Influence of Additional Pa Controller to the System Response When the Set Point is Changing

One of the numerous approaches for disturbance rejection is occasionally introducing additional Pa term in parallel to the existing controller. It is strongly important to check effects of its operation to the system's transient processes caused by instant changes of set point, because it is well known that too high values of P term can lead system into unstable state. Therefore, this paper deal with researching of maximum proportional gain that can be used for disturbance rejection if it appear in the transient process (dynamical area of system response). Investigation has been carried out using numeric simulations, on the some characteristic process examples, that were considered in the previous survey of mentioned additional Pa controller.Publishe

Survival of the epigean Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in a subterranean environment

The peregrine earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis was regularly sampled in a percolating water drip originating in a habitat inaccessible to humans in the Huda luknja pri Doliču cave, Slovenia. The reconstruction of this habitat includes both a larger passage with bat colonies supplying wet bat guano sediments, on which the earthworms feed, and narrow channels, which drain water from this passage into the sampling drip. Fresh guano is deposited in autumn shortly before the earthworms become inactive. Then, it is exploited by moulds and additionally depleted by water washing out the nutrients before the earthworms reactivate in spring. Thus, this is a rather poor food resource for the earthworms. Despite this, and apart from their short size and delayed maturation, no other disturbance or damage was found caused by malnutrition, which was confirmed in individuals submitted to starvation in captivity. We suggest that Dd. r. tenuis, which shows neither disturbance from nor adaptation to living in a subterranean environment, can subsist there because of its euryoecious character. Nevertheless, in temperate climates, this is rather a harsh habitat for this earthworm

Biogeografske opaske o Gyas titanus Simon, 1879 (Opiliones, Phalangiidae) na Balkanu

On the basis of 33 locality records of Gyas titanus Simon, 1879 (Opiliones, Phalangiidae) it is stated that the species more or less continuously inhabits the western and middle Balkans. Thus the Alpine-Balkans-Carpathian range of the species is continuous.Na osnovu 33 nalaza Gyas titanus Simon, 1879 (Opiliones, Phalangiidae) utvrđuje se da vrsta kontinuirano naseljava zapadni i srednji Balkan. Zaključuje se da je alpsko-balkansko-karpatski areal vrste kontinuiran

On the Diversities of Multivariable Control Systems

Successful system control can`t be achieved without taking into account system nature. Present paper contain overview of control strategies for various multivariable systems. Regarding the mathematical model, order of system and eventual presence of dead time have high influence on the choice of method, which can ensure appropriate design of decoupler and controller. All in order to ensure desired dynamical behaviour of system. Due to that, it is very important to recognize if controlled object is mechanical system or industrial process. Systems with two inputs and two outputs has been illustrated here. Consideration has been supported and presented by appropriate simulations from relevant investigations.Publishe

DNA damage and alterations in expression of DNA damage responsive genes induced by TiO2 nanoparticles in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

We investigated the genotoxic responses to two types of TiO2 nanoparticles (<25 nm anatase: TiO2-An, and <100 nm rutile: TiO2-Ru) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Under the applied exposure conditions the particles were agglomerated or aggregated with the size of agglomerates and aggregates in the micrometer range, and were not cytotoxic. TiO2-An, but not TiO2-Ru, caused a persistent increase in DNA strand breaks (comet assay) and oxidized purines (Fpg-comet). TiO2-An was a stronger inducer of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) than TiO2-Ru. Both types of TiO2 nanoparticles transiently upregulated mRNA expression of p53 and its downstream regulated DNA damage responsive genes (mdm2, gadd45α, p21), providing additional evidence that TiO2 nanoparticles are genotoxic. The observed differences in responses of HepG2 cells to exposure to anatase and rutile TiO2 nanoparticles support the evidence that the toxic potential of TiO2 nanoparticles varies not only with particle size but also with crystalline structure

TiO 2

As the debate about TiO2 food additive safety is still open, the present study focuses on the extraction and characterisation of TiO2 (nano)particles added as a whitening agent to confectionary products, that is, chewing gum pellets. The aim was to (1) determine the colloidal properties of suspensions mutually containing TiO2 and all other chewing gum ingredients in biologically relevant media (preingestion conditions); (2) characterise the TiO2 (nano)particles extracted from the chewing gum coating (after ingestion); and (3) verify their potential photocatalysis. The particle size distribution, in agreement with the zeta potential results, indicated that a small but significant portion of the particle population retained mean dimensions close to the nanosize range, even in conditions of moderate stability, and in presence of all other ingredients. The dispersibility was enhanced by proteins (i.e., albumin), which acted as surfactants and reduced particle size. The particle extraction methods involved conventional techniques and no harmful chemicals. The presence of TiO2 particles embedded in the sugar-based coating was confirmed, including 17–30% fraction in the nanorange (<100 nm). The decomposition of organics under UV irradiation proved the photocatalytic activity of the extracted (nano)particles. Surprisingly, photocatalysis occurred even in presence of an amorphous SiO2 layer surrounding the TiO2 particles

DECOUPLING CONTROL OF TITO SYSTEM SUPPORTED BY DOMINANT POLE PLACEMENT METHOD

Appropriate approach to the nature of systems is a significant precondition for its successful control. An always actual issue of its mutual coupling is considered in this paper. A multivariable system with two-inputs and two-outputs (TITO) is in the focus here. The dominant pole placement method is used in trying to tune the PID controllers that should support the decoupling control. The aim is to determine parameters of the PID controllers which, in combination with decoupler, can obtain a good dynamical behavior of the system. Therefore, this kind of the centralized analytically obtained controller is used for object control. Another goal is to simplify the tuning procedure of PID controllers and enlarge the possibility for introducing the given approach into practice. But the research results indicate that the proposed procedure leads to the usage of P controllers because they enable the best performances for the considered object. Also, it is noticed that some differences from the usual rules in selection of the dominant poles gives better results. The research is supported by simulations and, therefore, the proposed method effectiveness, regarding the system behavior quality, is presented on several examples

Rapid Structure Determination of Bioactive 4''-tetrahydrofurfuryl Macrozone Reaction Mixture Components by LC/SPE/Cryo NMR and MS

LC-SPE/cryo NMR and MS methodologies have been developed and employed for a rapid structure determination of 4″-tetrahydrofurfuryl macrozone reaction mixture components. Macrozones, novel conjugates of azithromycin, and thiosemicarbazones have shown very good in vitro antibacterial activities against susceptible and some resistant bacterial strains and are promising agents for further development. The post-column multiple trapping of the chromatographically separated reaction mixture components on the SPE cartridges increased the sensitivity and together with cryogenically cooled NMR probe made it possible to identify and structurally characterize main 4″- tetrahydrofurfuryl macrozone reaction mixture compounds including those present at very low concentration level. This approach has several advantages over a classical off-line procedure, efficiency and low solvent consumption being the two most important ones. All identified components were process-related. It has been demonstrated that two different kinds of compounds with respect to structure were identified, i.e., macrolide- related and thiosemicarbazone-related ones. This methodology can serve as a platform for reliable and effective macrolides reaction components structure profiling, serving as both isolation and identification tools

Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) as a determinant of peri-implantitis

Background/Aim. Peri-implantitis presents inflammatory process that affects soft and hard supporting tissues of osseointegrated implant based on inflammatory osteoclastogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) concentrations in peri-implant crevicular fluid could be associated with clinical parameters that reflect inflammatory nature of peri-implantitis. Methods. The study included 67 patients, 22 with diagnosed peri-implantitis, 22 persons with healthy peri-implant tissues and 23 patients with periodontitis. Clinical parameters from each patient were recorded and samples of peri-implant/gingival crevicular fluid were collected for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Results. RANK concentration was significantly increased in samples from the patients with periimplantitis when compared to healthy implants (p < 0.0001), where the average levels were 9 times higher. At the same time RANK concentration was significantly higher in periimplantitis than in periodontitis sites (p < 0.0001). In implant patients pocket depths and bleeding on probing values were positively associated with high RANK concentrations (p < 0.0001). Conclusion. These results revealed association of increased RANK concentration in samples of periimplant/ gingival crevicular fluid with peri-implant inflammation and suggests that RANK could be a pathologic determinant of peri-implantitis, thereby a potential parameter in assessment of peri-implant tissue inflammation and a potential target in designing treatment strategies

Habitual low carbohydrate high fat diet compared with omnivorous, vegan, and vegetarian diets

BackgroundDietary patterns which exclude whole food groups, such as vegetarian, vegan and low carbohydrate high fat diet (LCHF), are increasingly popular in general public. When carefully planned, all these diets have some known benefits for health, but concerns are also raised in particular for LCHF. The quality of LCHF diet which individuals follow in real life without supervision is not known.MethodsOne hundred thirty healthy individuals with stable body mass following LCHF, vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous diet for at least six months, were compared in a cross-sectional study. Diet was analyzed through 3-day food records and FFQ, anthropometric measurements were performed and serum metabolic biomarkers determined from fasting blood.ResultsParticipants on LCHF diet had the intakes of micronutrients comparable to other groups, while the intakes of macronutrients differed in line with the definition of each diet. The intakes of saturated fats, cholesterol and animal proteins were significantly higher and the intakes of sugars and dietary fibers were lower compared to other groups. Healthy eating index 2015 in this group was the lowest. There were no differences in the levels of glucose, triacylglycerols and CRP among groups. Total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in LCHF group, in particular in participants with higher ketogenic ratio. Fatty acids intakes and intakes of cholesterol, dietary fibers and animal proteins explained 40% of variance in total cholesterol level, with saturated fatty acids being the strongest positive predictor and monounsaturated fatty acids a negative predictor.ConclusionNone of the self-advised diets provided all the necessary nutrients in optimal levels. Due to the detected increased levels of serum cholesterols, selection of healthy fat sources, higher intake of dietary fibers and partial replacing of animal sources with plant sources of foods should be recommended to the individuals selecting LCFH dietary pattern.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04347213