Integrative description of Macrobiotus canaricus sp. nov. with notes on M. recens (Eutardigrada : Macrobiotidae)

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus canaricus sp. nov., a new tardigrade species of the Macrobiotus hufelandi group from the Canary Islands. Moreover, with the use of DNA sequencing, we confirm that Macrobiotus recens Cuénot, 1932 represents the hufelandi group, even though eggs laid by this species do not exhibit the typical hufelandi group morphology. Our study is based on both classical taxonomic methods that include morphological and morphometric analyses conducted with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, and on the analysis of nucleotide sequences of four molecular markers (three nuclear: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2, and one mitochondrial: COI). Our analyses revealed that M. canaricus sp. nov. is most similar to Macrobiotus almadai Fontoura et al., 2008 from the Archipelago of the Azores, from which it differs by the absence of granulation patches on the external and internal surfaces of legs I–III as well as by the absence of a cuticular pore in the centre of the external patch on legs I–III. Molecular sequences allowed us to pinpoint the phylogenetic positions of M. canaricus sp. nov. and M. recens within the M. hufelandi group

The variability of threats and the work safety

W artykule zaprezentowano przegląd i analizę wybranych regulacji prawnych dotyczących bezpieczeństwa pracy w aspekcie zmienności zagrożeń w środowisku pracy. Celem artykułu jest poddanie dyskusji właściwych sposobów oraz zasad postępowania, pozwalających na zapobieganie sytuacjom awaryjnym.The paper presents an overview and analysis of the selected regulations concerning work safety associated with the variability of threats in the work environment. The aim of the study is to discuss proper ways and rules allowing for coping with emergencies

A comparison of fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approaches for heat transfer modeling in a 1296 t/h CFB boiler with low level of flue gas recirculation

The interrelation between fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approaches for heat transfer modeling in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) has been established based on a local furnace data. The furnace data have been measured in a 1296 t/h CFB boiler with low level of flue gas recirculation. In the present study, the bed temperature and suspension density were treated as experimental variables along the furnace height. The measured bed temperature and suspension density were varied in the range of 1131–1156 K and 1.93–6.32 kg/m3, respectively. Using the heat transfer coefficient for commercial CFB combustor, two empirical heat transfer correlation were developed in terms of important operating parameters including bed temperature and also suspension density. The fuzzy logic results were found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental heat transfer data obtained based on cluster renewal approach. The predicted bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient covered a range of 109–241 W/(m2K) and 111–240 W/(m2), for fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approach respectively. The divergence in calculated heat flux recovery along the furnace height between fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approach did not exceeded ±2%

Dry-type combined SOx/NOxremoval from flue gas by passage through a multi-solid fluidized bed ( MSFB)reactor

The flue gas passed through an MSFB reactor for simultaneous dry removal of SOx and NOx.The dense layer of the bed consisted of coarse urea grains,which acted as a source of ammonia (the activator of the denitrification process). The circulating layer was made of fine CuO particles and fine Ca(OH)2 grains,acting as a catalyst and a sorbent,respectively.The efficiencies of removal were remowal were related to temperature, Ca/S ratio,urea/NO ratio,flue gas velocity,and SO2 concentration in the flue gas stream.The highest efficiency of SOx was achieved at 400.o C .When the Ca/S and urea/NO ratios increased,so did the efficiencies of removal for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.NOx removal efficiency reached its maximum efficiency of SOx removal

The structure and functions of βKlotho protein

The βKlotho gene was identified on 2000, based on sequence similarity with the αKlotho gene. The KLB gene encoded single-pass transmembrane protein, which is expressed predominantly in liver and white adipose tissue. KLB–/–mice, unlike αKL–/– mice, grow and develop quite normally, but they exhibit increased bile acid synthesis and resistance to gallstone formation. Similar phenotype was also observed in mice lacking FGFR4 or FGF15. These observations led to hypothesis, that βKlotho interacts with FGFR4 and functions as a coreceptor for FGF15. Subsequent studies have shown, that βKlotho form complex with FGFR1c and function as coreceptor for FGF21. It was found, that via FGF-FGFR signalling pathway βKlotho can regulate many cellular processes. Functions as coreceptor for FGF19 (the orthologous protein in humans), KLB can regulate inter alia bile acids metabolism and energy homeostasis. Function as coreceptor for FGF21 protein can mediate promotion of lypolisis in white adipose tissue and ketogenesis in liver.Gen βKlotho (KLB) odkryty został w roku 2000, jako homolog genu αKlotho. Gen KLB koduje monotopowe białko przezbłonowe, ulegające ekspresji głównie w wątrobie i białej tkance tłuszczowej. W odróżnieniu od myszy αKL–/–, myszy KLB–/– rozwijają się prawidłowo, jednakże wykazują one znaczny wzrost biosyntezy kwasów żółciowych oraz oporność na tworzenie się kamieni żółciowych. Podobny fenotyp obserwuje się również u myszy z wyłączonym genem FGFR4 lub FGF15. Dane te były podstawą sugestii, że białko βKlotho oddziałuje z FGFR4 i pełni rolę koreceptora dla FGF15. Dalsze analizy pokazały, że βKlotho tworzy również kompleks z receptorem FGFR1c, funkcjonując jako koreceptor dla czynnika FGF21. Wykazano, że poprzez działanie na szlaku FGF-FGFR, białko βKlotho zaangażowane jest w regulację licznych procesów komórkowych. Funkcjonując jako koreceptor dla czynnika FGF19 (ortolog FGF15 u człowieka), KLB wpływa m.in. na metabolizm kwasów żółciowych oraz homeostazę energetyczną. Natomiast jako koreceptor dla FGF21, białko KLB wpływa na promocję lipolizy w białek tkance tłuszczowej oraz ketogenezy w wątrobie

Model research of gas emissions from lignite and biomass co-combustion in a large scale CFB boiler

The paper is focused on the idea of a combustion modelling of a large-scale circulating fluidised bed boiler (CFB) during coal and biomass co-combustion. Numerical computation results for three solid biomass fuels co-combustion with lignite are presented in the paper. The results of the calculation showed that in previously established kinetics equations for coal combustion, some reactions had to be modified as the combustion conditions changed with the fuel blend composition. Obtained CO2, CO, SO2 and NOx emissions are located in borders of ± 20% in the relationship to the experimental data. Experimental data was obtained for forest biomass, sunflower husk, willow and lignite cocombustion tests carried out on the atmospheric 261 MWe COMPACT CFB boiler operated in PGE Turow Power Station in Poland. The energy fraction of biomass in fuel blend was: 7%wt, 10%wt and 15%wt. The measured emissions of CO, SO2 and NOx (i.e. NO + NO2) were also shown in the paper. For all types of biomass added to the fuel blends the emission of the gaseous pollutants was lower than that for coal combustion