Sampling Mechanism for Low Gravity Bodies

In future exploration missions to low gravity bodies (e.g. a Mars moon or a near-Earth asteroid) it is planned to collect more than 100 grams of soil and return them to Earth. In previous studies several sampling tools have been proposed but there is no single sampling technology for low-gravity bodies that has been specifically conceived to provide the ability to collect material in any envisaged situation. Low gravity bodies present indeed peculiar conditions which need to be taken into account during the design and test of sampling and sample handling systems. Primarily, the very reduced gravity limits the thrust reaction capability in support to drilling operations; and, although reactions can be achieved by spacecraft anchoring or by thrust reversal, these operative conditions could limit the effectiveness of the sampling action. An alternative solution is the exploitation of the forces naturally arising from Spacecraft momentum inversion, which can be achieved by ‘touch and go’ techniques (as e.g. performed in Hayabusa mission). Although the small duration of the contact with the soil would anyhow limit the sampling depth and the collectable soil types, a properly designed sampling system would require to conclude the operation with a great effectiveness. In the last three years an ESA founded study has been carried on and a fully functional sampling mechanism for "touch and go" sampling on a low-gravity body has been selected, designed and breadboarded. Based on the results of several Proof-Of-Principle models tested on different types of specimen and after the analysis performed on a dynamic simulation model for the sampling action, a device implementing the most promising sampling technique has been designed and manufactured. It has been then tested under ambient conditions using various kinds of asteroid soil stimulants. The proposed paper will resume the key aspects and the main achievements of the study

Novel and promising compounds to treat Cryptosporidium parvum infections

No fully effective approved drug therapy exists for Cryptosporidium infections of immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Here, we investigated 11 benzimidazole derivatives carrying substituted thioalkyl and thiobenzyl groups at position 2 of benzimidazole nucleus and additional substituents at the benzene part of benzimidazole for inhibition of the in vitro growth of the intestinal protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum. Three of them, i.e., 5-carboxy-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole, 5,6-dichloro-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole, and 4,6-dichloro-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole, (compounds 5, 7, and 8) were the most active (IC50 28–31 μM). The concentration of compounds 5, 7, and 8 that caused 50% growth inhibition in human enterocytic HCT-8 cells by a quantitative alkaline phosphatase immunoassay was comparable with those obtained for paromomycin

Novel and promising compounds to treat Cryptosporidium parvum infections

No fully effective approved drug therapy exists for Cryptosporidium infections of immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Here, we investigated 11 benzimidazole derivatives carrying substituted thioalkyl and thiobenzyl groups at position 2 of benzimidazole nucleus and additional substituents at the benzene part of benzimidazole for inhibition of the in vitro growth of the intestinal protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum. Three of them, i.e., 5-carboxy-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole, 5,6-dichloro-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole, and 4,6-dichloro-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-1H-benzimidazole, (compounds 5, 7, and 8) were the most active (IC50 28–31 μM). The concentration of compounds 5, 7, and 8 that caused 50% growth inhibition in human enterocytic HCT-8 cells by a quantitative alkaline phosphatase immunoassay was comparable with those obtained for paromomycin

Distributed Generation and Smart Grid in industrial ow-energy buildings

W artykule przedstawiono możliwości wykorzystania generacji rozproszonej, w tym odnawialnych źródeł energii, do produkcji energii elektrycznej w budownictwie niskoenergetycznym. Dyrektywa w sprawie Charakterystyki Energetycznej Budynków (EPBD) definiuje budynek o niemal zerowym zużyciu energii jako budynek o wysokiej efektywności energetycznej (Dyrektywa... 2010). Bardzo niskie lub niemal zerowe zapotrzebowanie energii budynku powinno być pokryte, w znacznym stopniu, z odnawialnych źródeł energii wytwarzanej na miejscu. Zgodnie z tą Dyrektywą już od 2021 roku na terenie Unii Europejskiej mają być wznoszone wyłącznie budynki o bardzo niskim zapotrzebowaniu na energię, zasilane z odnawialnych źródeł energii. W artykule przedstawiono także problemy wynikające z pojawienia się dużej ilości generacji rozproszonej w systemie elektroenergetycznym. Duża ilość źródeł rozproszonych na niewielkim obszarze może w najbliższych latach stanowić duże wyzwanie dla systemu elektroenergetycznego. Stąd konieczne już teraz jest określenie możliwości przyłączania małych źródeł do sieci oraz wykorzystanie potencjału, jaki dają sieci Smart Grid. Polska chcąc sprostać Dyrektywie Unii Europejskiej (Dyrektywa... 2009), która wymaga, aby do 2020 roku 15% naszej energii pochodziło z odnawialnych źródeł, musi zaproponować nowe rozwiązania legislacyjne, które pozwolą na osiągnięcie tego limitu. Proponowane nowe rozwiązania prawne, które będą wspierać energetykę rozproszoną likwidując bariery dla inwestorów, którzy chcą budować małe źródła energii sprawić, że łatwiejszy stanie się dostęp małych wytwórców do sieci elektroenergetycznej. Ważnym czynnikiem dla zachowania zrównoważonego rozwoju jest optymalizacja współpracy generacji rozproszonej opartej na odnawialnych źródłach energii pierwotnej z systemem elektroenergetycznym.This paper presents the possibility of utilizing distributed generation (DG), including renewable energy sources, for electricity production in low-energy housing construction. The Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) defines a building with nearly zero energy consumption as a building with high energy effectiveness. Very low or almost zero energy requirements of the building should be covered, to a large extent, by onsite renewable energy sources. According to this Directive, after 2021, only the construction of buildings with very low energy demand powered by renewable energy sources will be allowed within the European Union. The paper also presents the problems resulting from the emergence of large amounts of distributed generation in the power system. A large number of DG over a small area in the coming years could prove to be a challenge for the power system. Hence, the need now is to determine the possibility of connecting small sources to the grid and to use the potential of “Smart Grid”. If Poland wishes to meet the requirements of the EU Directive which requires that by 2020 15% of our energy must come from renewable sources, it has to propose new legislative solutions which will ensure adherence to this limit. The proposed legislation that will support distributed energy resources to eliminate barriers for investors who want to build a small power source will make access to the grid by small producers easier. Ensuring the adaptation of distributed generation based on renewable sources of primary energy is an important factor for maintaining sustainable development. It also results in the need to reserve multiple sources, often of a stochastic production system, thus limiting the risk of disruption of electricity supply. This condition will require substantial reengineering of the power system. It is also necessary to remake the network of business management methods in order to permit proper interpretation of the vast amount of associated information and use it to develop optimal decisions in the proper time frame. Hence, the need arises to implement the comprehensive intelligent energy system called “Smart Grid”

Ways to use silver birch Betula pendula Roth regeneration in sites considered for stand conversion due to decline of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in the Silesian Beskid Mountains

One of the tree species appearing after a decline of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in the Silesian Beskid Mountains is Silver Birch Betula pendula Roth. Therefore our study was aimed at evaluating this birch regeneration and the dynamics of changes resulting from experimental cutting. Measurements and inventories of trees were conducted on research plots located in a ten-year old birch regeneration site with either no cutting, partial cutting (50%) or clear cutting (100%) of birch. We observed an introduction of biocenotic species (rowan, willow, aspen) as well as the target species (spruce, fir, beech) under the birch canopy. Fir and beech were also planted, because of their slow natural regeneration. The clear cut treatment caused a great number of sprouts growing from birch stumps, reaching a height of about 2 m over 3 years, resulting in competition with the regeneration of other species. Partial cutting did not cause such a drastic amount of sprouting. Furthermore, we found that only the spruce height increment is significantly less under a birch canopy compared to open space. The obtained results indicate a necessity to adjust the density and species composition of regenerating tree species under a birch canopy, avoiding complete removal of the first generation birch cover and the need to moderately thin out birch

DEXARM ENGINEERING MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING

L'articolo descrive i risultati della fase 3 del progetto Dexarm. Il progetto ha portato alla realizzazione di un braccio manipolatore robotico spaziale a 7 gradi di libertà che, con una massa di poco più di 20 Kg, è in grado di muovere oggetti di massa fino a 500 Kg in assenza di gravità. Dexarm presenta caratteristiche tecnologiche avanzate, in particolare nei giunti, ultracompatti e di massa e volume ridotti, con doppio sensore di posizione e sensore di coppia all'asse di uscita, ed grado di erogare coppie molto elevate