert Jankowski
2021 EARTHQUAKE SPECTRA
Simulation of soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects is a time-consuming and costly process. However, ignoring the influence of SSI on structural response may lead to inaccurate results, especially in the case of seismic nonlinear analysis. In this paper, wavelet transform methodology has been utilized for investigation of the seismic response of soil-structure systems. For this purpose, different storey outrigger braced buildings resting on two different types of soil have been considered for SSI analysis. For each SSI system, several seismic records, with different values of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV), have been firstly decomposed into approximate and detailed signals using a discrete wavelet transform. Then, seismic responses of the SSI systems subjected to the approximate signal have been evaluated. The results of the study show that, for earthquakes with low PGA/PGV ratio, the error percentage of all the parameters is smaller than 5% for the first level, and the error-index is below 10% for the third level. As the PGA/PGV ratio of an earthquake increases, the concordance of approximate results with the main results decreases. However, even for the earthquakes with the PGA/PGV ratio higher than 1.2 g·sec/m, the first-level approximation can be used to predict seismic responses with at least 90% accuracy while significantly reducing the computational time.
APPLICATION OF ENTROPY-BASED METHODS TO DISTINGUISH HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS WITH NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM FROM PATIENTS WITH CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
- Katarzyna Tessmer
2021
In this paper, we examined whether entropy-based methods are able to differentiate healthy individuals from patients with congestive heart failure. To this aim, we applied two methods: Permutation Entropy and Block Entropy. Long-term ECG recordings (75 000 RR intervals) were analyzed. The results proved that both methods can distinguish those groups on condition that the parameters are appropriately chosen.
Application of Open-Hardware-Based Solutions for Rapid Transition From Stationary to the Remote Teaching Model During Pandemic
- Adrian Bekasiewicz
- Bogdan Pankiewicz
- Marek Wójcikowski
- Miron Kłosowski
- Sławomir Kozieł
2021 IEEE Transactions on Education
While research indicates usefulness of remote laboratories in teaching of digital hardware systems, their main application is to complement stationary classes. This work presents a low-cost, scalable architecture that supports rapid transformation of teaching to a model based solely on remote access mechanisms. Background: Adaptation of online laboratory solutions from the literature to en-masse teaching of digital circuits is timeconsuming and expensive. Solutions that permit cheap and rapid conversion of courses to remote environments seem to be of high value, especially when social distancing renders direct teaching impossible. Intended Outcomes: Demonstration of a flexible and cheap architecture that permits rapid transformation of digital circuits laboratories to the remote environment. Validation of system’s performance and usefulness on a large group of students. Application Design: Remote digital circuits laboratories from the literature are designed to complement stationary classes. For successful teaching during pandemic, a low-cost, flexible, and efficient solution to online laboratory based on commonly available technologies is required. Findings: The proposed remote laboratory architecture enables rapid conversion of on-site teaching to online model, while supporting in-situ upgrades and functionality enhancements. The presented solution proved to be a convenient substitute for conventional laboratories during pandemic.
Application of regularized Savitzky–Golay filters to identification of time-varying systems
- Maciej Niedźwiecki
- Marcin Ciołek
- Artur Gańcza
- Piotr Kaczmarek
2021 Pełny tekst AUTOMATICA
Savitzky–Golay (SG) filtering is a classical signal smoothing technique based on the local least squares approximation of the analyzed signal by a linear combination of known functions of time (originally — powers of time, which corresponds to polynomial approximation). It is shown that the regularized version of the SG algorithm can be successfully applied to identification of time-varying finite impulse response (FIR) systems. Such a solution is possible owing to the recently proposed preestimation technique, which converts the problem of identification of a time-varying FIR system into the problem of smoothing of the appropriately generated preestimates of system parameters. The resulting fast regularized local basis function estimators, optimized using the empirical Bayes approach, have very good parameter tracking capabilities, favorably comparing with the state-of-the-art in terms of accuracy, computational complexity and numerical robustness.
Application of shifted Chebyshev polynomial-based Rayleigh–Ritz method and Navier’s technique for vibration analysis of a functionally graded porous beam embedded in Kerr foundation
- Subrat Kumar Jena
- S. Chakraverty
- Mohammad Malikan
2021 Pełny tekst ENGINEERING WITH COMPUTERS
Present study is dealt with the applicability of shifted Chebyshev polynomial based Rayleigh-Ritz method and Navier’s technique on free vibration of Functionally Graded (FG) beam with uniformly distributed porosity along the thickness of the beam. The material properties such as Young’s modulus, mass density, and Poisson’s ratio are also considered to vary along the thickness of the FG beam as per the power-law exponent model. The porous FG beam is embedded in an elastic substrate; namely, the Kerr elastic foundation and the displacement field of the beam is governed by a Refined Higher Order Shear Deformation Theory (RHSDT). The effectiveness of the Rayleigh-Ritz method is due to the use of the shifted Chebyshev polynomials as a shape function. The orthogonality of shifted Chebyshev polynomial makes the technique more computationally efficient and avoid ill-conditioning for the higher number of terms of the polynomial. Hinged-Hinged (HH), Clamped-Hinged (CH), Clamped-Clamped (CC), and Clamped-Free (CF) boundary conditions have been taken into account for the parametric study. Validation of the present model is examined by comparing it with existing literature in special cases showing remarkable agreement. A pointwise convergence study is also carried out for shifted Chebyshev polynomial based Rayleigh-Ritz method and the effect of power-law exponent, porosity volume fraction index, and elastic foundation on natural frequencies are studied comprehensively.
Application of Spinel and Hexagonal Ferrites in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis
- Zuzanna Bielan
- Szymon Dudziak
- Adam Kubiak
- Ewa Kowalska
2021 Pełny tekst Applied Sciences-Basel
Semiconducting materials display unique features that enable their use in a variety of applications, including self-cleaning surfaces, water purification systems, hydrogen generation, solar energy conversion, etc. However, one of the major issues is separation of the used materials from the process suspension. Therefore, chemical compounds with magnetic properties have been proposed as crucial components of photocatalytic composites, facilitating separation and recovery of photocatalysts under magnetic field conditions. This review paper presents the current state of knowledge on the application of spinel and hexagonal ferrites in heterogeneous photocatalysis. The first part focuses on the characterization of magnetic (nano)particles. The next section presents the literature findings on the single-phase magnetic photocatalyst. Finally, the current state of scientific knowledge on the wide variety of magnetic-photocatalytic composites is presented. A key aim of this review is to indicate that spinel and hexagonal ferrites are considered as an important element of heterogeneous photocatalytic systems and are responsible for the effective recycling of the photocatalytic materials.
Application of the F-statistic of the Fisher-Snedecor distribution to analyze the significance of the effect of changes in the compression ratio of a diesel engine on the value of the specific enthalpy of the exhaust gas flow
- Patrycja Puzdrowska
2021 Pełny tekst Combustion Engines
The paper discusses the impact of changes in the compression ratio on the operating parameters of a diesel engine, e.g. on the temperature of exhaust gases. It presents the construction of the laboratory test stand, on which experimental measurements were realized. It is characterized how the actual changes of the compression ratio were introduced to the existing engine. The program of experimental investigations taking into account the available test stand and measurement possibilities was described. A statistical and qualitative analysis of the obtained measurement results was made. The use of F statistics of the Fisher-Snedecor distribution was proposed to assess the significance of the effect of compression ratio changes on the specific enthalpy of the exhaust gas stream. The specific enthalpy of exhaust gases was analysed for one cycle of diesel engine work, determined on the basis of the course of quickly varying temperature of exhaust gases. The results of these analyses are discussed and the utilitarian purpose of this type of evaluation in parametric diagnostics of piston engines is presented.
Application of ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane packed liquid samples for polyphenols determination in wine samples
- Magdalena Fabjanowicz
- Alicia Robles
- Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
2021 Pełny tekst
Polyphenols play a crucial role in a proper human health maintenance as well as their presence very often correspond to the quality assessment of producs like wine. Thus, their monitoring is of high interest. However, as they occur in a complex matrices their extraction is very often necessary prior the analysis. Herein, a new ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane packed liquid sample technique has been optimized for the determination of polyphenols in wine samples as an alternative for existing methods used prior gas chromatography – mass spectrometry analysis. Achieved accuracy is in the range of 100.7 – 108.3 while recovery between 97 – 110% from spiked samples at 5 to 10 ppm concentration range. LOD ranges between 0.174-1.99 µg/mL while LOQ 0.522-5.97 µg/mL.
Applications of Additively Manufactured Tools in Abrasive Machining—A Literature Review
- Mariusz Deja
- Dawid Zieliński
- Aini Zuhra Abdul Kadir
- Siti Nur Humaira
2021 Pełny tekst Materials
High requirements imposed by the competitive industrial environment determine the development directions of applied manufacturing methods. 3D printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), currently being one of the most dynamically developing production methods, is increasingly used in many different areas of industry. Nowadays, apart from the possibility of making prototypes of future products, AM is also used to produce fully functional machine parts, which is known as Rapid Manufacturing and also Rapid Tooling. Rapid Manufacturing refers to the ability of the software automation to rapidly accelerate the manufacturing process, while Rapid Tooling means that a tool is involved in order to accelerate the process. Abrasive processes are widely used in many industries, especially for machining hard and brittle materials such as advanced ceramics. This paper presents a review on advances and trends in contemporary abrasive machining related to the application of innovative 3D printed abrasive tools. Examples of abrasive tools made with the use of currently leading AM methods and their impact on the obtained machining results were indicated. The analyzed research works indicate the great potential and usefulness of the new constructions of the abrasive tools made by incremental technologies. Furthermore, the potential and limitations of currently used 3D printed abrasive tools, as well as the directions of their further development are indicated.