The characteristics of a modern oxy-fuel power plant

This paper presents the thermodynamic and economic analyses of four variants of a supercritical oxy-type plant. These variants differed in terms of air separation units (ASU, variants: V1—cryogenic; V2—hybrid; equipped with a three-end (V3a) or four-end (V3b) high-temperature membrane) and boilers (V1 and V3a—lignite-fired fluidized-bed; V2 and V3b—hard-coal-fired pulverized-fuel). The gross power of steam turbine unit (STU) was 600 MW. The live and reheated steam parameters were 650 °C/30 MPa and 670 °C/6.5 MPa, respectively. The influence of the ASUs’ operating parameters on the ASUs’ auxiliary power rate and boiler efficiency (V3a and V3b only) was studied. The ASUs’ operating parameters for maximum net efficiency were then determined. The decrease in the net efficiency compared to a reference plant (with a classic fluidized-bed or pulverized-fuel boiler) fluctuated in the range 7.2 (V3b)–11.2 (V1) p.p. An analysis of the waste heat utilization was performed (fuel drying—V1 and V3a; STU steam-water heat exchangers replacing). Thus, the efficiency decreases fluctuated in the range 4.3 (V3b)–10.2 (V1) p.p. The economic analysis showed that in order for the variants to be economically viable, the unit CO2 emission cost should be greater than 42.2 (V1) or 22.0 (V3b) EUR/MgCO2

Hawkes-modeled telecommunication patterns reveal relationship dynamics and personality traits

It is not news that our mobile phones contain a wealth of private information about us, and that is why we try to keep them secure. But even the traces of how we communicate can also tell quite a bit about us. In this work, we start from the calling and texting history of 200 students enrolled in the Netsense study, and we link it to the type of relationships that students have with their peers, and even with their personality profiles. First, we show that a Hawkes point process with a power-law decaying kernel can accurately model the calling activity between peers. Second, we show that the fitted parameters of the Hawkes model are predictive of the type of relationship and that the generalization error of the Hawkes process can be leveraged to detect changes in the relation types as they are happening. Last, we build descriptors for the students in the study by jointly modeling the communication series initiated by them. We find that Hawkes-modeled telecommunication patterns can predict the students' Big5 psychometric traits almost as accurate as the user-filled surveys pertaining to hobbies, activities, well-being, grades obtained, health condition and the number of books they read. These results are significant, as they indicate that information that usually resides outside the control of individuals (such as call and text logs) reveal information about the relationship they have, and even their personality traits

Antibodies Recognizing Yersinia enterocolitica Lipopolysaccharides of Various Chemotypes in Synovial Fluids From Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 (YeO3) is considered to be associated with reactive arthritis (ReA), and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been detected in synovial fluids from patients. Interestingly, YeO3 wild-type LPS was processed by host cells, resulting in truncated LPS molecules presenting the core region. Previously, we reported the immunogenicity but not adjuvanticity of YeO3 LPSs of wild (S) type, Ra, Rd, or Re chemotypes in mice. Here, we demonstrate the presence of YeO3 LPS chemotype-specific antibodies in all analyzed synovial fluids (SF) from patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Interestingly, the high titer of antibodies specific for the Kdo-lipid A region was found in most tested SF. In contrast, only a few were positive for antibodies recognizing O-specific polysaccharides. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of antibodies reacting with fast-migrating LPS fractions and enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) in synovial fluid samples. Our data also suggest the importance of LPS-associated ECA for the antigenicity of endotoxin. Furthermore, we confirmed in vitro that Yersinia LPS processing leads to the exposure of its core region and enhanced potency of complement lectin pathway activation.Peer reviewe

Innovative Biochar-Based Composite Fibres from Recycled Material

Carbon materials are becoming crucial in several industrial sectors. The drawbacks of these materials include their high cost and oil-based essence. In recent years, recycled materials have become possible alternative sources of carbon with several advantages. Firstly, the production of this alternative source of carbon may help to reduce biomass disposal, and secondly, it contributes to CO2 sequestration. The use of carbon derived from recycled materials by a pyrolysis treatment is called biochar. Here, we present composite materials based on different biochar filler contents dispersed in several thermoplastic polymer matrixes. Electrical conductivity and tensile break strength were investigated together with the material characterisation by DTA/TGA, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Materials with good flexibility and electrical conductivity were obtained. The local ordering in composites resembles both biochar and polymer ordering. The similarity between biochar and carbon nanotubes’ (CNTs) XRD patterns may be observed. As biochar is highly cost-effective, the proposed composites could become a valid substitute for CNT composites in various applications

Evaluation of early breast cancer treatment effects and prognostic factors with special reference to steroid and HER2 receptors

Wstęp. Dobór leczenia uzupełniającego chorych na wczesnego raka piersi po operacji oszczędzającej zależy od wielu czynników prognostycznych, a szczególnie od układu receptorów steroidowych (URS) i HER2. Celem pracy jest ocena skuteczności leczenia chorych poprzez zbadanie przeżycia bezobjawowego (PB) i ryzyka nawrotu lokoregionalnego raka piersi, jak również analiza wpływu klasycznych czynników prognostycznych z uwzględnieniem URS i HER2 na PB chorych przed erą leczenia trastuzumabem. Materiał i metoda. Badaniem objęto kolejnych 615 kobiet chorych na wczesnego inwazyjnego raka piersi leczonych metodą oszczędzającą w Centrum Onkologii w Warszawie w latach 2003–2006. U 40% chorych stosowano uzupełniającą chemioterapię drugiej i trzeciej generacji, a u 28% hormonoterapię. Po operacji i zakończeniu chemioterapii stosowano radioterapię piersi metodą hipofrakcjonacji dawki w czasie 3–4 tygodni. W badaniu uwzględniono następujące czynniki prognostyczne: wiek chorych, stan hormonalny, strona leczonej piersi, pT, pN, typ histopatologiczny raka, G, obecność komponentu raka przedinwazyjnego w raku inwazyjnym, rozmiar marginesów wokół usuniętego guza i 4 podtypy raka piersi różniące się URS i HER2 — luminalny (ER dodatni i/lub PGR dodatni) HER2 ujemny, luminalny (ER dodatni i/lub PGR dodatni) HER2 dodatni, trójujemny i nieluminalny (ER ujemny i/lub PGR ujemny) HER2 dodatni. W analizie statystycznej krzywe przeżycia obliczano metoda Kaplana-Meiera, do oceny ryzyka nawrotu wykorzystano metodę konkurujących ryzyk, a czynniki prognostyczne badano w modelu proporcjonalnego ryzyka Coxa. Mediana obserwacji wynosiła 8 lat. Wyniki. Prawdopodobieństwo 8-letniego przeżycia bezobjawowego i ryzyko nawrotu lokoregionalnego wyniosły odpowiednio: 89%; 4,6%. Potwierdzono negatywny wpływ na ryzyko niepowodzenia w leczeniu raka piersi dla następujących czynników prognostycznych: młodego wieku, liczby zajętych przez przerzuty węzłów chłonnych (powyżej trzech) i niskiego stopnia zróżnicowania raka (G3). Nie stwierdzono istotnego statystycznie wpływu podtypów biologicznych na skuteczność leczenia ani w analizie jednoczynnikowej, ani wieloczynnikowej — test log-rank p = 0,19. Wykazano jednakże występowanie ujemnego trendu prawdopodobieństwa przeżycia bez niepowodzenia dla podtypów biologicznych w następującym porządku: luminalny HER2 (ujemny), luminalny HER2 (dodatni), trójujemny i nieluminalny HER2 (dodatni) — test log-rank dla trendu p = 0,03). Analiza rozkładu badanych czynników prognostycznych potwierdziła, że u chorych w podtypie biologicznym trójujemnym i neluminalnym HER2 (dodatnim) znamiennie częściej niż w typach luminalnym HER2 (ujemnym) i luminalnym HER2 (dodatnim), stwierdza się młodsze chore, z większym guzem, i większą niż 3 liczbą węzłów chłonnych z przerzutami w jamie pachowej i z częstszym rozpoznawanym rakiem niskozróżnicowanym G3. Wnioski. 1. Wysokie prawdopodobieństwo 8-letniego przeżycia bezobjawowego chorych i niskie ryzyko nawrotu lokoregionalnego raka piersi upoważnia do pozytywnej oceny leczenia oszczędzającego w Centrum Onkologii w latachIntroduction. Choice of adjuvant systemic therapy in early breast cancer patients followed breast conserving surgery depends on many prognostic factors especially from steroid (estrogen receptor — ER; progesterone receptor — PR) and HER-2 receptor status. Purpose. To evaluate the treatment we determined disease free survival (DFS) and the risk of local recurrence and examined the influence of classical prognostic factors with special consideration of the biological subtype of breast cancer on DFS before the era of trastuzumab treatment. Patients and methods. Consecutively 615 female patients with early invasive breast cancer received breast conservative treatment between 2003 and 2006 in the Oncological Center in Warsaw. Data were prospectively collected. Adjuvant systemic therapy of second and third generation in 40% of patients had been given and in 28% of patients hormonotherapy was applied. After surgery and chemotherapy, irradiation with mild hypofractionation during 3 or 4 weeks was used. The following prognostic factors were included in the study: age, menopausal status, breast laterality, pT, pN, histology, grade, EIC, margins, and four biological subtypes: Luminal (ER positive and/or PR positive) HER-2 negative, Luminal (ER positive and/or PR positive) HER-2 positive, Triple-Negative, Non-Luminal (ER positive and/or PR positive) HER-2 positive. Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan Maier method. To analyse time to recurrence, the competing risk method was performed. To study the influence of prognostic factors on DFS the proportional hazards model of Cox was used. The median follow-up time was 8 years. Results. The 8-year DFS and cumulative loco-regional recurrence (CLRR) rate were 89% and 4.6% respectively. The significant factors influencing DFS were: young age of patients, number of involved nodes above three and grade 3 histological malignancy. Biological subtypes of breast cancer were not significant predictors for DFS in the univariate or multivariate analysis — logrank test: p = 0.19. It was shown, however, the probability of occurrence of the negative trend DFS for biological subtypes in the following order: Luminal HER2 (negative), Luminal HER2 (positive), Triple-negative and Nonluminal HER2 (positive) — logrank test for trend: p = 0.03. The analysis examined the distribution of prognostic factors and confirmed that in biological subtype Triple-negative and Nonluminal HER2 (positive) significantly more often than in the types of Luminal HER2 (negative) and Luminal HER2 (positive), were younger patients, with larger tumour, with more than 3 involved nodes and grade 3 histological malignancy. Conclusions. 1. High probability of 8-year DFS and low CLRR rate of breast cancer indicated a positive assessment of conserving therapy at the Cancer Center in Warsaw between 2003–2006. 2. Despite aggressive treatment the strongest prognostic factors still remain: the young age of patients, the number of involved lymph node in the axillary fossa greater than three and low differentiation of cancer G3. 3. The worst prognosis is for patients diagnosed with breast cancer in subtype Nonluminal HER2 (positive), and this justifies the introduction of molecular targeted therapies aimed at HER2.

The Role of Complement Activating Collectins and Associated Serine Proteases in Patients With Hematological Malignancies, Receiving High-Dose Chemotherapy, and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations (Auto-HSCT)

We conducted a prospective study of 312 patients (194 with multiple myeloma, 118 with lymphomas) receiving high-dose conditioning chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Polymorphisms of MBL2 and MASP2 genes were investigated and serial measurements of serum concentrations of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), CL-LK collectin and MASP-2 as well as activities of MBL-MASP-1 and MBL-MASP-2 complex were made. Serum samples were taken before conditioning chemotherapy, before HSCT and once weekly after (totally 4-5 samples); in minority of subjects also 1 and/or 3 months post transplantation. The results were compared with data from 267 healthy controls and analyzed in relation to clinical data to explore possible associations with cancer and with chemotherapy-induced medical complications. We found a higher frequency of MBL deficiency-associated genotypes (LXA/O or O/O) among multiple myeloma patients compared with controls. It was however not associated with hospital infections or post-HSCT recovery of leukocytes, but seemed to be associated with the most severe infections during follow-up. Paradoxically, high MBL serum levels were a risk factor for prolonged fever and some infections. The first possible association of MBL2 gene 3′-untranslated region polymorphism with cancer (lymphoma) in Caucasians was noted. Heterozygosity for MASP2 gene +359 A>G mutation was relatively frequent in lymphoma patients who experienced bacteremia during hospital stay. The median concentration of CL-LK was higher in myeloma patients compared with healthy subjects. Chemotherapy induced marked increases in serum MBL and MASP-2 concentrations, prolonged for several weeks and relatively slighter decline in CL-LK level within 1 week. Conflicting findings on the influence of MBL on infections following chemotherapy of myeloma and lymphoma have been reported. Here we found no evidence for an association between MBL deficiency and infection during the short period of neutropenia following conditioning treatment before HSCT. However, we noted a possible protective effect of MBL during follow-up, and suspected that to be fully effective when able to act in combination with phagocytic cells after their recovery

Interaction of human mannose-binding lectin (MBL) with Yersinia enterocolitica lipopolysaccharide

tThe lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is involved in the interaction between Gram-negative pathogenic bacteriaand host. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), complement-activating soluble pattern-recognition receptortargets microbial glycoconjugates, including LPS. We studied its interactions with a set of Yersinia ente-rocolitica O:3 LPS mutants. The wild-type strain LPS consists of lipid A (LA) substituted with an inner coreoligosaccharide (IC) which in turn is substituted either with the O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) or theouter core hexasaccharide (OC), and sometimes also with the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA). TheLPS mutants produced truncated LPS, missing OPS, OC or both, or, in addition, different IC constituentsor ECA. MBL bound to LA-IC, LA-IC-OPS and LA-IC-ECA but not LA-IC-OC structures. Moreover, LA-IC sub-stitution with both OPS and ECA prevented the lectin binding. Sequential truncation of the IC heptosesdemonstrated that the MBL targets the IC heptose region. Furthermore, microbial growth temperatureinfluenced MBL binding; binding was stronger to bacteria grown at room temperature (22◦C) than to bac-teria grown at 37◦C. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that MBL can interact with Y. enterocoliticaLPS, however, the in vivo significance of that interaction remains to be elucidated