Med gradnjo Babilonskega stolpa naj bi se ljudem zavezali jeziki in odtlej naj bi bilo gonilo sveta človeško nerazumevanje. Očitno imajo še bakterije več pameti, saj znanstveniki v zadnjem času odkrivajo natančne mehanizme, kako ti majceni organizmi komunicirajo znotraj vrste in celo medvrstno.
Za več informacij si oglejte odlično predavanje ga. Bonnie Bassler (Princeton, New Jersey).
Če vas je presenetila tista z desetimi odstotki, je vredno prebrati še tole razmišljanje iz NYT - Microbes 'R' Us.
[en] I am told that the Tower of Babvel had something to do with the fact that the world-as-we-know-it is propelled by infinite human incomprehension (well, at least language-vise). As scientist are starting to learn, even bacteria know better. The mechanisms of inter- and even intra-species communication are being unravelled.
Watch Bonnie Bassler's talk on quorum sensing, to learn more. And if you were taken aback by those 10 percent, read the article Microbes 'R' Us published in NYT.
Na zadnjem delovnem mestu sem imel veliko opraviti z metodologijo LCA (life cycle assessment) oz. ocenjevanjem življenjskega cikla po slovensko. Gre za postopek ocenjevanja okoljskega vpliva nekega proizvoda na izbrane kategorije v okolju (toplogredne emisije, potencial za tvorbo kislega dežja, potencial za širjenje ozonske luknje, potencial za evtrofikacijo voda, raba energije, raba vode, ...) tekom celotne življenjske dobe proizvoda (proizvodnja surovin, proizvodnja proizvoda, transport, trgovina, ravnanje z odpadki, recikliranje, ...).
Metodologijo usmerja družina standardov ISO 14040, programska oprema in baze podatkov za ocenjevanje vlipvov na posamezne okoljske kategorije so ponavadi (ne)dostopne pod zelo zasoljenimi cenami. Ko sem začel z delom na projektu, sem si mislil: "zagotovo obstaja open source različica". In res je obstajala, profesionalna, prosto dostopna, s hudimi algoritmi in fency barvami v končnih grafikonih. Ni hudiča, bila je to beta različica, z bazami podatkov ki so omogočale več ali manj nič drugega kot pregledovanje struktur.
Takoj naslednji dan po oddaji končnega poročila mi je Andreas Ciroth, eden izmen LCA gurujev, poslal obvestilce, da je OpenLCA razhroščen in pripravljen za vsesplošno uporabo :)
Kakorkoli že, imel sem priliko preizkusuti preizkusno različico programa in ga pripročam.
[en] My previous work assignment included the evaluation of environmental impact of various agriculture-related systems. For this, I have choosen the LCA (life cycle assessment) approach. This methodology array takes into account the product’s entire life cycle (traw material production, product production, consumption, waste management, ...) to assign the environmental contribution to numerous impact categories (global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, resources consumption, ...).
As LCA is guided by the ISO family 14040 and the usual software and databases for the assessment at the start-up of our project were priced quite highly. I was looking for other options. I was certain that open source alternatives just had to exist. And I was right, the software that was online was even beter than the existing "professional" solutions. But it was in beta and all the stages of LCA were not quite possible yet.
Ever since, I have been anticipating the new release. And the very next day after we have finished our project obligations, I got a short note from the program creators. It said: something like: 'Yesterday we released a bugfix for openLCA, you can download it at the usual download site.' :)
Anyhu, I had the opportunity to test the test version of the program and I recommend it.
Glavno nagrado z letošnjega netečaja Invent Your World je odnesel domov 15-letni srednješolec. Javier Fernández-Han je osnoval idejo zaprtega kroga za proizvodnjo hrane in energije, v katerem so modularno prepleteni obstoječi sistemi za proizvodnjo energije iz obnovljivih virov (proizvodnja biogoriv iz alg, proizvodnja bioplina, ...), sistemi za pridelavo hrane in živalskih krmil, proizvodnja kisika in strategije zmanjševanja toplogrednih emisij. Zmagoviti formuli, ki naj bi bila še posebej prilagojena za nerazvite dežele, je ime VERSATILE.
Ravno pravi čas, saj se je glede na članek v NYT prebudil tudi petrolejski konzervant Exon, ki menda že nekaj časa vlaga v razvoj četrte generacije goriv (rastline, ki so sposobne kopičenja večjih koncentracij ogljika) iz alg.
[en] A 15-year old boy has won the top prize in this year's Invent Your World challenge. Javier Fernández-Han work is based on a holistic energy resource system which is coupling several modular subunits (waste treatment, biogas and algae-oil, production of food and fodder, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and oxygen production). The modular array is designated for use in developing countries and has been named the VERSATILE system.
The time is just right, as Exon is investing into oligae according to an article recently published in NYT.
Med wikipediranjem sem naletel na zanimivo odkritje. HP je razvil novo osnovno elektronsko komponento (za upornikom, kondenzatorjem in indukcijsko tuljavo). To je memristor, ki za shranjevanje informacije porabi zelo majhno količino energije.
[en] While wikibrowsing, I stumbled upon a new electronic component (folowing the reisistor, capacitor and inductor) developed by HP. As it has the ability to store information at low energy consumption, it is called the memristor.
Ker je uporaba mnogih fitosanitarnih sredstev ekološkem kmetijstvu prepovedana (Uredba 889/2008, priloga II.), najdemo na trgu vedno več strojne opreme za zdravstveno varstvo poljščin. Strojni pripomočki za nego tal so okoljsko sprejemljivejši kot raba fitosanitarnih sredstev, vsaj iz vidika toksičnosti za ekosisteme in vpliva na zdravje ljudi.
[en] As many phytosanitary productsare not allowed in organic farming (Regulation 889/2008, annex II.), more and more mechanical weed control equipment is sprouting out on the market. Machine weed cotrol is more environmentally acceptable than phytosanitary products, at least from the point of ecosystem toxicity and human health impact.
15. 06. 2009 sem se udeležil predstavitve delovanja priklopne mehanizacije za zatiranje plevela, ki se je zgodila v Studencu pri Krtini. Na koruznem polju smo si lahko ogledali uporabo česala in naprave za termično zatiranje plevela.
[en] Last month, I went to a public presentation of towed weed control machinery. The use of a tine weeder and a weed-heat-control device was demonstrated on a corn field.
S poljskim česalom kombiniramo zatiranje plevelov z nego tal. Z delovanjem česala prezračujejo in rahljajo zemljo ter preprečujejo zaskorjenost (posledica je izbljšana vodna kapaciteta tal in večja količina rastlinam dostopnih hranil). V predstavitvi se je poljsko česalo se je izkazalo za bolj uspešnega pri odstranjevanju širokolistnega plevela. Četudi s takim načinom zatiranja plevela z njive ne odstranimo vseh nezaželenih rastlin v končni fazi ti 'slepi potniki' sami prispevajo k večji vlažnosti tal.
[en] The tine weeder allows the combination of weed control and tillage practices. The tines aerate and crush the crust of the soil (consequentially, the field water capacity and plant nutrient availability is improved). The presented tine weeder was more successful in the removal of the broadleaved weed types. Even as all the weeds are not remowed from the field, these remaining stowaways do contribute to a higher moisture content of the ground.
priklopno česalo, plod znanja in dela s kmetije, na kateri je potekala predstavitev [en] the presented tine weeder was farm-made
levi dve vrsti sta obdelane s česalom
[en] the weeder was used on the left two rows
O napravi za termično zatiranje plevela, ki se prodaja pod imenom ecobrena, smo slišali že veliko na lanskem 46. kmetijsko živilskem sejmu v Gornji Radgoni, kjer je ecobrena prejela bronasto medaljo. Traktorski priključek je sestavljen iz plinskih šob, razvodil, varnostnih ventilov in nosilca za plinske jeklenke. Šobe usmerjajo plamen pod takim kotom, da uniči plevele, in razkuži zogrnji del tal, posevek pa pusti nepoškodovan.
[en] I have already seen the gas wead-control tractor trailer last year at the 46. International Agricultural – Food Fair in Gornja Radgona, where the device was awarded a bronze medal for mechanical equipment. The attachment is composed of gas burning nozzles, leading hoses and a hoalder for gas cylinders. The nozzles dirrect the flames toward the weeds between the rows and away from the crop. The heat also disinfects the soils top layer.
ecobrena med delovanjem
[en] operating the ecobrena
po obdelavi je uničena cela rastlina
(fotosinteza je prekinjena tudi v zelenih delih rastline na sliki) [en] after burning, the whole plant is destroyed (the photosynthesis stopped in the plant green parts, too)
ročna izvedba
[en] hand-operated model
Zanimiva bi bila še primerjava emisij toplogrednih plinov na račun fitosanitarnih sredstev in zaradi rabe zemeljskega plina (poraba pri prototipu ecobrene je kar velika, 20-40 kg/ha). Vprašanje je, ali bi samo izgoravanje zemeljskega plina sploh kompenzirala toplogredna bilanca proizvodnje, transporta in nanašanja ekvivalentne funkcionalne količine fitosanitarnih sredstev.
[en] It would be interesting to work out a comparison of the greenhouse gas emissions due to the usage of common phytosanitary agents and the usage of such earth-gas based practices (the tractor model consumes 20 to 40 kg gas/ha). It is questionable wether the mere gas burning itself is compensated by the global warming potential decrease of the pesticide functional equivalent production, transport and application.
spark,
w EN,
w SI
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sreda, 15. julij 200904:13
(Ilja)
Program Erazmus za mlade podjetnike (začetek v februarju 2009) nudi nekakšno prakso za nove podjetnike, izposabljanje v tujem MSP (malo ali srednje veliko podjetje) za dobo do šestih mesecev.
[en] A new EU exchange program launched in february, Erazmus for Young Entrepreneurs looks like a nice opportunity for new businessman to improve their professional experience in foreign SMEs.
Pri Polžu sva brkljala po ruski različici Življenja in tehnike, Науки и жизни (letnik 2004?) in naletela na tole kontrapcijo, avtomatizirano prestavljanje črednike (skoraj prepričan sem, da je na sliki Lely Voyager), ki daje popolnoma nov pomen samohodnim kosilnicam :).
Pašnik ogradimo s treh strani v tekalno stezo, četrto stranico pa premikata dva vozna robota, ki se napajata s sončnimi celicami in medsebojno komunicirata z Bluetooth tehnologijo. Sistem je možno programirati tudi tako, da po potrebi prižene živali nazaj na izhodišče (npr. vsakodnevno v molzišče). Takšno povečevanje črednike omogoči enakomeren odvzem paše in zato je manjši tudi delež poteptanega rastlinja.
Za neenakomerne terene je menda na voljo nekaj kompenzacijskih pripomočkov (dodatna ograja, kolesni distančniki, ipd.), toda na OMD območjih se takšnih avtomatskih pastirjev kaj kmalu še ni nadejati...
[en] My all-that-is-Russian-enthusiastic friend and me were ransacking the piles of Науки и жизни (Science & Life) magazine and discovered an article about an automatic grazing system (I'm pretty sure the picture shows the Lely Voyager).
This system consists of three fixed sides and a frontal wire being moved by two solar-powered 4-wheel robots. The robots are in mutual contact via Bluetooth and can be programed to reverse when nedded (e.g. bringing the cows back to the milking parlour once daily).
Irregularities in the terrain can be somewhat compensated with the use of an intermediate fence line, contour following wheel spacers, or such; yet the herdsmen in the less-favored areas are staying bipedal for now...
Podjetje Magenn Power Inc. je razvilo novo letečo vetrno turbino za generacijo elektrike. Vetrna turbina ima zelo lahko konstrukcijo in je napolnjena s helijem, kar omogoča, da turbino dvignejo 300 m v atmosfero, in tam izkoriščajo energijo stalnih vetrov.
Leteča vetrna turbina naj bi bila bolj učinkovita kot 'zemeljske' vetrnice pri generaciji električne energije. Tudi vplivi na okolje, ki jih povezujemo z gradnjo in obratovanjem vetrnih elektrarn (vpliv na izgled pokriajine; zmanjševanje življenjskega prostora živali; trki ptic in netopirjev, hrup; ...), so precej bolje ocenjeni.
Za konec pa še en pomislek: Nažalost tehnologije ne moremo posortirati v sektor izkoriščanja obnovljivih virov energije, ne da bi ob tem vsaj malo zaškilili. Že res, da atmosferski vetrovi ne jenjajo in torej obnovljiv vir so. Zemeljski vir helija pa ni obnovljiv. Helij zelo rad odide iz kakršnega koli obdajajočega materiala, v katerega smo ga ujeli. Zato se uporablja celo kot sledilni plin v preikusith tesnenja in testih tlačne odpornosti. Ko ga spravimo v višje plasti atmosfere je povratno pridobivanje z obstoječimi postopku praktično nemogoče (izredno energetsko potratno).
Jure, hvala a link!
lebdeča vetrna turbina - vir: Magenn Power [en] M.A.R.S, the lighter-than-air wind turbine - source: Magenn Power
[en] A innovative lighter-than air electricity-generating wind turbine has been developed by Magenn Power Inc. The light wind turbine filled with helium can float 300 m in the atmosphere, where winds regularly roam.
The floating wind turbine is said to be more energy efficient and more environmentally friendly (for main environmetal aspects arising from constructing and operation of wind-electricity-generating plants - landscape and habitat impact, avian mortality and noise ).
Anyhow, a downside has occured to me. This technology cannot be included in the renewable energy utilizsation sector, as helium itself is not a renewable terrestrial source. Heluim has a high tendence to leave whatever encapsulation we have provided for it. Therefore, it is even used as a tracer gas when conducting leakage tests. Should helium escape into the upper atmosphere it would be practically impossible to recover from there
Gangolf Jobb, avtor programa TREEFINDER, enega izmed programov za organizacijo filogenetskih dreves iz molekularnih zaporedij, je na listi Max-Planck Society predstavil svoj novi izum. Gre za že večkrat prezrt toplotni stroj z rotacijskim batom (ekvivalent motorja z notranjimi izgorevanjem je Wanklov motor), katerega je Jobb še nadalje izpopolnil.
Toplotni stroji, izmed katerih je verjetno najbolj poznan Stirlingov motor, se lahko uporabljajo kot pnevmatični / parni stroj, kompresor, vakumska črpalka in tudi kot toplotna črpalka (v konkretnem primeru za hlajenje ter klimatizacijo).
Takšne naprave obetajo v sektorju obnovljivih virov energije, kjer se pogosto srečujemo s presežki toplotne energije (še posebno poleti oz. v drugih primerih ko ni potrebe po ogrevanju ...). Jobb omenja izkoriščanje sončne toplote in geotermalne energije, izkoriščanje temperaturnih razlik med atmosfersko in globokomorsko toploto, ter izkoriščanje vseh oblik goriv.
Ni mi znano, ali je prototip že ugledal luč dneva / temno podlago asfalta.
Izkoriščanje sončne toplote s strojem z rotacijskimi bati (C) Gangolf Jobb
[en] Sun heat utilization with the rotary piston array heat engine, (C) by Gangolf Jobb
[en] The TREEFINDER webpage (software for computing phylogenetic trees from molecular sequences, authored by Gangolf Jobb) is hosting some really interesting ideas. Gangolf Jobb has improved the design of the recurrently abandoned rotary piston array heat engine (it's internal combustion equivalent being the Wan kel engine).
Heat engines, like the Stirling motor, can be used as pneumatic or steam engine, gas compressor, vacuum pump and similar, but also as a heat pump (in this case for refrigeration / air-conditioning).
Such contraptions should be welcomed especially in the renewable energy sector, where one often encounters the surpluss of heat (especially in the summer and on other instances when heating is not required). Jobb suggests the harvesting of heat form sun rays and from the geothermal potential, form the temperature difference amongst the atmosphere and the subsea, and from fuel combustion.
I am unaware if the prototype has already seen the light of day and the darkness of the asphalt...
Nemško podjetje Hohenester Sport je predelalo audija A4 quattro, ki lahko za pogonsko gorivo koristi bioplin. Sam lastnik podjetja, Jürgen Hohenester, je sedel za volan in s hitrostjo večjo od 360 km/h dosegel nov svetovni rekord.
[en] Hoenhester Sport, a car tuner company, has modified the audi A4 quattro to run on biogas. The owner himself (Jürgen Hohenester) has taken the steering wheel and achieved speeds over 360 km/h - a new world record.
Agata Jaworska je za Cornell Mushroom Blog predstavila koncept svoje magistrske naloge 'Made in Transit'. Koncept je študijsko osnovan na ostrigarjih. V 'vzgojišču' pripravijo hranilni substrat in ga nacepijo s hifami ostrigarjev ter ga zapakirajo. Embalaža igra tako tudi vlogo 'rastlinjaka', saj ostrigarji rastejo med prevozom in so ob prihodu v trgovino sveže pravšnji za nabiranje. Takšen način proizvodnje, izdelava oz. dokončna priprava proizvoda med transportom, je precej uporaben za dostavo zorjenje živil med transportom, in tudi smiseln v drugih industrijah, celo viskoko tehnoloških (elektronika, avtomobilska industrija, ...).
[en] Cornell Mushroom Blog interviewed Agata Jaworska about her Masters thesis concept, ‘Made in Transit’. The supply chain concept studies is based on oyster mushrooms. In the 'mushroom farm' the substrate is prepared and mixed with the mushroom spores and packaged. Grey oysters would then grow during the transport and arrive fresh and harvest-ready. Such means of production making or finishing the product in transport are especially usefull for food ripening and also applicable in other industries, even tech (like electronics and automobile, ...).
Bakterije iz roda Shewanella, žlahtnice E. Coli, so tudi same že dolgo časa pod žarometom znanosti. So dokaj primerne za gojenje v laboratoriju, njihova podobnost sorodnici nam omogoča uporabo enakih/podobnih raziskovalnih metod. Za izkoriščanje virov energije iz okolja se poslužujejo širokega nabora snovi (nitrit, nitrat, tiosulfat, železo, magnezij, uran) in tolerirajo tudi aerobna okolja. Uporabljajo se v študijah stanja okolja, zaradi kapacitet izkoriščanja težkih kovin so primerne za bioremediacijo, poznane pa so tudi po sposobnosti proizvajanja elektrike in celo izgradnji lastnega nano električnega 'omrežja'.
[en] Members of the bacterial Genus Shewanella are quite the celebrity, like their even more famous relations the Escherichia. The lab-folk admire them, as they are quite suitable for culture maintenance and their similarities to E. Coli enable the application of the same/similar analytical methods. Shewanella bacteria grows anaerobically as well as aerobically and utilizes a broad range of substances for energy 'conversion' (nitrite, nitrate, thisulfate, iron, magnesium, uranium). They are used in many environmental studies, they remove many substances toxic to humans from their growing area and are therefore suitable for bio remediation and are well known for their ability to produce electricity and even their own electrical 'wiring'.
- Shewanella oneidensis pod vrstičnim elektronskim mikroskopom - -[en] Scanning electron microscopy image of Shewanella oneidensis - - source: EMSL -
Te mikroelektrarne pospešeno burijo duhove alternativnih virov energije, še posebno odkar so se gorivne celice prve generacije izkazale za energetsko in tehnološko šibke. Na Univerzi v Minesoti so odkrili, da je v ključni mehanizem pretvorbe hranil iz okolja v električno energijo vključen vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in tako naredili prvi korak na doslej nepoznano pot pretvorbe.
V poskusu so dokazali, da bakterije rastoče na elektrodah proizvajajo riboflavin, ki je deloval kot prenašalec elektronov od bakterijskih celic do elektrod. S kopičenjem riboflavina so povečali novo električne proizvodnje na 370 odstotkov. Ob ustrezno povečani kapaciteti gorivne celice takšna zmogljivost proizvodnje električne energije menda že zadošča za čiščenje odpadnih voda ali napajanje aktivnih senzorjev v okolju. Za komercialno aplikacijo bo zmogljivost potrebno še nadalje izboljšati.
[en] These micro electricity plants became even more interesting to the alternative energy sector, when the future of the first wave of fuel-cells was shattered due to efficiency and technology 'issues'. Not long ago, the energy transformation pathway of Shewanella was a mystery. Last year, the researchers of the University of Minnesota discovered, that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is the key factor in the bacterial electricity production.
Bacteria growing on electrodes were producing riboflavin, as it played the role of electron transporter from the bacterial cell to the electrode. The experiment showed that as riboflavin concentrations increased, so did the the rates of electricity production (up to 370 percent). With such capacity and adequately up sized fuel-cell would be able to power waste water purification processes or active environmental sensors. Yet the commercial applications may be possible with further efficiency optimization.
Znanstveniki z Univerze v Kaliforniji pa so Shewanello namenili drugi rabi. V študiji bioremediacije območja onesnaženega z arzenom so Shewanelle oblikovale nanofilamente arzenovega sulfida s polprevodniškimi lastnostmi. Sedaj želijo Shewanello zaposliti kot izdelovalca nanocevnih polprevodnikov po meri in tako omogočiti okolju prijaznejšo izdelavo esencialnih komponent optično-elektronskih vezij prihodnosti.
Če takole malo na hitro zaškilimo med zgornjimi odstavki, zgleda kot da prihaja doba telefonov, računalnikov, mp*10n prevajalnikov, električnih fajf, plazma golf žogic in bohsigavedišečesa in njih izdelave iz skromnega 'prahu in blata', kajne?
[en] UC Riverside scientists have however, intended the Shewanella to another use.Whilst studying the bacteria bioremediation potential on the material contaminated material, the microorganisms formed arsenic-sulfide nanotubes, which had metal-like and photoconductive properties. Now, their goal is to employ the Shewanella to produce custom nano-photoconductive fibers, an environmentally friendly means of making essential components for future opto-electronic devices.
News like that makes you wanna think about a self organizing world of self building self powering electronic wonders, don' it?
Izvorno kodo widgeta za prikazovanje podobnih objav pod trenutnim postom je za blogger priredil Hoctro, na Jackbook.com pa so kodi dodali dve administratorjem-prijazni izboljšavi: koda je enodelna in ne potrebuje ročnega vnosa podatkov našega bloga. Dobi se tukaj.
[en] Jackbook.com made a nice improvement to the Hoctro's related posts widget. The code in in one piece and paste-and-play compatible :) Grab it here.
spark,
w EN,
w SI
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četrtek, 2. april 200914:02
(Ilja)
Naša mama je prava mestna zelna čarovnica. Rastlinsko kraljestvo, ki se razprostira na njenem balkonu, je večinoma kar svojeročno vzgojila iz sadežev z lokalne prodajalne sadja-zelenjave. Ker ji hitro zmajka posod za rože, semena in rastline nato podtika v vse, kar ji pride nasproti. Tako sili zelenje ven iz starih kuhinjskih posod, čajnikov, pekačev, celo iz umetelno okrašenega podstavka za petrolejko.
[en] Meine mutti is quite the herbal witch of the metropolis. Her home is full of unconventional plants, the most of which she grew from ordinary fruits and vegetables she gets at the local grocers. When she runs out of pots, she uses any thing that holds water. There is green protruding out of old kitchenware, teakettles, roasting pans and even from a petroleum lamp stand decorated with ornaments.
- spredaj L>D; paprika (Capiscum annum), datelj (Phoenix dactylifera) posejan v zimi, datelj posejan spomladi, zadaj; kavovec (Cofea L.) in lanski :) majaron (Origamun majorana) - - [en] in front L>R; bell peppers (Capiscum annum), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) sown in winter, date palm sown in spring, in back; coffe plant (Cofea L.) and the majoram (Origamun majorana) from last year :) - - poleti pod hibiskusom mali papigi dvorijo golobi - - [en] in the summer, the little parrot is courted by pidgeons - (Hibiscus L.) - neznani prišlek / unknown visitor -
Youtube že nekaj časa gosti tudi predavanja iz Berkeley-a. Včeraj sem odkril prof. Marian Diamond, ki je prava inspiracija.
[en] Berkley has been providing the lectures from it's courses on Youtube for some time now. Yesterday, I was taken aback by the lecture of prof. Marian Diamond.
ecol,
spark,
w EN
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četrtek, 12. marec 200905:12
(Ilja)
Da se zakoni čez lužo podrejajo trgu vemo že dolgo (kot sta na dolgo in široko razdelala avtorja uspešnice Funky Buisness Forever). Marie-Monique Robin iz Francije, režiserka filma The World According to Monsanto pa opozarja, da se v ugodnih razmerah po vetru obrača tudi 'znanost'.
[en] The system where the law is governed by the needs of the market was described and compared with other capitalistic systems (to EU and China model) in the bestseller Funky Buisness Forever. Marie-Monique Robin from France, now warns about the inclusion of footman 'science' in the same system, creating legal environmental crimes and health consequences.
ecol,
w EN,
w SI
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nedelja, 22. februar 200902:10
(Ilja)
Željni znanja o zeliščih smo se v sredo, 18.02.09 zbrali v dvorani zadružnega doma na Mlinših pri Izlakah. Na vabilo RK Mlinše - Kolovrat & Zeliščarske Kmetije Plavica na predavanje 'Razne nevarnosti in zanimivosti pri uporabi zdravilnih rastlin' se nas je odzvalo dobrih šestdeset komadov in ko je ob sedemnajsti dr. Samo Kreft naznanil, da ima materiala za dobre štiri ure, je najprej kar završalo, potem pa smo ostali odprtih ušes do devete ure v neokrnjeni zasedbi.
[en] On Wednesday 18.02.09 we wnet to hear a lecture about the use of hearbs. At the begining, the lecturer Samo Kreft, Ph.D., a professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy modestly remarked that he is prepared for, say, 4 hours or so... The 5-dozen-head audience rustled a bit but when lecture started the four hours just flew by.
V izčrpnem in odlično izpeljanem predavanju smo se na široko seznanili s predstavljenimi zelišči, od osnovnih informacij, opravljenih raziskav, pri številnih celo do učinka posameznih sestavin na molekularnem nivoju. Predavanje je potekalo skozi sproščen dialog, saj smo pošlušalci dobro izkoristili prošnjo predavatelja po sprotnih vprašanjih.
[en] The talk was comprehensive and well-prepared and we learnd the herbs presented from their basic characteristics, relevant researches done in the medical and pharmaceutical field, and even in some cases the explanation of the herb effect at the molecular level was provided. As the audience was keen on learning, we were never short on questions.
Posebej smo se ustavili pri ameriškem slamniku (Echinacea purpurea), ki je dobro poznana sestavina pripravkov za višanje odpornosti. Izvedeli smo zanimiv podatek, da so raziskave na pripravkih iz Ameriškega slamnika doslej dokazale le kratkotrajen vpliv na odpornost. Bolniki, ki so zauživali tovrstne pripravke takoj po nastopu določenih bolezenskih znakov (pri prehladu, gripi, ...) so ozdraveli hitreje kot skupina ki je zauživala placebo. Vpliv preventivnega zauživanja pripravkov iz Ameriškega slamnika (zauživanje v daljšem obdobju pred nastopom bolezenskih znkov) pa doslej ni dokazan.
Seznanili smo se tudi z možnimi interkacijami vzporednega zauživanja želiščnih pripravkov in "klasičnih" zdravil. Kadar zauživamo zelišča ločeno od terapije, ki nam jo je predpisal zdravnik, se moramo zavedati, da lahko učinkovine zelišč bodisi oslabijo bodisi ojačajo (tudi do toksičnosti) učinek zdravil (izpostavljena je bila šentjanževka (Hypericum perforatum), ki v telesu pospeši presnovno aktivnost). Ker je s tem omejena učinkovitost zdravljenja, raba želiščnih pripravkov vsekakor zahteva posvetovanje z strokovnajkom.
[en] I found the presentation of the effect of the Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) products (sold as immune boosters and such...) to be especially interesting. Apparently, studies have shown a short-termed effect of the immunity amplification so far. Patients, which started using the Echinacea purpurea products soon after the manifestation of some ilnesses (like flue, cold, ...) have gotten well before the ones in the placebo control group. However, the preventive effect (using the products well-before the ilness) is not proven to this day.
[en] Also, the possible interactions between herb active ingrediens and the "classic" drugs was presented. The hearb-products which are consumed indipendently from the therapy perscribed by the doctor can interfere with the efectivness of the medical treatment. The hearb ingredients may either weaken or amplify (to the toxic range) the effects of other drugs (here St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) was mentioned, which increases the metabolism and thus causes multiple drug interactins).
So, herbs are not to be misused, and the best way before we decide to employ them for ourselves or someone else is to have a word about it with an expert.
Če ste na svojem prenosniku že kdaj nehote zablokirali prezračevalno pot, potem poznate pomembnost hlajenja integriranih vezij - procesor se je pregrel in izklopil. Potrebo po hlajenju poznajo tudi ekstremisti navijanja procesorjev, ki se poslužujejo enakovredno ekstremnega hlajenja s tekočim dušikom ali suhim ledom.
[en] If you had ever unintentionally blocked the fan of your laptop, then you are well aware of the importance of the individual computer components. Usually, the processor is the first to blackout and the computer shuts down. And bigger is the (need for) speed, bigger grows the chill for heat. So the CPU-overcocking enthusiasts even use stuff like liquid nitrogen and dry ice to keep things cool.
- hlajenje navitega procesorja s tekočim dušikom / cooling an overclocked processor with liquid nitrogen (Wikipedia) -
Velikost elektronskih vezij se zmanjšuje (nedavno smo si lahko ogledali nano stikalo), zmogljivost pa povečuje (procesorji zadnjih let so celo ogrozili veljavnost Moorovega zakona). Ker pa je tekoči dušik nekoliko predrag in tudi nekoliko neroden, če se polije (vse v njegovem dosegu, od tipkovnice do vaših hišnih ljubljenčkov postane rado nekoliko krhko) se za komercialne sisteme razvija bolj ali manj sofisticirane sisteme, od pasivnih hladilnikov, prezračevanja, vodnega, plinskega in celo oljnega hlajenja do termičnih zapor.
[en] The inhabitants of electronic circuits are getting smaller (the nano switch was born recently) and stronger (2008 CPU's are putting a bad light on Mooroe's law). Liquid nitrogen being somewhat too expensive and high maintenance (if spilled, everything in its reach, from your keypad to your house pets, tends to get rather fragile), the commercial PCs are equipped with passive sinks, ventilation, liquid, gas & yes, oil cooling systems or even with thermal bumps.
Prav okrog termoelektričnega ohlajevanja se v zadnjem času vrti del pozornosti polprevodniške, avtomobilske, vojaške, vesoljske, itd... industrije, še poseben pomen pa lahko dobi v času fantazme recesije pri reševanju zadreg obnovljivih virov energije.
[en] Apparently, thermoelectric modules have been around for some time now - happily cooling and generating power - but the production of smaller units was technologically challenged. Now the industries have the technology to apply them.
Termoelektrični efekt je leta 1921 opisal Thomas Seedback. Ugotovil je, da različni kovini ki jih povežemo na dveh mestih in spoja izpostavimo različnim temperaturam, povzročita nastanek električne napetosti. In nasprotno, v primeru, da dve kovini v prostoru z enako temperaturo priključimo na električno napetost, na spojih ustvarimo temperaturni diferencial (Jean Charles Athanase Peltier, 1834).
[en] The thermoelectric effect was described by Thomas Seedback in 1921. He discovered, that two different metals with junctures at different temperatures produce an electrical potential (voltage). Vice versa, when a current is made to flow through the metal couple, a temperature differential is developed on the junctions (Jean Charles Athanase Peltier, 1834).
V nekem ameriškem podjetju so dobro izkoristili oba principa. Proizvajajo tako miniaturna hladilna telesa (med njimi je tudi Frosty, The World's Smallest Ice Maker), kot tankoplastne termoelektrične mikorgeneratorje.
[en] An American company is making good use of the Seedback-Peltier effect. They offer both micro-cooling devices (such as: Frosty, The World's Smallest Ice Maker) and thin-film miniature thermoelectric generators.
Očitno se pripravljajo na majceno razširitev obsega kapacitet njihovih produktov za proizvodnjo elektrike, saj Tech-on poroča o prototipu termoelektričnega pretvornika, ki v trenutni izvedbi omogoča napajanje led diode z navadno čajno svečko.
[en] A Tech-on collumn reports about a counter-top-size thermoelectric converter which transformed the heat of a candle flame into electricity powering an LED.
Toda pečenje ni edini način za razsvetljevanje LED diod, tako azijski blog. V raziskovalni skupini profesorja Yoshiakija Watanabe (Doshisha University) razvijajo hladilni sistem, ki deluje na principu termoakustičnega fenomena.
[en] But roastig is not the only way to micro-electricity-generation. Professor Yoshiaki Watanabe of Doshisha University and his research group are currently developing a cooling technology based on a thermoacoustic phenomenon.
Če v tako cev namestimo še mikrofon (so dodali teksaški kolegi iz A&M University), lahko iz tovrstnega tuljenja ob hladu kogeneriramo še električno energijo.
[en] Also, it is possible to put a microphone in the tube to generate electricity (electricity comes from the mike in the Texan A&M University, too).
Ako se bo kateri od sistemov prijel, se lahko kaj kmalu zgodi, da bomo s kramljanjem polnili in ne praznili svoje mobilne telefona, ob razsvetljavi ognjišča v kampu nemoteno brkljali po svojih prenosnikih, da o energetskem potencialu rock koncertov sploh ne govorimo...
[en] And so it seems, that the future will bring voice-powered telephones and camp-fire-lap-tops. And let's not forget about all those noisy rock concerts!
Kakršni že bodo, se bomo malih pretvornikov iz toplote v energije vsekakor razveselili v sektorju obnovljivih virov energije. Tudi v mojem fohu, proizvodnji bioplina. Na tipični bioplinski napravi v Sloveniji proizvedeni bioplin odvajajo na plinske turbine - motorje z notranjim izgorevanjem. Ti motorji poganjajo generatorje, kjer nastaja elektrika. Tako je proizvodnja je omejena z velikostjo motorjev na trgu in kjer nastaja odpadna organska snov v 'manjšem' obsegu, ostaja potencial za proizvodnjo bioplina neizkoriščen. Rusi, ki jim nič mehanskega ni tujega, na trgu ponujajo precej ugodne agregatne enote za nekaj gospodinjstev 'odpladkov'. Grin-goti, ki morajo biti v vsem boljši od Rusov, si bodo sedaj omislili še manjše plinske motorje (DailyTech) ampak to je že druga zgodba. Skratka, ... tale svečLED mi je simpatičen. Ker se takorekoč sprehaja po vrhu strojniške occamove žiletke. Ker je princip tako enostaven. Ker lahko pod njim zakurim ta bioplin in potem gledam televizijo na kanale.
[en] Whatever the form, the possibility of generating electricity with a higher small scale efficiency is surely a bright light in the renewable energy sector. Great potential, especially up my biogas valley. In Slovenia, biogas produced in a typical biogas plant fuels an internal combustion engine, which drives an electrical generator. Therefore, such production is limited with the size of the biogas engines on the market. In Russia it is possible to get hold of household-sized aggregated units. In America, a miniature gas engine could be produced soon (DailyTech), but that's another story. Anyhow, should this candle burning LED monster prove efficient, biogas will surely be amongst it's intestine heaters to power a new age of laundry-drying and TV-watching :)
Prav zanima me, kako se bodo selili sistemi izkoriščanja energije iz obsegov industrijskih nivojev na našo zelenico in kako nas bodo v dnevni sobi (no, ... kopalnici) za fotovoltaiko obiskali še načini izkoriščanja drugih obnovljivih virov energije. [en] I can't wait to see, if the hard-to-get energy sources shall visit from the industry- level and stay in our back yard, and how the beyond-photovoltaic-pathways of renewable energy utilization will make friends with our households.
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