Improving control engineering education with TRIK cybernetic system

International audienceWe present our experience in the application of a new cybernetic system, TRIK, for control engineering education at university level. The TRIK system is composed of an embedded controller, analogue and digital input-output interface and an inertial measurement unit which can be easily programmed with visual and text based computer languages. The system can be efficiently used for robotic and control engineering prototyping and education. In the present paper, we describe and discuss various applications of the system in education covering basic control theory problems and advanced robotic system development. Our experience with TRIK has demonstrated that the developed system and corresponding curricula improves the efficiency of control engineering education at university level, and has significant potential to promote science and technology at secondary school level

Pingo drilling reveals sodium-chloride dominated massive ice in Grøndalen, Spitsbergen

Drilling of a 21.8-m-deep borehole on top of the 10.5-m-high Nori pingo that stands at 32 m asl in Grøndalen Valley (Spitsbergen) revealed a 16.1-m-thick massive ice enclosed by frozen sediments. The hydrochemical compositions of both the massive ice and the sediment extract show a prevalence of Na+ and Cl� ions throughout the core. The upper part of the massive ice (stage A) has low mineralization and shows an isotopically closed-system trend in δ18O and δD isotopes decreasing down-core. Stage B exhibits high mineralization and an isotopically semi-open system. The crystallographic structure of Nori pingo’s massive ice provides evidence of several large groundwater intrusions that support the defined formation stages. Analysis of local aquifers leads to suggest that the pingo was hydraulically sourced through a local fault zone by low mineralized sodium–bicarbonate groundwater of a Paleogene strata aquifer. This groundwater was enriched by sodium and chloride ions while filtering through marine valley sediments with residual salinity. The comparison between the sodium–chloride-dominated massive ice of the Nori pingo and the sodium–bicarbonate-dominated ice of the adjacent Fili pingo that stands higher up the valley may serve as an indicator for groundwater source patterns of other Nordenskiöld Land pingos

Insights into the Cardiotoxic Effects of <i>Veratrum Lobelianum</i> Alkaloids: Pilot Study

Jervine, protoveratrine A (proA), and protoveratrine B (proB) are Veratrum alkaloids that are presented in some remedies obtained from Veratrum lobelianum, such as Veratrum aqua. This paper reports on a single-center pilot cardiotoxic mechanism study of jervine, proA, and proB in case series. The molecular aspects were studied via molecular dynamic simulation, molecular docking with cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5, and machine learning-based structure–activity relationship modeling. HPLC-MS/MS method in combination with clinical events were used to analyze Veratrum alkaloid cardiotoxicity in patients. Jervine demonstrates the highest docking score (−10.8 kcal/mol), logP value (4.188), and pKa value (9.64) compared with proA and proB. Also, this compound is characterized by the lowest calculated IC50. In general, all three analyzed alkaloids show the affinity to NaV1.5 that highly likely results in cardiotoxic action. The clinical data of seven cases of intoxication by Veratrum aqua confirms the results of molecular modeling. Patients exhibited nausea, muscle weakness, bradycardia, and arterial hypotension. The association between alkaloid concentrations in blood and urine and severity of patient condition is described. These experiments, while primary, confirmed that jervine, proA, and proB contribute to cardiotoxicity by NaV1.5 inhibition

Electronic structure of the full-Heusler Co

We present a combined investigation of the electronic structure of bulk arc-melted full-Heusler Co$$_{2-x}$$Fe$$_{1+x}$$Si (x = 0, 0.5, 1) and CoFeSi alloys using density functional theory and ultrasoft X-ray emission spectroscopy. We perform first-principles calculations of the spin-polarized total and partial density of states for the Co and Fe 3d (s, p) as well as for the Si 3s (p, d) orbitals. It is demonstrated that only Co$$_{2}$$FeSi alloy exhibits a half-metallic behavior. However, the inverse CoFe$$_{2}$$Si alloy shows pseudogap and high spin polarization at the Fermi level. We carry out ultrasoft X-ray emission Si $$L_{2,3}$$ measurements, which provide the information about the local partial density of states of Si 3s and 3d orbitals in the valence band localized on Si atoms. We compare the measured spectra with our theoretical calculations and discuss them in terms of the contribution of s and d-electrons to the bonding. The Si and transition-metals sd and dd bonding formation is shown in the Co$$_{2-x}$$Fe$$_{1+x}$$Si and CoFeSi alloys. The high spin polarization values, along with the extremely high Curie temperature, make these compounds potential candidates for spintronic applications

Dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles improves burn wound healing and tissue regeneration through specific interaction with blood serum proteins

Burn wounds are one of the most important causes of mortality and especially morbidity around the world. Burn wound healing and skin tissue regeneration remain thus one of the most important challenges facing the mankind. In the present study we have addressed this challenge, applying a solution-stabilized dispersion TiO2 nanoparticles, hypothesizing that their ability to adsorb proteins will render them a strong capacity in inducing body fluid coagulation and create a protective hybrid material coating. The in vitro study of interaction between human blood and titania resulted at enhanced TiO2 concentrations in formation of rather dense gel composite materials and even at lower content revealed specific adsorption pattern initiating the cascade response, promising to facilitate the regrowth of the skin. The subsequent in vivo study of the healing of burn wounds in rats demonstrated formation of a strongly adherent crust of a nanocomposite, preventing infection and inflammation with quicker reduction of wound area compared to untreated control. The most important result in applying the TiO2 dispersion was the apparently improved regeneration of damaged tissues with appreciable decrease in scar formation and skin color anomalies.Correction in: Scientific Reports, 2018, vol. 8, article Number: 4416.DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22717-8</p

Author Correction : Dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles improves burn wound healing and tissue regeneration through specific interaction with blood serum proteins

WoS title: "Dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles improves burn wound healing and tissue regeneration through specific interaction with blood serum proteins (vol 7, 15448, 2017)".Correction to: Scientific Reports, 2017, vol. 7, Article number: 15448.DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15792-w</p