Separation of Ho3+ in Static Magnetic Field

Abstract The rare earths elements (REE) belong to the group of critical metals and they are achieving more and more interest due to their special properties. However, there occur some problems connected with their production. The most difficult phase is separation of REE. It includes a necessity to intensify currently applied processes and looking for new solutions. The present work introduces an idea to use differences in physical properties of the REE ions to get them separated. In the experimental part of the work some efforts were undertaken to analyse results presenting changes of holmium ions concentration under an influence of the magnetic field gradient. There was determined the gradient of magnetic field and concentration of Ho3+ ions depending on initial concentration of the solution and time. A simulation of changing the concentration of holmium ions in the solution under an influence of the magnetic field gradient was performed to compare the mathematical model with the obtained results

Memantine reduces consumption of highly palatable food in a rat model of binge eating

Excessive consumption of highly palatable food has been linked to the development of eating disorders and obesity, and can be modeled in non-food-deprived rats by offering them a limited (2-h daily) access to an optional dietary fat. Since the glutamatergic system has recently emerged as a viable target for binge-eating medication development, we compared the effects of subchronic treatment with glutamatergic receptor antagonists to the effects of a reference appetite-suppressing agent sibutramine on highly palatable food (lard) and normal chow intake. In three separate experiments, the consumption of a standard laboratory chow and lard were measured during 12 days of medication treatment and for 6 days afterwards. Generalized estimating equations analysis demonstrated that sibutramine (7.5 mg/kg, PO) significantly decreased lard consumption, with a concurrent increase in chow consumption. Sibutramine effects disappeared after treatment discontinuation. The NMDA receptor antagonist memantine (5 mg/kg, IP) significantly decreased lard consumption and increased chow consumption, comparable to effects of sibutramine; however, memantine’s effects persisted after treatment discontinuation. The effects of the mGluR5 antagonist MTEP (7.5 mg/kg, IP) on food consumption were in the same direction as seen with memantine, but the observed differences were not significant. In an additional control experiment, sibutramine and memantine reduced unlimited (24 h) chow intake during the treatment phase. Present results provide evidence that glutamatergic neurotransmission might be involved in the regulation of excessive consumption of highly palatable foods, and suggest that NMDA receptor may be an attractive target for developing obesity and disordered eating pharmacotherapies

Hedonic and incentive signals for body weight control

Here we review the emerging neurobiological understanding of the role of the brain’s reward system in the regulation of body weight in health and in disease. Common obesity is characterized by the over-consumption of palatable/rewarding foods, reflecting an imbalance in the relative importance of hedonic versus homeostatic signals. The popular ‘incentive salience theory’ of food reward recognises not only a hedonic/pleasure component (‘liking’) but also an incentive motivation component (‘wanting’ or ‘reward-seeking’). Central to the neurobiology of the reward mechanism is the mesoaccumbal dopamine system that confers incentive motivation not only for natural rewards such as food but also by artificial rewards (eg. addictive drugs). Indeed, this mesoaccumbal dopamine system receives and integrates information about the incentive (rewarding) value of foods with information about metabolic status. Problematic over-eating likely reflects a changing balance in the control exerted by hypothalamic versus reward circuits and/or it could reflect an allostatic shift in the hedonic set point for food reward. Certainly, for obesity to prevail, metabolic satiety signals such as leptin and insulin fail to regain control of appetitive brain networks, including those involved in food reward. On the other hand, metabolic control could reflect increased signalling by the stomach-derived orexigenic hormone, ghrelin. We have shown that ghrelin activates the mesoaccumbal dopamine system and that central ghrelin signalling is required for reward from both chemical drugs (eg alcohol) and also from palatable food. Future therapies for problematic over-eating and obesity may include drugs that interfere with incentive motivation, such as ghrelin antagonists

The Mechanism of Redox Reaction between Palladium(II) Complex Ions and Potassium Formate in Acidic Aqueous Solution

The kinetics studies of redox reaction between palladium(II) chloride complex ions and potassium formate in acidic aqueous solutions was investigated. It was shown, that the reduction reaction of Pd(II) is selective in respect to Pd(II) complex structure. The kinetic of the process was monitored spectrophotometrically. The influence of chloride ions concentration, Pd(II) initial concentration, reductant concentration, ionic strength as well as the temperature were investigated in respect to the process dynamics. Arrhenius equation parameters were determined and are equal to 65.8 kJ/mol, and A = 1.12×1011 s-1

W kierunku inteligentnych, rozproszonych systemów sterowania oświetleniem

The paper discusses an approach which is targeted at obtaining maximal benefits of contemporary advanced lighting systems. The benefits are expressed in terms of improved energy efficiency (i.e. lower power consumption) or citizens ąuality of life. Applying proposed solution one could use intelligent control methods which functionality goes far beyond simple preset lighting scenarios as it is present in existing commercial systems. The main problem tackled here is a high complexity of control algorithms related to a size of a state space compound of lighting profiles, fixtures' working parameters and varying environment conditions. The proposed method, designed for solving this issue, is using decom-posable graph representations of the environment under control, and multiagent system deployed on it. An important component of the system is a rule-based engine, adapting lighting control parameters to actual environment needs.Artykuł przedstawia podejście nastawione na maksymalizację korzyści płynących z zastosowania zaawansowanych systemów oświetlenia tj. poprawę wydajności energetycznej (np. zmniejszenie poboru energii) oraz polepszenie jakości życia. Proponowane rozwiązanie, bazujące na koncepcji inteligentnego sterowania, udostępnia funkcje dotychczas niespotykane w oferowanych komercyjnie produktach. Problemem, w przypadku systemów oświetlenia, jest duża złożoność obliczeniowa algorytmów sterujących. Związane jest to z rozbudowaną przestrzenią stanów dla takiego systemu reprezentującą różne profile oświetlenia, parametry pracy punktów świetlnych oraz warunki środowiska. Zaproponowane podejście rozwiązuje ten problem poprzez zastosowanie dekomponowalnej reprezentacji grafowej oraz środowiska wieloagentowego przetwarzającego takie grafy. Istotnym elementem rozwiązania jest system regułowy określający parametry sterowania dla poszczególnych punktów świetlnych w zależności od zapotrzebowania

Ocena architektury mapy dynamicznej z użyciem metody ATAM

Dynamic Map can be considered a complex information system, composed of spatial databases, storing static and dynamic data relevant for urban traffic, as well as a set of software modules responsible for data collection, interpretation and provision. The data originates from a network of sensors, both fixed (e.g. video detectors, acoustic sensors, inductive loops) and on-board GPS receivers installed in vehicles. Clients of the Dynamic Map are various software modules performing such tasks as visualization, route planning, traffic optimization, object tracking and threat detection. The paper discusses experiences with an evaluation of the system architecture using the ATAM (Architectural Tradeoffs Analysis Method). The stages of evaluation eomprise describing architectural views, identification of key scenarios and evaluation of risks of their realization.Mapa dynamiczna jest złożonym systemem informatycznym składającym się z przestrzennych baz danych przechowujących statyczne i dynamiczne informacje dotyczące ruchu drogowego oraz modułów oprogramowania odpowiedzialnych za zbieranie danych, ich interpretację oraz udostępnianie. Dane monitorowania pochodzą z sieci czujników, zarówno stałych, w tym detektory wideo, czujniki akustyczne i pętle indukcyjne, jak i odbiorników GPS zainstalowanych w pojazdach. Klientami mapy dynamicznej są systemy odpowiedzialne za wizualizację, planowanie trasy, śledzenie obiektów oraz wykrywanie zagrożeń. W artykule omówiono doświadczenia zebrane podczas przeprowadzonej oceny architektury z wykorzystaniem metody ATAM. Etapy oceny obejmują opis architektury, identyfikację kluczowych scenariuszy oraz ocenę ryzyka ich realizacji

SEparation of rare earth metals ions in a static magnetic field

Rare earth metals are recovered through hydrometallurgical processes. The most difficult stage is the separation from the REE ion mixture allowing pure metals extraction. The used methods are based on subtle differences in chemical properties between individual REE ions. The present work determines efficiency of the separation of aqueous solutions of rare earth metals basing on the differences in physical properties (magnetic moment). The distribution of ions in the solution takes place in a steady magnetic field generated by a set of neodymium magnets. The following parameters affecting the method efficiency are analyzed: time, solution pH, concentration of individual REE ions, complexing additives, as well as the experiment duration and location of stationary magnets in relation to the liquid