Search

AutoInvent System was designed as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that enables the automation of volume measurements and three-dimensional terrain modeling. The measurement head can be easily swapped with an observation head extending the functionality of the system to monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure. The AutoInvent System is the result of a project implemented as a part of the research program organized by the National Center for Research and Development in Poland – INNOSBZ and co-financed by European Union from European Regional Development Fund within the Smart Growth operational Programme 2014-2020.

This paper presents details of experimental tests of an approach to measure the distance to obstacles in a hemispherical area around a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has been designed to explore the hard-to-reach areas such as caves, hollows, grottoes, or mines. The idea of the explorer UAV emerged from the need to draw a sketch of the rooms before a man entered, no matter the interior is a newly discovered cave or building. Thus, the system for point cloud data acquisition has been designed for feeding simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm. The developed system is based on an infrared depth sensor that returns data as a range image. The sensor is rotated at a constant speed so that the measurements are performed at predefined angles, which results with the data about distances to objects in a hemisphere around the position of the sensor. The system was tested in static and dynamic laboratory conditions. Static tests include measurements of the distance to the fixed obstacles made around a sensor placed on the fixed platform. In dynamic tests, the platform with the sensor and the obstacle is also linearly moved relative to each other. The laboratory stand was designed, where the platform on the trolley was moved along the linear trail with controlled speed. Results obtained from those tests reassure its suitability as a basis for the future development of the collision avoidance system and three-dimensional modeling sensor.

We aimed to describe the clinical presentation, treatment, outcome and report on factors associated with mortality over a 90-day period in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were performed on data collected in a retrospective case-control study conducted in nine hospitals from seven European countries. A total of 624 patients were included, of which 415 were deceased (cases) and 209 were still alive 90 days after a CDI diagnosis (controls). The most common antibiotics used previously in both groups were β-lactams; previous exposure to fluoroquinolones was significantly (p = 0.0004) greater in deceased patients. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the factors independently related with death during CDI were older age, inadequate CDI therapy, cachexia, malignancy, Charlson Index, long-term care, elevated white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), bacteraemia, complications, and cognitive impairment. In addition, older age, higher levels of WBC, neutrophil, CRP or creatinine, the presence of malignancy, cognitive impairment, and complications were strongly correlated with shortening the time from CDI diagnosis to death. CDI prevention should be primarily focused on hospitalised elderly people receiving antibiotics. WBC, neutrophil count, CRP, creatinine, albumin and lactate levels should be tested in every hospitalised patient treated for CDI to assess the risk of a fatal outcome.

Renewable feedstock from perennial industrial crops, including those cultivated on marginal land in a short-rotation coppice system, could be an important contribution to the bioeconomy. The majority of data available on the topic are limited to the production of bioenergy from this type of biomass. According to the concept of bioeconomy, biomass-based bioproducts have priority over energy production. This paper characterizes the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts from bark (b), wood (w) or a mixture of bark and wood (b + w) from Salix purpurea, Salix viminalis and Populus nigra obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), scCO2 and water (1%, w/w) or only water. Generally, a high concentration of polyphenols was obtained after extraction with scCO2 and water, while the lowest concentration was found in extracts obtained with scCO2. The highest concentration of polyphenols (p &lt, 0.05) was obtained in an extract from P. nigra (b) (502.62 &plusmn, 9.86 mg GAE/g dry matter (d.m.)) after extraction with scCO2 and water, whereas the lowest polyphenol concentration was observed in an scCO2 extract from S. purpurea (b) (6.02 &plusmn, 0.13 mg GAE/g d.m.). The flavonoids were effectively separated by extraction with scCO2 (0.88&ndash, 18.37 mg QE/g d.m.). A positive linear relationship between the antioxidant activity determined by DPPH and ABTS assays and the concentration of polyphenols was demonstrated, R2 = 0.8377 and R2 = 0.9568, respectively. It is most probable that the concentration of flavonoids, rather than the concentration of polyphenols, determines the chelating activity of Fe2+. The Fe2+-chelating activity of scCO2 extracts ranged from 75.11% (EC50 = 5.41 mg/cm3, S. purpurea, b + w) to 99.43% (EC50 = 0.85 mg/cm3, P. nigra, b + w). The lowest chelating activity was demonstrated by the extracts obtained with scCO2 and water (maximum 26.36%, S. purpurea, b + w). In extracts obtained with scCO2 and water, p-hydroxybenzoic acid (210&ndash, 428 &micro, g/g), p-coumaric acid (56&ndash, 281 &micro, g/g), saligenin (142&ndash, 300 &micro, g/g) and salicortin (16&ndash, 164 &micro, g/g) were the dominant polyphenols. All of these chemical compounds occurred mainly in the free form. The S. purpurea, S. viminalis and P. nigra biomass proved to be an attractive source of biologically active compounds for various possible applications in food, drugs or cosmetics. These compounds could be extracted using an environmentally friendly method with scCO2 and water as a co-solvent.

Renewable feedstock from perennial industrial crops, including those cultivated on marginal land in a short-rotation coppice system, could be an important contribution to the bioeconomy. The majority of data available on the topic are limited to the production of bioenergy from this type of biomass. According to the concept of bioeconomy, biomass-based bioproducts have priority over energy production. This paper characterizes the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts from bark (b), wood (w) or a mixture of bark and wood (b + w) from Salix purpurea, Salix viminalis and Populus nigra obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), scCO2 and water (1%, w/w) or only water. Generally, a high concentration of polyphenols was obtained after extraction with scCO2 and water, while the lowest concentration was found in extracts obtained with scCO2. The highest concentration of polyphenols (p < 0.05) was obtained in an extract from P. nigra (b) (502.62 ± 9.86 mg GAE/g dry matter (d.m.)) after extraction with scCO2 and water, whereas the lowest polyphenol concentration was observed in an scCO2 extract from S. purpurea (b) (6.02 ± 0.13 mg GAE/g d.m.). The flavonoids were effectively separated by extraction with scCO2 (0.88–18.37 mg QE/g d.m.). A positive linear relationship between the antioxidant activity determined by DPPH and ABTS assays and the concentration of polyphenols was demonstrated, R2 = 0.8377 and R2 = 0.9568, respectively. It is most probable that the concentration of flavonoids, rather than the concentration of polyphenols, determines the chelating activity of Fe2+. The Fe2+-chelating activity of scCO2 extracts ranged from 75.11% (EC50 = 5.41 mg/cm3, S. purpurea, b + w) to 99.43% (EC50 = 0.85 mg/cm3, P. nigra, b + w). The lowest chelating activity was demonstrated by the extracts obtained with scCO2 and water (maximum 26.36%, S. purpurea, b + w). In extracts obtained with scCO2 and water, p-hydroxybenzoic acid (210–428 µg/g), p-coumaric acid (56–281 µg/g), saligenin (142–300 µg/g) and salicortin (16–164 µg/g) were the dominant polyphenols. All of these chemical compounds occurred mainly in the free form. The S. purpurea, S. viminalis and P. nigra biomass proved to be an attractive source of biologically active compounds for various possible applications in food, drugs or cosmetics. These compounds could be extracted using an environmentally friendly method with scCO2 and water as a co-solvent.

During an ongoing research project regarding the development of the automatic spatial data acquisition and analysis system that automates the inventory, modeling and volume calculation of mineral resources (AutoInvent), one of the tasks is to improve the accuracy of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) position estimation while photogrammetric photos are taken. It is assumed that position data fusion from real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) and the total station will significantly enhance the precision of UAV position measurements. This paper presents the results of total station verification tests as a precise positioning system for a UAV.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are multifactorial, chronic, disabling, and progressive diseases characterised by cyclical nature, alternating between active and quiescent states. While the aetiology of IBD is not fully understood, this complex of diseases involve a combination of factors including the genetic predisposition and changes in microbiome as well as environmental risk factors such as high-fat and low-fibre diets, reduced physical activity, air pollution and exposure to various toxins and drugs such as antibiotics. The prevalence of both IBD and obesity is increasing in parallel, undoubtedly proving the existing interactions between these risk factors common to both disorders to unravel poorly recognized cell signaling and molecular alterations leading to human IBD. Therefore, there is still a significant and unmet need for supportive and adjunctive therapy for IBD patients directed against the negative consequences of visceral obesity and bacterial dysbiosis. Among the alternative therapies, a moderate-intensity exercise can benefit the health and well-being of IBD patients and improve both the healing of human IBD and experimental animal colitis. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) plays an essential role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis intestinal and the mechanism of mucosal defence. The administration of exogenous IAP could be recommended as a therapeutic strategy for the cure of diseases resulting from the intestinal barrier dysfunction such as IBD. Curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which is capable of stimulating the synthesis of endogenous IAP, represents another alternative approach in the treatment of IBD. This review was designed to discuss potential “nonpharmacological” alternative and supplementary therapeutic approaches taking into account epidemiological and pathophysiological links between obesity and IBD, including changes in the functional parameters of the intestinal mucosa and alterations in the intestinal microbiome.

Nowadays, unmanned aerial systems (UASs) find application in several fields [1], such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, energy, geology, and archaeology [2], and the list is continually growing. Light vertical takeoff and landing–remotely piloted aircraft systems, often called generic UASs, are the most used platforms due to their low weight, low size, and low cost [1]. This trend is due to the integration on the UAS of high-performance processors, sensors, and actuators with very low power consumption.

The research on an assistive instrument for hang-gliders and paragliders resulted in the three prototypes of the integrated device for sensing, processing and displaying data to the pilot. The data processing contains innovative data fusion and filtration algorithms with cascaded filter build with Kalman and complementary filters. The developed prototypes have been successfully tested in the laboratories and during flight tests.

The enzymatic modification of wheat proteins during dough fermentation and its digestion as supported by peptidases of microbiological origin can result in the degradation of important peptides in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. However, baking bread and the high temperature associated with this could change the physicochemical and immunological properties of proteins. Thermal changes in the spatial structure of proteins and their hydrolysis can lead to a masking or degrading of immunoreactive peptides.; Results: The addition of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), comprising peptidases isolated from Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2 (LA) or transglutaminase (TG) in the course of fermentation, decreases its immunoreactivity by 83.9%, 51.9% and 18.5%, respectively. An analysis of the fractional composition of gliadins revealed that γ- and ω-gliadins are the proteins most susceptible to enzymatic modification. Hydrolysis of wheat storage proteins with PEP and LA reduces the content of αβ-, γ- and ω-gliadins by 13.7%, 60.2% and 41.9% for PEP and by 22.1%, 43.5% and 36.9% for LA, respectively. Cross-linking of proteins with TG or their hydrolysis by PEP and LA peptidases during the process of forming wheat dough, followed by digesting bread samples with PEP and LA peptidases, decreases the immunoreactivity of bread hydrolysates from 2.4% to 0.02%. The content of peptide detected in polypeptide sequences is 263.4 ± 3.3, 30.9 ± 1.5 and 7.9 ± 0.4 mg kg-1 in samples of hydrolysates of bread digested with PEP, as produced from dough modified by TG, PEP and LA, respectively.; Conclusion: Enzymatic pre-modification of proteins during the process of dough fermentation decreases their immunoreactive potential, such that fewer peptides recognised by R5 antibodies are released during the digestion process from the bread matrix. Immunoreactive peptides are degraded more effectively when digestive enzymes are supported by the addition of PEP. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consisting of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are defined as idiopathic, chronic and relapsing intestinal disorders occurring in genetically predisposed individuals exposed to environmental risk factors such as diet and microbiome changes. Since conventional drug therapy is expensive and not fully efficient, there is a need for alternative remedies that can improve the outcome in patients suffering from IBD. Whether exercise, which has been proposed as adjunct therapy in IBD, can be beneficial in patients with IBD remains an intriguing question. In this review, we provide an overview of the effects of exercise on human IBD and experimental colitis in animal models that mimic human disease, although the information on exercise in human IBD are sparse and poorly understood. Moderate exercise can exert a beneficial ameliorating effect on IBD and improve the healing of experimental animal colitis due to the activity of protective myokines such as irisin released from working skeletal muscles. CD patients with higher levels of exercise were significantly less likely to develop active disease at six months. Moreover, voluntary exercise has been shown to exert a positive effect on IBD patients' mood, weight maintenance and osteoporosis. On the other hand, depending on its intensity and duration, exercise can evoke transient mild systemic inflammation and enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine release, thereby exacerbating the gastrointestinal symptoms. We discuss recent advances in the mechanism of voluntary and strenuous exercise affecting the outcome of IBD in patients and experimental animal models.

Background: Water shortage during wheat vegetation causes changes in the composition of gliadins in grains, which can lead to changes in their immunoreactive properties.; Results: The investigated wheat cultivars exposed to water stress accumulated significantly lower amounts (P < 0.05) of gliadins and glutenins in grains. The composition of proteins accumulated in grains was also modified. Water shortage results in a decreased share of αβ and γ fractions in total gliadins. Grains of wheat cultivated under water stress contain significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of ω-gliadins by 4.5% and 43.3% for Nawra and Tonacja cultivars, respectively. Water stress promotes an increase in the share of P and Q/E residues in gliadins. In protein samples R5 antibodies recognized increased amounts of gliadins matching the QQPFP sequence. Wheat proteins also reacted with IgE antibodies isolated from subjects allergic to gluten.; Conclusion: Cultivation of wheat under conditions of water stress results in the qualitative and quantitative changes of gliadins by increasing their immunoreactivity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Wheat storage proteins and products of their hydrolysis may cause coeliac sprue in genetically predisposed individuals with high expression of main histocompatibility complex HLA-DQ2 or DQ8, since by consuming wheat, they become exposed to proline- (P) and glutamine (Q)-rich gluten. In bread-making, the hydrolysis of gliadins and coeliac-toxic peptides occurs with varied efficiency depending on the fermentation pH and temperature. Degradation of gliadins catalysed by Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2 peptidases and a commercial prolyl endopeptidase synthesised by A. niger, carried out at pH 4.0 and 37 &deg, C, reduces the gliadin concentration over 110-fold and decreases the relative immunoreactivity of the hydrolysate to 0.9% of its initial value. Hydrolysis of coeliac-toxic peptides: LGQQQPFPPQQPY (P1) and PQPQLPYPQPQLP (P2) under the same conditions occurs with the highest efficiency, reaching 99.8 &plusmn, 0.0% and 97.5 &plusmn, 0.1%, respectively. The relative immunoreactivity of peptides P1 and P2 was 0.8 &plusmn, 0.0% and 3.2 &plusmn, 0.0%, respectively. A mixture of peptidases from L. acidophilus 5e2 and A. niger may be used in wheat sourdough fermentation to reduce the time needed for degradation of proteins and products of their hydrolysis.

The impact of single- and two-step enzymatic modification of wheat flour proteins was investigated on their immunoreactivity. Modification of wheat proteins was conducted using preparations of prolyl endopeptidase, transglutaminase and peptidases synthesised by Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2 and L. sanfranciscensis DSM20663. Hydrolysis of cross-linked proteins and cross-linking of proteins’ hydrolysates was used during two-step modification. Immunoreactivity of wheat flour proteins was decreased with the increase in environmental alkalinity after treatment with transglutaminase. These modifications resulted in changes in protein composition and average polypeptide chain length. Fractional composition of gliadins demonstrated that decreasing acidity of reaction medium is associated with more effective cross-linking of ω-gliadins. Protein hydrolysis by prolyl endopeptidase and peptidases from lactobacilli also resulted in effectively degrading of HMW-glutenins and ω-gliadins. The lowest content of the immunoreactive gliadins was observed for proteins degraded with peptidases. Immunological analysis of proteins subjected to two-step enzymatic modification also showed a reduction in the content of gliadins both in the samples of cross-linked protein hydrolysates, and in cross-linked proteins. Hydrolysis of cross-linked proteins favoured more the reduction in protein immunoreactivity than cross-linking of hydrolysed proteins. Wheat proteins undergo the most effective modifications favouring the reduction in immunoreactivity, when transglutaminase/peptidase LS and peptidase LS/transglutaminase combinations were used. Proposed methods of enzymatic reduction in gluten immunoreactivity could be used as additional step of flour modification in sourdough technology.

The enzymatic modification of wheat proteins during dough fermentation and its digestion as supported by peptidases of microbiological origin can result in the degradation of important peptides in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. However, baking bread and the high temperature associated with this could change the physicochemical and immunological properties of proteins. Thermal changes in the spatial structure of proteins and their hydrolysis can lead to a masking or degrading of immunoreactive peptides.The addition of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), comprising peptidases isolated from Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2 (LA) or transglutaminase (TG) in the course of fermentation, decreases its immunoreactivity by 83.9%, 51.9% and 18.5%, respectively. An analysis of the fractional composition of gliadins revealed that γ- and ω-gliadins are the proteins most susceptible to enzymatic modification. Hydrolysis of wheat storage proteins with PEP and LA reduces the content of αβ-, γ- and ω-gliadins by 13.7%, 60.2% and 41.9% for PEP and by 22.1%, 43.5% and 36.9% for LA, respectively. Cross-linking of proteins with TG or their hydrolysis by PEP and LA peptidases during the process of forming wheat dough, followed by digesting bread samples with PEP and LA peptidases, decreases the immunoreactivity of bread hydrolysates from 2.4% to 0.02%. The content of peptide detected in polypeptide sequences is 263.4 ± 3.3, 30.9 ± 1.5 and 7.9 ± 0.4 mg kgEnzymatic pre-modification of proteins during the process of dough fermentation decreases their immunoreactive potential, such that fewer peptides recognised by R5 antibodies are released during the digestion process from the bread matrix. Immunoreactive peptides are degraded more effectively when digestive enzymes are supported by the addition of PEP. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

The research on an assistive instrument for hang-gliders and paragliders resulted in the three prototypes of the integrated device for sensing, processing and displaying data to the pilot. The data processing contains innovative data fusion and filtration algorithms with complementary filters. The developed prototypes have been successfully tested in the laboratories and during flight tests.

The skyrocketing development of the civilian drones' market, which follows the military solutions, results in boosting research on UAV avionics systems. The research includes a development of classic navigation and control as well as innovative methods that require e.g. infrared and visible light cameras, laser or magnetic field sensors. In this paper, we focus on the research on UAV's navigation and control systems, state-of-the-art measurement sensors involved in classic systems as well as the research on innovative methods of navigation and control.

Safe indoor flights of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) requires an independent measurement systems, that will enable efficient navigation in the absence of GPS data. One of the many solutions currently being developed is the use of information about changes in the value of the local magnetic field. This paper presents ways of recording, visualizing and mapping local magnetic field changes that can be used as a support for indoor navigation systems. At the beginning we reviewed devices for acquisition of magnetic field strength and the type of data being recorded. In the next step we analyzed the possibilities of visualization of acquired data. Finally the methods used to generate magnetic field maps of enclosed areas have been presented. In each of the aspects covered in this paper, solutions developed by the authors will be described.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders exhibited by two major phenotypic forms: Crohn‘s disease and ulcerative colitis. Although the aetiology of IBD is unknown, several factors coming from the adipose tissue and skeletal muscles, such as cytokines, adipokines and myokines, were suggested in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis; however, it has not been extensively studied whether voluntary exercise can ameliorate that disorder. We explored the effect of moderate exercise (i.e., voluntary wheel running) on the disease activity index (DAI), colonic blood flow (CBF), plasma irisin and adiponectin levels and real-time PCR expression of proinflammatory markers in mesenteric fat in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis fed a high-fat diet (HFD) compared to those on a standard chow diet (SD). Macroscopic and microscopic colitis in sedentary SD mice was accompanied by a significant fall in CBF, some increase in colonic tissue weight and a significant increase in the plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and IL-13 (p < 0.05). In sedentary HFD mice, colonic lesions were aggravated, colonic tissue weight increased and the plasma TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β and leptin levels significantly increased. Simultaneously, a significant decrease in the plasma irisin and adiponectin levels was observed in comparison with SD mice (p < 0.05). Exercise significantly decreased macroscopic and microscopic colitis, substantially increased CBF and attenuated the plasma TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β and leptin levels while raising the plasma irisin and the plasma and WAT concentrations of adiponectin in HFD mice (p < 0.05). We conclude that: (1) experimental colitis is exacerbated in HFD mice, possibly due to a fall in colonic microcirculation and an increase in the plasma and mesenteric fat content of proinflammatory biomarkers; and (2) voluntary physical activity can attenuate the severity of colonic damage in mice fed a HFD through the release of protective irisin and restoration of plasma adiponectin.

Over the past few years, the role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) as a crucial mucosal defence factor essential for maintaining gut homeostasis has been established. IAP is an important apical brush border enzyme expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and secreted both into the intestinal lumen and into the bloodstream. IAP exerts its effects through dephosphorylation of proinflammatory molecules including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), flagellin, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released from cells during stressful events. Diminished activity of IAP could increase the risk of disease through changes in the microbiome, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal permeability. Exogenous IAP exerts a protective effect against intestinal and systemic inflammation in a variety of diseases and represents a potential therapeutic agent in diseases driven by gut barrier dysfunction such as IBD. The intestinal protective mechanisms are impaired in IBD patients due to lower synthesis and activity of endogenous IAP, but the pathomechanism of this enzyme deficiency remains unclear. IAP has been safely administered to humans and the human recombinant form of IAP has been developed. This review was designed to provide an update in recent research on the involvement of IAP in intestinal inflammatory processes with focus on IBD in experimental animal models and human patients.

During last few years avionics system research platform was invented at the Military University of Technology. This modular simulator allows user to design and verify avionics system software using hardware-in-the-loop technique. Mathematical model of an airplane under tests is implemented on a high-performance computer which response to all control signals and environmental disturbances. Environment is simulated on a separate computer which can also visualize orientation and movement of the airplane. Plane structure and aerodynamic features as well as control data can be modified accordingly to user needs. The third PC is used as an interface unit between research platform and main computational unit of the avionics system. This device can send and receive information in real-time using various data protocols and interfaces depending on sensors and actuators that are planned to be used in real system. Those three computers work in a local area network and exchange data using Gigabit Ethernet standard. Possibility to simulate behavior of an UAV controlled by the developed avionics system implemented on an embedded computer working in hardware-in-the-loop mode on the platform, allows software developer to debug any part of the application in various environment conditions very close to reality. Research platform gives also the possibility to modify algorithm and adjust its parameters in real-time to verify suitability of the implemented avionics system software for the particular UAV. The avionics system software developed using this simulation method minimize expensive in-flight tests and assure failsafe performance after first successful flight

Avionics system software development is a sophisticated process depended on not fully specified factors. Therefore, essential steps in the development process are tests and verification. In this aim the virtual environment was constructed and prepared for the tests with the target software and the hardware to eliminate hardware defects and software bugs before first flight. The concept of virtual environment was established and developed after unsuccessful flights with long term prepared aircraft models. There was assumed that modelling methods applied separately to frame, engine and control system were not sufficient. There was requirement for complex simulation platform prepared to test whole aircraft in various environment conditions. In the first step the designing process was identified and milestones were placed inside (Fig. 1)

This paper presents in details design and development of a probe for measuring airflow data for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The research regards the definition of the requirements and dimensions of the device and limits the measurements to selected aerodynamic parameters only. In the design concept the five parameters gauged in the two independent sections of the probe were envisaged. In the first section temperature, stagnation and static pressure and in the second section flow angles — sideslip and angle of attack (AoA) were determined. The development has been divided into three stages. The first stage included a formulation of the guidelines for the construction of the mechanical elements. The specified requirements included the maximum size of the probe and the resultant restriction on the size of the sensors and their electronics hardware circuits. The next stage was focused on sensors selection and electronics hardware development. Additionally, an appropriate microcontroller system for sensors control and data acquisition was developed. The final stage included formulation of a software algorithm and its implementation. Eventually, the probe was installed on a mini UAV for inflight tests which verified the correctness of the design.

This paper presents a conception of an indoor positioning system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The measurement of magnetic field is a main source of information required to estimate a position of the platform. It is a parameter which can be measured with affordable sensors and is easy to obtain. In order to use acquired data, a magnetic field map of the specified environment should be previously determined. Thus, a few ideas of using this information were elaborated. First of all, dedicated hardware had to be designed to implement the method. In this process, a multipurpose measurement system was developed. The measurement system consists of three axis digital magnetometers and battery powered microprocessor system with SD memory card and LCD display. The module was installed on the specially designed chassis that enable testing on 3 different heights. The verification tests were performed in designated room, where permanent magnets were used to modify local magnetic field that could work as beacons.

BACKGROUND: This study addressed the characteristics of metabolites synthesized by Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2, with particular attention paid to exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, proline peptidases and antibacterial compounds. RESULTS: The strain Lb. acidophilus 5e2 synthesizes low-molecular-mass polysaccharides (340 kDa) constituted by glucose, galactose and glucosamine at a ratio of 3.3:2.8:1.0, as well as biosurfactants with a molecular mass of 32 kDa built from a protein fraction, a polysaccharide fraction and phosphate groups. It additionally synthesizes extra- and intracellular proline peptidases, including prolyl endopeptidase and thermostable low-molecular-mass (

Lactic acid bacteria were subjected to screening for the ability of the analyzed strains to synthesize surface-active compounds. The most favorable synthesis of biosurfactants was observed in the culture ofLactobacillus casei 8/4, thus this strain was applied in the subsequent stages of the study. The research enabled determining the optimal conditions of biosurfactants synthesis, which was shown to be mainly determined by the composition of the culture medium and growth phase ofL. casei 8/4. Aqueous solutions of biosurfactant preparations displayed antimicrobial activity against the test pathogenic species:Staphylococcus aureus 11,Bacillus subtilis T91, andMicrococcus roseus R2. Analyses conducted with the FTIR demonstrated that biosurfactants were constituted by protein fractions and polysaccharide fractions, i.e. possessed the structure typical of glycoproteins, which is affected by medium composition and the phase of growth of the biosurfactants-synthesizing strain. The same factors determine the structure of proteins in glycoproteins, which was confirmed after electrophoretic separation with the NuPAGE method.

Water shortage during wheat vegetation causes changes in the composition of gliadins in grains, which can lead to changes in their immunoreactive properties.The investigated wheat cultivars exposed to water stress accumulated significantly lower amounts (P0.05) of gliadins and glutenins in grains. The composition of proteins accumulated in grains was also modified. Water shortage results in a decreased share of αβ and γ fractions in total gliadins. Grains of wheat cultivated under water stress contain significantly higher (P0.05) levels of ω-gliadins by 4.5% and 43.3% for Nawra and Tonacja cultivars, respectively. Water stress promotes an increase in the share of P and Q/E residues in gliadins. In protein samples R5 antibodies recognized increased amounts of gliadins matching the QQPFP sequence. Wheat proteins also reacted with IgE antibodies isolated from subjects allergic to gluten.Cultivation of wheat under conditions of water stress results in the qualitative and quantitative changes of gliadins by increasing their immunoreactivity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

We reviewed and analyzed the relationship between physical exercise and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which covers a group of chronic, relapsing, and remitting intestinal disorders including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis. The etiology of IBD likely involves a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors. Physical training has been suggested to be protective against the onset of IBD, but there are inconsistencies in the findings of the published literature. Hypertrophy of the mesenteric white adipose tissue (mWAT) is recognized as a characteristic feature of CD, but its importance for the perpetuation of onset of this intestinal disease is unknown. Adipocytes synthesize proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Hypertrophy of mWAT could play a role as a barrier to the inflammatory process, but recent data suggest that deregulation of adipokine secretion is involved in the pathogenesis of CD. Adipocytokines and macrophage mediators perpetuate the intestinal inflammatory process, leading to mucosal ulcerations along the mesenteric border, a typical feature of CD. Contracting skeletal muscles release biologically active myokines, known to exert the direct anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibit the release of proinflammatory mediators from visceral fat. Further research is required to confirm these observations and establish exercise regimes for IBD patients.

The research was carried out with the aim to determine the impact of various combinations of cellulase and hemicellulase preparations on the effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis of polysaccharides of rape straw and Miscanthus giganteus after alkaline pretreatment. Their effectiveness was evaluated based on the quantity of saccharides released during enzymatic reaction and yield calculated in respect of the sum of polysaccharides present in native substrates. The complex of preparations produced from Trichoderma longibrachiatum fungi turned out to be the most effective. The study demonstrated a significant effect of xylanases from T. longibrachiatum, the presence of which evoked a 27-45% increase in the effectiveness of polysaccharides hydrolysis compared to the enzymatic complexes without their addition. In addition, results achieved in this study confirmed the necessity of applying the pretreatment in lignocellulose substrates conversion into bioethanol.

The aim of this study is to describe the adhesive capability of Lactobacillus fermenti 126 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 as well as to isolate and evaluate the functional properties of their synthesized biosurfactants. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows that both crude biosurfactants contain three components: protein, polysaccharide and phosphate in different ratio. The crude biosurfactants synthesized by Lactobacillus fermenti 126 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 contain 8 and 9 fractions analyzed by capillary gel electrophoresis. Lactobacillus fermenti 126 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 strains used in this study synthesize biosurfactants with low effectiveness, critical micelle concentration of 9.0 and 6.0 g/L, and surface tension of (45.1±0.1) and (43.6±0.6) mN/m, respectively. Biosurfactant synthesized by Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 demonstrated higher emulsifying and froth-forming activity than that obtained from Lactobacillus fermenti 126, which resulted in better antiadhesive properties. The advantageous adhesive properties of these Lactobacillus strains were confirmed. A positive effect of the impregnation of polystyrene surface with an aqueous solution of biosurfactants on the inhibition of adhesion of Escherichia coli 22, Klebsiella pneumoniae 2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa W2 to the impregnated surface was found., Svrha je rada bila opisati adhezivna svojstva bakterija Lactobacillus fermenti 126 i Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 i iz njih izolirati biosurfaktante, te procijeniti njihova funkcionalna svojstva. Fourierovom transformiranom infracrvenom spektroskopijom utvrđeno je da se oba biosurfaktanta sastoje od tri komponente: protein, polisaharid i fosfat u različitim omjerima. Neobrađeni biosurfaktanti iz Lactobacillus fermenti 126 i Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 imaju 8 i 9 frakcija, koje su analizirane kapilarnom gel-elektroforezom. Biosurfaktant iz Lactobacillus fermenti 126 ima malu učinkovitost, kritičnu micelarnu koncentraciju od 9,0 g/L i površinsku napetost od (45,1±0,1) mN/m. Biosurfaktant iz Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCM 1825 također ima malu učinkovitost, kritičnu micelarnu koncentraciju od 6,0 g/L i površinsku napetost od (43,6±0,6) mN/m. Ima bolja emulgirajuća svojstva i svojstva pjenjenja, stoga bolje inhibira adheziju patogenih bakterija. Oba su soja dobro prianjala na podlogu, a impregnacijom površine od polistirena vodenom otopinom biosurfaktanata spriječena je adhezija patogenih bakterija Escherichia coli 22, Klebsiella pneumoniae 2 i Pseudomonas aeruginosa W2 na podlogu.

Lithium-ion cells are still the fastest developing energy storage technology. Most of the research and development power is directed towards electrode materials evolution due to their main influence on cell capacity. Electrolyte, central component connecting the electrodes, needs bigger focus due to its limitations, which also define the limitations of the cell. These are: electrochemical stability (cathode material choice limitation), thermal stability (limiting applications of the cell or enforcing use of cooling devices) and conductivity/lithium cation transference number (limiting maximum current of the cell), to mention just the most important. As solvents and lithium cation are constant part of the electrolyte, the only variable is the anion. It affects all properties mentioned above, as well as plays the critical part in ionic liquids (ILs) synthesis. As weakly-coordinating anions commercially available are known for their multiple disadvantages (notably PF6 -anion), there is a substantial need for new ideas in the field. The concept we have chosen to obtain new anions led to synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with electron withdrawing groups. The most successful member of this family so far is the LiTDI salt [1,2,3]. As LiTDI is still optimized for better performance and to maximize its parameters [4], there is a room for new applications of such anions, like forming ILs [5] or use in salt form as functional additives. Increasing electrochemical stability or forming more stable SEI are among prospective use of such additives. In this very presentation we will show newest results of investigation of imidazole anions used in lithium salts – both as main electrolyte and additives. We will also show novel application of this anions’ class in ILs. As for LiTDI in liquid electrolyte, the most important achievement is the optimization of the electrolyte composition using combination of solvent ratio and salt concentration. As a result, the substantial saving of the salt use was obtained without sacrificing any electrochemical or stability parameters. Depending on solvent mixture, it can be as much as 66% savings of the material, contributing to lower overall cost of the cell. TDI and PDI anions used in ILs also behave very well. Electrochemical and thermal stability for TDI anion-based ILs is up to 4.75 V vs Li and 260˚C, respectively. Also the typical ionic conductivity decrease after lithium salt addition to the pristine IL was substantially limited as it can be seen on the Figure 1. At 20˚C conductivity for PMImTDI and BMImTDI both pristine and after salt addition is in 4-5 mS cm-1range. Also use of LiTDI analog as SEI stabilizing additive resulted in positive outcome. Series of electrolyte were tested, similarly to the experiments mentioned above, for their ionic conductivity, lithium cation transference number, electrochemical stability window and SEI stability over time. References: [1] L. Niedzicki, G.Z. Żukowska, M. Bukowska, P. Szczeciński, S. Grugeon, S. Laruelle, M. Armand, S. Panero, B. Scrosati, M. Marcinek, W. Wieczorek, Electrochim. Acta 55 (2010) 1450. [2] L. Niedzicki, M. Kasprzyk, K. Kuziak, G.Z. Żukowska, M. Marcinek, W. Wieczorek, M. Armand, J. Power Sources 196 (2011) 1386. [3] D.W. McOwen, S.A. Delp, W.A. Henderson, Meeting Abstracts, Abstract #1182, 224th ECS Meeting. [4] L. Niedzicki, E. Karpierz, A. Bitner, M. Kasprzyk, G.Z. Zukowska, M. Marcinek, W. Wieczorek, Electrochim. Acta 117C (2014) 224. [5] L. Niedzicki, E. Karpierz, M. Zawadzki , M. Dranka, M. Kasprzyk, A. Zalewska, M. Marcinek, J. Zachara, U. Domańska, W. Wieczorek, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. (2014) Acepted Manuscript, DOI: 10.1039/c3cp55354j Acknowledgements This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 608502.