Incremental document map formation: multi-stage approach

The paper presents methodology for the incremental map formation in a multi-stage process of a search engine with the map based user interface1. The architecture of the experimental system allows for comparative evaluation of different constituent technologies for various stages of the process. The quality of the map generation process has been investigated based on a number of clustering and classification measures. Some conclusions concerning the impact of various technological solutions on map quality are presented

Cyclopenta[c]phenanthrene induction of CYP1A in brain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

We assessed the effects of cyclopenta[c]phenanthrene (CP[c]Ph) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P; positive control) on CYP1A gene expression in brain of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR). A group of hatchery raised rainbow trout, with an average body mass of 49.4 g and total length of 15.5 cm were given an intraperitoneal injection (10 mg*kg-1) of either CP[c]Ph or B[a]P in corn oil (2 mg*mi-1 corn oil) or corn oil alone (control). After 24 and 48 h, trout brains were collected for mRNA isolation and analysis. After 24 hours of the exposure, only B[a]P-treated rainbow trout had 10-fold higher number of CYP1A transcripts (mean = 3.63*106 transcripts*µg-1 total RNA) than control fish (3.24*105 transcripts*µg-1 total RNA; Tukey test, P<0.05). After 48 hrs, significantly higher levels of CYP1A expression (Tukey test, P<0.001) were found in either CP[c]Ph- or B[a]P- induced group (1.45*106 and 6.92*106 transcriptsźµg-1 total RNA, respectively) over a control group (mean=1.41*105 transcripts*µg-1 total RNA). The finding that CYP1A in brain tissue was inducible by CP[c]Ph, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) of different than B[a]P planar characteristics, may further validate the use of rainbow trout brain CYP1A mRNA levels as a biomarker of PAH exposure

Comparison of PCR-DGGE and Nested-PCR-DGGE Approach for Ammonia Oxidizers Monitoring in Membrane Bioreactors’ Activated Sludge

Nitritation, the first stage of ammonia removal process is known to be limiting for total process performance. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) which perform this process are obligatory activated sludge habitants, a mixture consisting of Bacteria, Protozoa and Metazoa used for biological wastewater treatment. Due to this fact they are an interesting bacterial group, from both the technological and ecological point of view. AOB changeability and biodiversity analyses both in wastewater treatment plants and lab-scale reactors are performed on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences using PCR-DGGE (Polymerase Chain Reaction – Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) as a molecular biology tool. AOB researches are usually led with nested PCR. Because the application of nested PCR is laborious and time consuming, we have attempted to check the possibility of using only first PCR round to obtain DGGE fingerprinting of microbial communities. In this work we are comparing the nested and non-nested PCR-DGGE monitoring of an AOB community and presenting advantages and disadvantages of both methods used. The experiment revealed that PCR technique is a very sensitive tool for the amplification of even a minute amount of DNA sample. But in the case of nested-PCR, the sensitivity is higher and the template amount could be even smaller. The nested PCR-DGGE seems to be a better tool for AOB community monitoring and complexity research in activated sludge, despite shorter fragments of DNA amplification which seems to be a disadvantage in the case of bacteria identification. It is recommended that the sort of analysis approach should be chosen according to the aim of the study: nested-PCR-DGGE for community complexity analysis, while PCR-DGGE for identification of the dominant bacteria

Unsupervised SIFT features-to-Image Translation using CycleGAN

The generation of video content from a small set of data representing the features of objects has very promising application prospects. This is particularly important in the context of the work of the MPEG Video Coding for Machine group, where various efforts are being undertaken related to efficient image coding for machines and humans. The representation of feature points well understood by machines in a video form, which is easy to understand by humans, is an important current challenge. This paper presents results on the ability to generate images from a set of SIFT feature points without descriptors using the generative adversarial network CycleGAN. The impact of the SIFT keypoint representation method on the learning quality of the network is presented. The results and a subjective evaluation of the generated images are presented

SHORT COMMUNICATION <br>Evaluation of the dental status in patients referred for heart surgery – a preliminary report

The authors examined the oral health status in 100 consecutive patients of the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, referred to scheduled heart operations. 26% of them were edentulous and they did not undergo closer clinical examination. Patients with natural dentition made 74% of the examined group. Oral hygiene in majority of the cases was not satisfactory – in 64% of the patients calculus and accompanying gingivitis were found. 17% of patients had neither treated nor removed roots. A DMF (Decay Missing Filled) index and treatment index were calculated in these patients as well. Mean values of the DMF index are: D – 3, M – 17, F – 4. The mean value of the treatment index equals 0.57. Lymphadenopathy was observed in 42% of cases. Our findings indicate that during qualification to a heart surgery dental examination and treatment should be considered

The Resistome of ESKAPEE Pathogens in Untreated and Treated Wastewater: A Polish Case Study

The aim of this study was to quantify ESKAPEE bacteria, genes encoding resistance to antibiotics targeting this group of pathogens, as well as integrase genes in municipal wastewater and river water. Environmental DNA was extracted from the collected samples and used in deep sequencing with the Illumina TruSeq kit. The abundance of bacterial genera and species belonging to the ESKAPEE group, 400 ARGs associated with this microbial group, and three classes of integrase genes were determined. A taxonomic analysis revealed that Acinetobacter was the dominant bacterial genus, whereas Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli were the dominant bacterial species. The analyzed samples were characterized by the highest concentrations of the following ARGs: blaGES, blaOXA-58, blaTEM, qnrB, and qnrS. Acinetobacter baumannii, E. coli, and genes encoding resistance to &beta;-lactams (blaVEB-1, blaIMP-1, blaGES, blaOXA-58, blaCTX-M, and blaTEM) and fluoroquinolones (qnrS) were detected in samples of river water collected downstream from the wastewater discharge point. The correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between A. baumannii (bacterial species regarded as an emerging human pathogen) and genes encoding resistance to all tested groups of antimicrobials. The transmission of the studied bacteria (in particular A. baumannii) and ARGs to the aquatic environment poses a public health risk

Modelling and Validation of the Composite Shell of a Train Seat

The subject of the modelling work and the conducted experiments is the composite shell of a train seat. The activities carried out involved designing the geometry, planning the material structure, and selecting the materials to be used. The shell was built using polymer matrix fibrous composites (i.e. FRP – Fibre Reinforced Polymer – composites), which are lighter than steel and comply with the relevant standards for strength and safety at the same time. This was followed by creating a computational model for the shell and conducting a strength analysis in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant industry standard and strength hypotheses adopted for FRP composites. The calculations were conducted using ANSYS Composite PrepPost software based on the finite element method. The article offers a strength analysis of an optimised composite shell of a train seat. Based on the guidelines obtained as a result of the conducted modelling work, a physical prototype (validation model) of the seat was created. Hot vacuum lamination technology was applied in the production process. The experimental validation of the model, producing a positive result, was conducted using a test stand owned by S.Z.T.K. TAPS – Maciej Kowalski

Modelowanie i walidacja wytrzymałościowa kompozytowej skorupy nośnej fotela kolejowego

Przedmiotem prac modelowych i badań doświadczalnych jest kompozytowa skorupa nośna fotela kolejowego. Zaprojektowano kształt geometryczny i strukturę materiałową konstrukcji oraz dobrano materiały. Do budowy skorupy wykorzystano kompozyty włókniste o osnowie polimerowej (kompozyty FRP – Fiber Reinforce Polimer), które są lżejsze w porównaniu ze stalą i jednocześnie zapewniają odpowiednie standardy z zakresu wytrzymałości i bezpieczeństwa. Opracowano obliczeniowy model skorupy i przeprowadzono analizę wytrzymałościową zgodnie z wytycznymi branżowej normy oraz hipotezami wytrzymałościowymi dotyczącymi kompozytów FRP. Obliczenia przeprowadzono za pomocą oprogramowania ANSYS (Ansys Composite PrepPost), bazującego na metodzie elementów skończonych. W artykule przedstawiono analizę wytrzymałościową zoptymalizowanego modelu kompozytowej skorupy nośnej fotela. Na podstawie wytycznych z prac modelowych wytworzono model fi zyczny (walidacyjny), w technologii laminowania próżniowego na gorąco. Walidację doświadczalną modelowania z wynikiem pozytywnym przeprowadzono na stanowisku badawczym fi rmy S.Z.T.K. TAPS – Maciej Kowalski

Modelowanie i walidacja wytrzymałościowa kompozytowej skorupy nośnej fotela kolejowego

Przedmiotem prac modelowych i badań doświadczalnych jest kompozytowa skorupa nośna fotela kolejowego. Zaprojektowano kształt geometryczny i strukturę materiałową konstrukcji oraz dobrano materiały. Do budowy skorupy wykorzystano kompozyty włókniste o osnowie polimerowej (kompozyty FRP – Fiber Reinforce Polimer), które są lżejsze w porównaniu ze stalą i jednocześnie zapewniają odpowiednie standardy z zakresu wytrzymałości i bezpieczeństwa. Opracowano obliczeniowy model skorupy i przeprowadzono analizę wytrzymałościową zgodnie z wytycznymi branżowej normy oraz hipotezami wytrzymałościowymi dotyczącymi kompozytów FRP. Obliczenia przeprowadzono za pomocą oprogramowania ANSYS (Ansys Composite PrepPost), bazującego na metodzie elementów skończonych. W artykule przedstawiono analizę wytrzymałościową zoptymalizowanego modelu kompozytowej skorupy nośnej fotela. Na podstawie wytycznych z prac modelowych wytworzono model fizyczny (walidacyjny), w technologii laminowania próżniowego na gorąco. Walidację doświadczalną modelowania z wynikiem pozytywnym przeprowadzono na stanowisku badawczym firmy S.Z.T.K. TAPS – Maciej Kowalski