Influence of Parameter Uncertainty to Stator Current Reconstruction Using Modified Luenberger Observer for Current Sensor Fault-Tolerant Induction Motor Drive.

In modern systems with induction motors (IM), in addition to precision, it is also very important to ensure the highest possible reliability and safety. To ensure the above, information about the stator current value is required. If the current sensor (CS) fails, a redundant sensor or an algorithmic solution can be used. The Luenberger observer (LO) can be used to estimate the lost stator current without increasing the cost of the drive system. However, this solution is based on the mathematical model of IM, which is sensitive to its parameters. Therefore, this paper presents a modified LO (MLO) and investigates the effect of a coefficient in the error gain matrix on improving robustness to changes in the IM parameters. As shown by extensive studies, the proposed solution has significantly reduced the influence of the IM parameters on the accuracy of the stator current estimation, which has not been previously reported in the known literature.

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) in the Screening of Botanicals-Its Versatile Potential and Selected Applications.

The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of the main aims and scopes in screening of botanicals, a task of which thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is, on an everyday basis, confronted with and engaged in. Stunning omnipresence of this modest analytical technique (both in its standard format (TLC) and the high-performance one (HPTLC), either hyphenated or not) for many analysts might at a first glance appear chaotic and random, with an auxiliary rather than leading role in research, and not capable of issuing meaningful final statements. Based on these reflections, our purpose is not to present a general review paper on TLC in screening of botanicals, but a blueprint rather (illustrated with a selection of practical examples), which highlights a sovereign and important role of TLC in accomplishing the following analytical tasks: (i) solving puzzles related to chemotaxonomy of plants, (ii) screening a wide spectrum of biological properties of plants, (iii) providing quality control of herbal medicines and alimentary and cosmetic products of biological origin, and (iv) tracing psychoactive plants under forensic surveillance.

Possibility to Biotransform Anthracyclines by Peroxidases Produced by Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS 930 with Reduction of Geno- and Cytotoxicity and Pro-Oxidative Activity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioremoval mechanism of anthracycline antibiotics by the white-rot fungus B. adusta CCBAS 930. The activity of oxidoreductases and levels of phenolic compounds and free radicals were determined during the biotransformation of anthraquinone antibiotics: daunomycin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DOX) by B. adusta strain CCBAS 930. Moreover, phytotoxicity (Lepidium sativum L.), ecotoxicity (Vibrio fischeri), genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of anthraquinone dyes were evaluated before and after biological treatment. More than 80% and 90% of DNR and DOX were removed by biodegradation (decolorization). Initial solutions of DNR and DOX were characterized by eco-, phyto-, geno- and cytotoxicity. Despite efficient decolorization, secondary metabolites, toxic to bacteria, formed during biotransformation of anthracycline antibiotics in B. adusta CCBAS 930 cultures. DNR and DOX metabolites did not increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human fibroblasts and resazurin reduction. DNR metabolites did not change caspase-3 activity.

Growth conditions, physiological properties, and selection of optimal parameters of biodegradation of anticancer drug daunomycin in industrial effluents by Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS930.

The study characterizes the anamorphic Bjerkandera adusta strain CCBAS 930, including growth conditions, physiological properties, and enzymatic activities related to basic metabolism and specific properties coupled with the fungal secondary metabolism. It was established that the fungus grows in a wide pH range (3.5-7.5), up to 3% of salt concentration and a temperature of 5-30 °C. Media rich in natural organic components (potato, maize extracts, whey) are optimal for biomass propagation. Minimal media, containing mineral salts and glucose as well as static growth conditions, are required to obtain idiophasic mycelium, equivalent to the secondary metabolism of the fungus. Of the 7 complex C, N, and energy sources tested, the strain did not utilize only fibrous cellulose. Lipolytic activity reached the highest values of the enzymatic activities corresponding to those capabilities. The specific properties of strain B. adusta CCBAS 930 determined by the production of HRP-like peroxidase were related to the decolorization and biodegradation of anthraquinone derivative daunomycin. The decolorization of 30% of daunomycin effluents occurred most rapidly in iso-osmotic medium and non-enriched with nitrogen, containing 0.25% glucose, pH = 5.0-6.0, and 25-30 °C. In agitated cultures, the strain decolorized solutions of daunomycin by biosorption, which coincided with the inhibition of aerial mycelium production and HRP-like biosynthesis. Based on knowledge, potential and real possibilities of using the strain in bioremediation of colored industrial sewage were discussed.

On the optimization of bone SPECT/CT in terms of image quality and radiation dose.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to present the optimization process of CT parameters to reduce patient exposure during bone SPECT/CT without affecting the quality of SPECT images with attenuation correction (AC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A fillable phantom reflecting realistic bone scintigraphy conditions was developed and acquired on an AnyScan SC. SPECT/CT scans were carried out with different x-ray tube current values (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 90, 110, 130, 150, and 200 mA) at three different high-voltage values (80, 100, and 120 kV). The contrast (C) and coefficients of variation (CV) in the SPECT images as well as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise (SDCT ) in the CT images with CTDIvol were measured. An optimal acquisition protocol that obtained SPECT/CT images with no artifacts on both CT and SPECT images, acceptable C, SNR, CV, and SDCT values, and the largest reduction in patient exposure compared to the reference acquisition procedure was sought. RESULTS: The optimal set of parameters for bone SPECT/CT was determined based on a phantom study. It has been implemented in clinical practice. Two groups of patients were examined according to the baseline and optimized protocols, respectively. The new SPECT/CT protocol substantially reduced patients' radiation exposure compared to the old protocol while maintaining the required diagnostic quality of SPECT and CT images. CONCLUSIONS: In the study, we present a methodology that finds a compromise between diagnostic information and patient exposure during bone SPECT/CT procedures.

Modification of post-industrial lignin by fungal strains of the genus Trichoderma isolated from different composting stages.

One of the links in the environmental management chain is the environmentally friendly utilization of the emerging post-industrial waste and improvement of the methods of processing thereof. The aim and novelty of this research was to evaluate the potential of fungi to purify wastewater containing post-industrial lignin, i.e. waste originating from the pulp and paper industry. Trichoderma were dominant in the composts with different qualities and quantities of lignocellulosic compounds. The Trichoderma strains used in the research were isolated from two lignocellulosic composts at three different time points (from 10-, 20- and 30-week-old composting mass). Eighteen strains of the genus Trichoderma were tested for their ability to biodegrade 0.2% post-industrial lignin. It was evaluated by determination of decolorization, activities of ligninolytic enzymes, and concentration of phenolic compounds in the post-culture liquid. The Trichoderma strains isolated from 10-week-old compost I and 30-week-old compost II showed the highest decolorization activity and biotransformation of dark post-industrial lignin. All strains secreted horseradish-like peroxidase (HRP-like), superoxide dismutase-like (SOD-like), xylanase, and phenolic compounds. Strains isolated from 30-week-old compost I and from 10-week-old compost II released the greatest amounts of phenolic compounds into the culture liquid containing post-industrial lignin. The strains isolated from 10- and 20-week-old compost were characterized by high SOD-like and HRP-like activity, respectively. The concentration of phenolic compounds measured with HPLC in Trichoderma fungus culture VII from compost I corresponded with the decolorization degree and high HRP-like activity. The study results indicate that the genus Trichoderma with decolorization activity isolated from the first composting stages can be used in the biotransformation of post-industrial lignin waste.

Decolorization and biodegradation of melanoidin contained in beet molasses by an anamorphic strain of Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS930 and its mutants.

We used a ligninolytic strain of the white-rot fungus B. adusta CCBAS 930 and its mutants with modified ligninolytic activity to assess their potential to remove of molasses. The analyzed strains have been shown to be able to decolorize 1% or 2% molasses solutions containing brown-colored toxic melanoidins. It was found that the decolorization process was determined by the transition to the stage of production of sporulating aerial mycelium (liquid and agar cultures) coupled with an increase in peroxidase activity, which was accompanied by a decrease in the level of melanoidin, free radicals, and phenolic compounds. Four different peroxidase activities were detected in post-culture liquids, i.e. horseradish-like (HRP-like), manganese-dependent (MnP), lignin (LiP), and versatile (VP) peroxidase activities. The HRP-like peroxidase was characterized by the highest activity. The efficiency of removal of melanoidins from a 1% molasses solution by the parental strain and the mutants was dependent on the culture method. The highest efficiency was noted in immobilized cultures (threefold higher than in the mycelium-free cultures), which was accompanied by stimulation of HRP-like peroxidase activity. Mutant 930-5 was found to be the most effective in the decolorization and decomposition of melanoidin. The HRP-like activity in the immobilized cultures of B. adusta 930-5 was 640-fold higher than in the mycelium-free cultures of the fungus. Moreover, decolorization and biodegradation of melanoidin by B. adusta CCBAS 930 and 930-5 was coupled with detoxification.

Virtual Current Sensor in the Fault-Tolerant Field-Oriented Control Structure of an Induction Motor Drive.

Designing electrical drives resistant to the failures of chosen sensors has recently become increasingly popular due to the possibility of their use in fault-tolerant control (FTC) systems including drives for electric vehicles. In this article, a virtual current sensor (VCS) based on an algorithmic method for the reconstruction of the induction motor (IM) phase currents after current sensor faults was proposed. This stator current estimator is based only on the measurements of the DC-bus voltage in the intermediate circuit of the voltage-source inverter (VSI) and a rotor speed. This proposal is dedicated to fault-tolerant vector controlled IM drives, where it is necessary to switch to scalar control as a result of damage to the current sensors. The proposed VCS allows further uninterrupted operation of the direct rotor-field oriented control (DRFOC) of the induction motor drive. The stator current estimator has been presented in the form of equations, enabling its practical implementation in a microprocessor system. Simulation studies of the proposed algorithm in an open and closed-loop DRFOC structure are presented under different operation conditions of the drive system. The experimental verification of the proposed method is also presented and the accuracy of the stator current estimation algorithm is analyzed under various operating conditions of the drive system.

Comparative study of eco- and cytotoxicity during biotransformation of anthraquinone dye Alizarin Blue Black B in optimized cultures of microscopic fungi.

The aim of this study was to select optimal conditions (C and N sources, initial pH and temperature) for biodecolorization of 0.03% anthraquinone dye Alizarin Blue Black B (ABBB) by microscopic fungi: Haematonectria haematococca BwIII43, K37 and Trichoderma harzianum BsIII33. The phenolic compounds, phytotoxicity (Lepidium sativum L.), biotoxicity (Microtox), cytotoxicity and yeast viability assay were performed to determine the extent of ABBB detoxification. Biodecolorization and detoxification of 0.03% ABBB in H. haematococca BwIII43 and T. harzianum BsIII33 cultures was correlated with extracellular oxidoreductases activity. In turn, secondary products, toxic to human fibroblasts and respiring sod1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, were formed in H. haematococca K37 strain cultures, despite efficient decolorization.

Synthesis of Indoleacetic Acid, Gibberellic Acid and ACC-Deaminase by Mortierella Strains Promote Winter Wheat Seedlings Growth under Different Conditions.

The endogenous pool of phytoregulators in plant tissues supplied with microbial secondary metabolites may be crucial for the development of winter wheat seedlings during cool springs. The phytohormones may be synthesized by psychrotrophic microorganisms in lower temperatures occurring in a temperate climate. Two fungal isolates from the Spitzbergen soils after the microscopic observations and "the internal transcribed spacer" (ITS) region molecular characterization were identified as Mortierella antarctica (MA DEM7) and Mortierella verticillata (MV DEM32). In order to study the synthesis of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), Mortierella strains were grown on media supplemented with precursor of phytohormones tryptophan at 9, 15 °C, and 20 °C for nine days. The highest amount of IAA synthesis was identified in MV DEM32 nine-day-culture at 15 °C with 1.5 mM of tryptophan. At the same temperature (15 °C), the significant promoting effect (about 40% root and shoot fresh weight) of this strain on seedlings was observed. However, only MA DEM-7 had the ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase activity with the highest efficiency at 9 °C and synthesized IAA without tryptophan. Moreover, at the same conditions, the strain was confirmed to possess the strong promoting effect (about 40% root and 24% shoot fresh weight) on seedlings. Both strains synthesized GA in all tested terms and temperatures. The studied Mortierella strains had some important traits that led them to be considered as microbial biofertilizers components, improving plant growth in difficult temperate climates.

The Forty-Sixth Euro Congress on Drug Synthesis and Analysis: Snapshot †.

The 46th EuroCongress on Drug Synthesis and Analysis (ECDSA-2017) was arranged within the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia from 5-8 September 2017 to get together specialists in medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, pharmaceutical analysis, screening of bioactive compounds, pharmacology and drug formulations; promote the exchange of scientific results, methods and ideas; and encourage cooperation between researchers from all over the world. The topic of the conference, "Drug Synthesis and Analysis," meant that the symposium welcomed all pharmacists and/or researchers (chemists, analysts, biologists) and students interested in scientific work dealing with investigations of biologically active compounds as potential drugs. The authors of this manuscript were plenary speakers and other participants of the symposium and members of their research teams. The following summary highlights the major points/topics of the meeting.

Antioxidant Activity of Selected Thyme (Thymus L.) Species and Study of the Equivalence of Different Measuring Methodologies.

This study presents the results of comparative evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the phenolic fraction exhaustively extracted with aqueous methanol from 18 different thyme (Thymus L.) specimens and species. This evaluation is made with use of the same free radical source (DPPH• radical), three different free radical scavenging models (gallic acid, ascorbic acid, and Trolox), and three different measuring techniques (the dot blot test, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, EPR). A comparison of the equivalence of these three different measuring techniques (performed with use of hierarchical clustering with Euclidean distance as a similarity measure and Ward's linkage) is particularly important in view of the fact that different laboratories use different antioxidant activity measuring techniques, which makes any interlaboratory comparison hardly possible. The results obtained confirm a semiquantitative equivalence among the three compared methodologies, and a proposal is made of a simple and cost-effective dot blot test that uses the DPPH• radical and provides differentiation of antioxidant activity of herbal matter comparable with the results of the UV-Vis spectrophotometry and EPR.

A Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Selected Thyme (Thymus) Species by Means of the Dot Blot Test with Direct Bioautographic Detection.

Bioautography carried out with the aid of thin-layer chromatographic adsorbents can be used to assess antibacterial activity in samples of different origin. It can either be used as a simple and cost-effective detection method applied to a developed chromatogram, or to the dot blot test performed on a chromatographic plate, where total antibacterial activity of a sample is scrutinized. It was an aim of this study to compare antibacterial activity of 18 thyme (Thymus) specimens and species (originating from the same gardening plot and harvested in the same period of time) by means of a dot blot test with direct bioautography. A two-step extraction of herbal material was applied, and at step two the polar fraction of secondary metabolites was obtained under the earlier optimized extraction conditions [methanol-water (27+73, v/v), 130°C]. This fraction was then tested for its antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis bacteria. It was established that all investigated extracts exhibited antibacterial activity, yet distinct differences were perceived in the size of the bacterial growth inhibition zones among the compared thyme species. Based on the results obtained, T. citriodorus "golden dwarf" (sample No. 5) and T. marschallianus (sample No. 6) were selected as promising targets for further investigations and possible inclusion in a herbal pharmacopeia, which is an essential scientific novelty of this study.

Negative correlation between mycological surfaces pollution in hospital emergency departments and blood monocytes phagocytosis of healthcare workers.

The aim of the present study was to find a possible relationship between the presence of yeast and filamentous fungi in hospital emergency departments and the activity levels of blood granulocytes and monocytes in emergency personnel. The study of mycological pollution was conducted in winter; the samples were collected from 10 Warsaw hospitals emergency departments (HE D) and in 10 control locations (office spaces) and included air samples and swabbing of floor and walls. The blood for immunological investigation was taken in spring, from 40 men, 26 to 53 years old, healthcare workers of these departments, who have been working for at least 5 years in their current positions, and from 36 corresponding controls, working in control offices. Evaluation of blood leukocyte subpopulations was done by hematological analyzer and cytometry analysis and monocyte and granulocyte phagocytosis by Phagotest. There were no significant differences in the level of mycological contamination between the test and control places. The qualitative analysis of the surfaces and air samples revealed a prevalence of strains belonging to Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. genus. Statistical analysis revealed the existence of negative correlation between the number of phagocytizing blood monocytes and fungi spores content on floor and wall surfaces in hospital emergency departments (r = -0.3282, p < 0.05 and positive correlation between the number of phagocytizing monocytes in the blood of office workers and fungi pollution of control offices (r = 0.4421, p < 0.01).

Anthraquinone dyes decolorization capacity of anamorphic Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS 930 strain and its HRP-like negative mutants.

Cultures of the anamorphic fungus Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS 930 decolorizing, in stationary cultures, 0.01 % solutions of carminic acid and Poly R-478, were characterised by a strong increase in the activity of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP-like) and manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) at a low activity of lignin peroxidase. Genotypically modified mutants of B. adusta CCBAS 930: 930-5 and 930-14, with total or partial loss of decolorization capabilities relative to anthraquinonic dyes, showed inhibition of the activity of HRP-like peroxidase and MnP. Whereas, compared to the parental strain, in the mutant cultures there was an increase in the activity of lignin peroxidase and laccase. The paper presents a discussion of the role of the studied enzymatic activities in the process of decolorization of anthraquinonic dyes by the strain B. adusta CCBAS 930.

Determination of selected protoporphyrins in parma ham with use of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin as a surrogate standard in the recovery study.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of hemin, protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), and zinc(II)protoporphyrin IX (Zn(II)PPIX) in Parma ham was developed. The detection was done by means of a universal DAD-detector, whereby quantification of the three naturally occurring protoporphyrins was carried out at lambda = 414 nm, i.e., very close to the respective maxima of their Soret bands. The extraction thereof from the meat matrix was done by a mixture of acetone and chloroacetic acid (100 mL + 0.2 g). Usage of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) as a surrogate standard and its detection fixed at lambda = 444 nm, allowed to obtain accurate (ca. 96%) recovery results. Established concentrations of hemin, Zn(II)PPIX, and PPIX in the Parma ham samples were 15.97, 19.96 and 1.52 µg g(-1), respectively.

The use of TLC-DPPH* test with image processing to study direct antioxidant activity of phenolic acid fractions of selected Lamiaceae family species.

TLC coupled with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl staining was used to analyze phenolic acid fractions of selected Salvia and Thymus species. Documented videoscans were processed by means of an image processing program. This is the first time that free phenolic acids fractions, as well as fractions containing phenolic acids derived from basic and acidic hydrolysis, have been analyzed and compared for selected sage and thyme species. The analyzed samples along with caffeic acid (CA; standard) were chromatographed on silica gel plates with toluene-ethyl acetate-formic acid (60 + 40 + 1, v/v/v) mobile phase. The extracts were investigated with respect to the activity of CA. It was found that CA was most abundant in the fractions derived from basic hydrolysis. This compound was not detected in any of the fractions obtained after acidic hydrolysis. S. officinalis and S. triloba have similar free radical scavenging activity fingerprints obtained for all the analyzed fractions.

Aspergillus fumigatus and other thermophilic fungi in nests of wetland birds.

A study was performed on the numbers and species diversity of thermophilic fungi (growing at 45 °C in vitro) in 38 nests of 9 species of wetland birds, taking into account the physicochemical properties of the nests and the bird species. It was found that in nests with the maximum weight (nests of Mute Swan), the number and diversity of thermophilic fungi were significantly greater than in other nests, with lower weight. The diversity of the thermophilic biota was positively correlated with the individual mass of bird and with the level of phosphorus in the nests. The dominant species within the mycobiota under study was Aspergillus fumigatus which inhabited 95% of the nests under study, with average frequency of ca. 650 cfu g(-1) of dry mass of the nest material. In a majority of the nests studied (nests of 7 bird species), the share of A. fumigatus exceeded 50% of the total fungi growing at 45 °C. Significantly higher frequencies of the fungal species were characteristic of the nests of small and medium-sized piscivorous species, compared with the other bird species. The number of A. fumigatus increased with increase in the moisture level of the nests, whereas the frequency of occurrence of that opportunistic pathogen, opposite to the general frequency of thermophilic mycobiota, was negatively correlated with the level of phosphorus in the nest material, and with the body mass and length of the birds. The authors indicate the causes of varied growth of thermophilic fungi in nests of wetland birds and, in particular, present a discussion of the causes of accumulation of A. fumigatus, the related threats to the birds, and its role as a source of transmission in the epidemiological chain of aspergillosis.

Randomized clinical trial on preoperative radiotherapy 25 Gy in rectal cancer--treatment results at 5-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of time interval between preoperative hyperfractionated radiotherapy (5 × 5 Gy) and surgery on long-term overall survival (5 years) and recurrence rate in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer operated on according to total mesorectal excision technique. METHODS: The treatment group comprised 154 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were operated on between 1999 and 2006 in the 1st Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland. The data on survival has been systematically collected until 31st of December 2010. In addition, the following aspects were analyzed: the significance of time interval between the end of radiotherapy and surgical treatment and its influence on downsizing, downstaging, rate of curative resections, and sphincter-sparing procedures. Patients were qualified to preoperative radiotherapy 5 × 5 Gy and then randomly assigned to subgroups with different time intervals between radiotherapy and surgery: one subgroup consisted of 77 patients operated on 7-10 days after the end of irradiation, and the second subgroup consisted of 77 patients operated on after 4-5 weeks. Both groups were homogenous in sex, age, cancer stage and localization, distal and circumferential resection margins, and number of resected lymph nodes. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate in patients operated on 7-10 days after irradiation was 63%, whereas in those operated on after 4-5 weeks, it was 73%-the difference was not statistically significant (log rank, p = 0.24). A statistically significant increase in 5-year survival rate was observed only in patients with downstaging after radiotherapy-90% in comparison with 60% in patients without response to neoadjuvant treatment (log rank, p = 0.004). Recurrence was diagnosed in 13.2% of patients. A lower rate of systemic recurrence was observed in patients operated on 4-5 weeks after the end of irradiation (2.8% vs. 12.3% in the subgroup with a shorter interval, p = 0.035). No differences in local recurrence rates were observed in both subgroups of irradiated patients (p = 0.119). The longer time interval between radiotherapy and surgery resulted in higher downstaging rate (44.2% vs. 13% in patients with a shorter interval, p = 0.0001) although it did not increase the rate of sphincter-saving procedures (p = 0.627) and curative resections (p = 0.132). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Improved 5-year survival rate is observed only in patients with downstaging after preoperative irradiation dose of 25 Gy. 2. Longer time interval after preoperative radiotherapy 25 Gy does not improve the rate of sphincter-saving procedures and curative resections (R0) despite higher downstaging rate observed in this regimen.