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Number of results: 10
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Abstract

The paper presents a concept of application of the RTK-GPS technique to surveys of railway tracks. The concept was examined during an experimental survey performed over a 2 km long track section. The test survey confirmed functionality and sufficient accuracy of the RTK-GPS method as applied to railway track measurements aimed at track regulation.
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Authors and Affiliations

Jan Gocal
Michał Strach
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Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d a n d s t u d y a i m s: The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of serum concentrations of YKL-40/ CHI3L1 (a 40-kilodalton glycoprotein also referred to as chitinase 3 like- 1 — CHI3L1) and PIIINP (N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen), markers of fibrosis, in the monitoring of inflammatory processes and fibrosis in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

P a t i e n t s a n d m e t h o d s: In 60 patients (41 with Crohn’s disease (CD), 19 with ulcerative colitis (UC)) concentrations of investigated parameters were measured at baseline (day 0), after 3 and after 6–8 weeks of pharmacological treatment.

R e s u l t s: PIIINP concentrations were significantly higher in CD patients compared to UC (baseline results: median concentrations 1013.73 vs 78.30 ng/mL; P = 0.06 for the Kruskall-Wallis test; results at 6–8 weeks: 1076.48 vs 53.10 ng/mL, P = 0.01). Fibrosis was clearly present in patients with CD and its severity increased (reflected by both YKL-40/ CHI3L1 and PIIINP concentrations) in 6–8 weeks of follow up, regardless of the treatment used during that time. In patients with UC the levels of YKL-40/CHI3L1 and PIIINP were lower at baseline and further decreased after 6–8 weeks (median concentrations were respectively: 39.5 ng/mL vs 24.7 ng/mL and 78.3 ng/mL vs 53.1 ng/mL).

C o n c l u s i o n: Fibrosis was more severe in CD than in UC patients. The marker that more accurately reflected these differences was PIIINP.

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Authors and Affiliations

Stanisław Pieczarkowski
Kinga Kowalska-Duplaga
Przemko Kwinta
Andrzej Wędrychowicz
Przemysław Tomasik
Anna Stochel-Gaudyn
Krzysztof Fyderek
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Abstract

The collapse of the Soviet Union was the cause of a significant decline in many economies of the newly created countries. However, many of them, including the Ukrainian economy, are slowly recovering. One of the largest branches of the economy in this country is construction, which, despite political turmoil, is constantly growing, especially in the private real estate development sector. Despite the fact that the construction market is constantly developing, it is limited by the costs of rework and alterations resulting from many reasons. The key negative effects of modifications to the results of the project are exceeding the budget and time of project implementation, dissatisfaction with the project team, violation of contractual requirements and lowering the quality of the final product. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to determine the reasons for the emergence of rework in the in Ukraine by analyzing the results of surveys conducted among construction enterprises.

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Authors and Affiliations

B. Trach
K. Pawluk
M. Lendo-Siwicka
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Abstract

This study aimed to develop an equine-derived hyperimmune serum against SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate its efficacy as a potential immunotherapy tool for the treatment of known and potential variants of COVID-19 in preclinical trials.
The novelty of this study is the whole virus and ALUM gel adjuvant formula. The horses were immunized using a whole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen, and the final purified hyperimmune serum showed high plaque reduction neutralization (PRNT 50) neutralizing titers. The efficacy of the hyperimmune serum was evaluated histopathologically and biochemically in the lungs, hearts, and serum of K18 hACE2 transgenic mice (n=45), which is an accepted model organism for SARS-CoV-2 studies and was challenged with live SARS-CoV-2.
Serum treatment improved the general condition, resulting in lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood plasma, as well as reduced viral RNA titers in the lungs and hearts. Additionally, it reduced oxidative stress significantly and lessened the severity of interstitial pneumonia in the lungs when compared to infected positive controls.
The study concluded that equine-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could be used for COVID-19 prevention and treatment, especially in the early stages of the disease and in combination with antiviral drugs and vaccines. This treatment will benefit special patient populations such as immunocompromised individuals, as specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 can neutralize the virus before it enters host cells. The rapid and cost-effective production of the serum allows for its availability during the acute phase of the disease, making it a critical intervention in preventing the spread of the disease and saving lives in new variants where a vaccine is not yet developed.
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Bibliography

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Authors and Affiliations

E.A. Onen
1
E.K. Demirci
2

  1. Kocak Pharmaceutical Company, Biotechnology and Vaccine R&D, Tekirdag, Turkey
  2. Histology and Embryology Department, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine,Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Abstract

This paper proposes the application of the digital numerical control (DNC) technique to connect the smart meter to the inspection system and evaluate the total harmonic distortion (THD) value of power supply voltage in IEEE 519 standard by measuring the system. Experimental design by the Taguchi method is proposed to evaluate the compatibility factors to choose Urethane material as an alternative to SS400 material for roller fabrication at the machining center. Computer vision uses artificial intelligence (AI) technique to identify object iron color in distinguishing black for urethane material and white for SS400 material, color recognition results are evaluated by measuring system, system measurement is locked when the object of identification is white material SS400. Computer vision using AI technology is also used to recognize facial objects and control the layout of machining staff positions according to their respective skills. The results obtained after the study are that the surface scratches in the machining center are reduced from 100% to zero defects and the surface polishing process is eliminated, shortening production lead time, and reducing 2 employees. The total operating cost of the processing line decreased by 5785 USD per year. Minitab 18.0 software uses statistical model analysis, experimental design, and Taguchi technical analysis to evaluate the process and experimentally convert materials for roller production. MATLAB 2022a runs a computer vision model using artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize color objects to classify Urethane and SS400 materials and recognize the faces of people who control employee layout positions according to their respective skills.
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Authors and Affiliations

Minh Ly Duc
1 2
Petr Bilik
2

  1. Faculty of Commerce, Van Lang University, 700000, Vietnam
  2. VSB–Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department ofCybernetics, and Biomedical Engineering, 708 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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Abstract

The implementation of EU environmental regulations in the energy sector is challenging for the power industry of its member states. The main role is played by documents such as the Winter Package and, especially, the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the emission limits of certain pollutants and the implementation of BAT conclusions in order to achieve the EU’s decarbonization objectives. These regulations impose a greater need to control harmful substances emitted to the atmosphere while using fossil fuels, including hard coal, which is the main fuel for domestic units. At the same time, the decline in domestic fossil fuel production and decrease in the quality of parameters of the hard coal makes it difficult to purchase the proper fuel for power plants. As a consequence, the costs of hard coal increase. The article presents the concept of a mathematical model that can be applied for the optimization of coal supplies. The employment of this model allows one to achieve cost reductions. One of the advantages of the proposed tool, in addition to minimizing the cost of purchase and use of hard coal, is its rational management, especially for companies producing and using hard coal.

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Authors and Affiliations

Marcin Malec
ORCID: ORCID
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Abstract

Paper presents the results of experimental and numerical research of a model segment of a labyrinth seal for a different wear level. The analysis covers the extent of leakage and distribution of static pressure in the seal chambers and the planes upstream and downstream of the segment. The measurement data have been compared with the results of numerical calculations obtained using commercial software. Based on the flow conditions occurring in the area subjected to calculations, the size of the mesh defined by parameter y+has been analyzed and the selection of the turbulence model has been described. The numerical calculations were based on the measurable thermodynamic parameters in the seal segments of steam turbines. The work contains a comparison of the mass flow and distribution of static pressure in the seal chambers obtained during the measurement and calculated numerically in a model segment of the seal of different level of wear.
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Authors and Affiliations

Damian Joachimiak
Piotr Krzyślak
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Abstract

Numerous films, especially reinterpretations of the Gospel, can be read as loci theologici. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that the commercially motivated interest of filmmakers has its theological consequences: a resulting challenge is the catechetical use of apocryphal films in the pastoral praxis of the Church. The paper recalls main documents of the Church, relating to the cinema, stressing the absence of official teaching on the cinema in the last 20 years. Films, produced with commercial motivation, are often kitsch; it’s a result of tendencies to gain the possibly large audiences and to fulfill their expectations. An analysis of selected films (e.g. The Passion of the Christ and Son of God) indicates that the kitschy audiovisual apocrypha, superficial, emotional and lacking of authenticity, become a false filmic transformation of the message of the Bible. The paper postulates the need of constructing a theology of film: its object could be audiovisual texts, which extra-ecclesial theologies influence religious imagination and thinking of the viewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

Ks. Marek Lis

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