Formatting Submissions to Acta Montanistica Slovaca Using actamont.cls, LATEX Document Class Template

This work is an instruction manual for submitting articles to scientific journal Acta Montanistica Slovaca using LATEX documentclass template "actamont.cls". Commands defined specially for "actamont.cls" to simplify the overall process are here described

MATLAB Real-time Data Acquisition for Laboratory Froth Flotation Automation

In this paper analog input/output signals are used to control laboratory froth flotation machine using industrial panel PC. Dataacquisition is provided by two Advantech PCI cards, while flotation control is based on connection of adjustable frequency drivefurther connected to AC motor for agitation control, mass flow controller for air flow control, pH and temperature transmitters withaccording probes for pH and temperature logging respectively. Process control is provided by graphical user interface programmedin MATLAB.This practical engineering design allows researchers to set parameter values prior to flotation test as well as log and savemeasured values for further processing

Improving the effectivity of work with Rosin-Rammler diagram by using MATLAB R GUI tool

A simple, yet powerfull tool for plotting cumulative percent oversize against particle size while using combination of a logarithmicand double logarithmic axis (RR diagram) is here proposed. It has direct support for line approximation and thus RRdistribution parameters determination, along with ability to calculate oversize product from particle size value and vice versa. Aninsight of different approaches of RR size distribution parameters calculation is here given, along with an approach of graphing RRdiagram. MATLABR was used as a programming language for computation and graphical user interface design. The direct resultof this work is a public accessible file covered by the BSD License

Investigation into the applicability of Bond Work Index (BWI) and Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) tests for several biomasses compared to Colombian La Loma coal

With increasing quantities of biomass being combusted in coal fired power stations, there is an urgent need to be able to predict the grindability of biomass in existing coal mills, but currently no standard biomass grindability test exists. In this study, the applicability of the Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) and Bond Work Index (BWI) as standard grindability tests for biomass were investigated for commercially sourced wood pellets, steam exploded pellets, torrefied pellets, sunflower pellets, eucalyptus pellets, miscanthus pellets, olive cake and Colombian La Loma coal. HGI predicts the behaviour of fuels in vertical spindle mills and BWI for tube and ball mills. Compared to La Loma (HGI of 46), all biomasses tested performed poorly with low HGI values (14–29). Miscanthus pellets had the highest BWI or Wi at 426 kW h/t. Despite similar HGI values, some untreated biomasses showed lower BWI values (Eucalyptus pellets Wi 87 kW h/t, HGI 22) compared to others (sunflower pellets Wi 366 kW h/t, HGI 20). Torrefied pellets had the lowest Wi (16 kW h/t), with La Loma coal at 23 kW h/t. Wood, miscanthus and sunflower pellets exhibited mill choking during the BWI test, as the amount of fines produced did not increase with an increasing revolution count. An approximate correlation between HGI and BWI was found for the biomass samples which did not experience mill choking in the BWI test. Milling results in this paper suggest that biomass pellets should be composed of pre-densified particles close to the target size in order to minimise the energy use in mills and possibility of mill choking. Our findings would also suggest that the BWI is a valid test for predicting the potential for mill choking of biomass in a tube and ball mill. HGI, however, appears to be a poor method of predicting the grindability of biomass in vertical spindle mills. A new standard grindability test is required to test the grindability of biomasses in such mills

Overcoming the caking phenomenon in olive mill wastes

The use of olive mill wastes (orujillo) within coal fired power stations in the UK has led to unexpected difficulties with material caking within the fuel handling plant. This study replicated orujillo caking on a laboratory scale using a planetary ball mill and explored the impact of mill parameters (speed, volume, and duration) on the caking phenomenon. The impact of orujillo composition was examined for 4 sections of fresh and dried orujillo (whole, pulp 0-850 µm, pulp 850-3350 µm, and cluster 3350 µm+) for set milling conditions. Caking was induced by heat generation within the mill and was most prevalent in the pulp section of orujillo. Caking was brought on by a glass transition step, which was measured to be around 97-98 °C for a moisture content of 6-7% in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Caking was the result of the bulk moisture content (14-18%) being higher than the standard moisture content of orujillo (< 12%), and can be mitigated through drying. Thus the key to overcoming orujillo caking in fuel handling plants is through moisture content control. Additionally, as the caking issue is most prevalent in the pulp section, all fines below the required combustion particle size (typically < 1 mm) should be removed prior to comminution and sent directly to the burner. This would also reduce the comminution load by nearly 50%, increase the energy potential of the fuel, and remove the most problematic section of orujillo from the fuel handling plant

Benefits of dry comminution of biomass pellets in a knife mill

The potential benefits of dry comminution in a knife mill for a diverse range of biomass 6 pellets are explored. The impact of dry comminution on energy consumption, particle size and shape, 7 is examined as well as the link between milling and mechanical durability. Biomass pellet comminution 8 energy was significantly lower (19.3-32.5 kW h t-1 [fresh] and 17.8-23.2 kW h t-1 [dry]) than values 9 reported in literature for non-densified biomass in similar knife mills. The impact of drying was found 10 to vary by feedstock. Dry grinding reduced milling energy by 38% for mixed wood pellets, but only 2% 11 for steam exploded pellets. Particle size and shape, particle distribution dispersion, and distribution 12 shape parameters changes between fresh and dry milling were also material dependent. Von Rittinger 13 analysis showed that to maximise mill throughput, pellets should be composed of particles which can 14 pass through the screen and thus have a neutral size change. A strong correlation was found between 15 pellet durability and energy consumption for fresh biomass pellets. Dry grinding has the potential to 16 significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising the product particle size, as well as 17 enhancing product quality and optimising biomass pellet comminution and combustion

COVID-19: Is There Evidence for the Use of Herbal Medicines as Adjuvant Symptomatic Therapy?

Background: Current recommendations for the self-management of SARS-Cov-2 disease (COVID-19) include self-isolation, rest, hydration, and the use of NSAID in case of high fever only. It is expected that many patients will add other symptomatic/adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines. Aims: To provide a benefits/risks assessment of selected herbal medicines traditionally indicated for “respiratory diseases” within the current frame of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjuvant treatment. Method: The plant selection was primarily based on species listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies were considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. The target population were adults with early and mild flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive, promising, negative, and unknown. Results: A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found to be positive in 5 cases (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix, and Sambucus nigra), promising in 12 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Pelargonium sidoides, Pimpinella anisum, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine. Conclusions: Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their potential use as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches

Information System Assessment and Proposal of ICT Modification

Cieľom bakalárskej práce je analýza súčasného stavu vybranej firmy, posúdenie informačných systémov, ktoré daná firma pri práci využíva, a spracovanie návrhu zmien vedúcich k zlepšeniu a urýchleniu výkonu práce firmy. Teoretická časť práce sa zameriava na porozumenie základných pojmov z oblasti informačných systémov a na pochopenie problematiky spojenej s analýzou informačných systémov a jednotlivými metódami strategickej analýzy, ktoré sú použité pri zhodnotení samotnej firmy. Praktická časť práce sa sústreďuje predovšetkým na osobitné návrhy riešení nájdených nedostatkov, a to na základe predchádzajúcej analýzy aktuálnej situácie vo firme. Súčasťou práce je zároveň aj odhad ekonomického zhodnotenia a prínosy predložených návrhov.The bachelor's thesis aims to analyze the current state of the selected company, assess the information systems that the company uses during the work, and develop a proposal for changes leading to the improvement and acceleration of the company's performance. The theoretical part of the thesis focuses on understanding the basic concepts of information systems and knowing the issues associated with the analysis of information systems and individual methods of strategic analysis, which are used for the evaluation of the company itself. The practical part of the thesis focuses mainly on specific proposals for solving the found shortcomings, based on a previous analysis of the current situation in the company. An estimate of the economic evaluation and the benefits of the submitted proposals are also part of the thesis.

Anti-Infectivity against Herpes Simplex Virus and Selected Microbes and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Compounds Isolated from Eucalyptus globulus Labill.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes numerous mild-to-serious human diseases, including mucocutaneous herpes infections and life-threatening herpes encephalitis. Moreover, herpes viral lesions can be complicated by inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. The development of resistance to antiviral drugs along with the undesirable side effects of these drugs are relevant argue for the development of new anti-HSV drugs with diverse mechanisms of action. Eucalyptus extracts have been used for decades to combat various infectious diseases. We isolated and studied 12 pure compounds and one mixture of two constitutional isomers from the leaves and twigs of E. globulus. The structures were identified by spectroscopic methods (NMR, HR-MS, IR) and all of them were tested for antiherpetic activity against the replication of antigen types HSV-1 and HSV-2. Tereticornate A (12) (IC50: 0.96 &mu;g/mL; selectivity index CC50/IC50: 218.8) showed the strongest activity in the anti-HSV-1 assay, even greater than acyclovir (IC50: 1.92 &mu;g/mL; selectivity index CC50/IC50: 109.4), a standard antiviral drug. Cypellocarpin C (5) (EC50: 0.73 &mu;g/mL; selectivity index CC50/EC50: 287.7) showed the most potent anti-HSV-2 activity, also more intensive than acyclovir (EC50: 1.75 &mu;g/mL; selectivity index CC50/EC50: 120.0). The antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds was also evaluated against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the yeast Candida albicans. The anti-inflammatory potential was examined using LPS-stimulated THP-1-XBlue&trade;-MD2-CD14 and THP-1 macrophages and focusing on the influences of the NF-&kappa;B/AP-1 activity and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1&beta; and TNF-&alpha;