Ultrasound-assisted extraction was used for extraction of bioactive compounds and for production of Allium ursinum liquid extract. The experiments were carried out according to tree level, four variables, face-centered cubic experimental design (FDC) combined with response surface methodology (RSM). Temperature (from 40 to 80 °C), ethanol concentration (from 30% to 70%), extraction time (from 40 to 80 min) and ultrasonic power (from 19.2 to 38.4 W/L) were investigated as independent variables in order to obtain the optimal conditions for extraction and to maximize the yield of total phenols (TP), flavonoids (TF) and antioxidant activity of obtained extracts. Experimental results were fitted to the second order polynomial model where multiple regression and analysis of variance were used to determine the fitness of the model and optimal condition for investigated responses. The predicted values of the TP (1.60 g GAE/100 g DW), TF (0.35 g CE/100 g DW), antioxidant activity, IC50 (0.71 mg/ml) and EY (38.1%) were determined at the optimal conditions for ultrasound assisted extraction: 80 °C temperature, 70% ethanol, 79.8 min and 20.06 W/L ultrasonic power. The predicted results matched well with the experimental results obtained using optimal extraction conditions which validated the RSM model with a good correlation.

We have developed the CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot as a platform for executing complex tasks in dangerous, degraded, human‐engineered environments. CHIMP has a near‐human form factor, work‐envelope, strength, and dexterity to work effectively in these environments. It avoids the need for complex control by maintaining static rather than dynamic stability. Utilizing various sensors embedded in the robot's head, CHIMP generates full three‐dimensional representations of its environment and transmits these models to a human operator to achieve latency‐free situational awareness. This awareness is used to visualize the robot within its environment and preview candidate free‐space motions. Operators using CHIMP are able to select between task, workspace, and joint space control modes to trade between speed and generality. Thus, they are able to perform remote tasks quickly, confidently, and reliably, due to the overall design of the robot and software. CHIMP's hardware was designed, built, and tested over 15 months leading up to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. The software was developed in parallel using surrogate hardware and simulation tools. Over a six‐week span prior to the DRC Trials, the software was ported to the robot, the system was debugged, and the tasks were practiced continuously. Given the aggressive schedule leading to the DRC Trials, development of CHIMP focused primarily on manipulation tasks. Nonetheless, our team finished 3rd out of 16. With an upcoming year to develop new software for CHIMP, we look forward to improving the robot's capability and increasing its speed to compete in the DRC Finals.

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Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a fruit species, whose fruits have a high therapeutic value and therefore are used in many countries in traditional medicine. Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis Schneid.) is a lesser used species, although it is a relative of quince. The aim of the study was to evaluate some morphological characters of both kinds of fruit and antioxidant activity of morphological parts of the fruit. For these experiments, two genotypes were used from each species growing in the Arboretum Mlyňany (Slovakia). We determined the antioxidant activity of different parts by the DPPH method. In the genotypes from the evaluated species C. oblonga/P. sinensis we determined the average weight of the fruit in the fresh condition to be in the range 147.61 - 253.27 g / 197.85 - 466.38 g, the exocarp weight 28.50 - 43.89 g / 24.85 - 45.10 g, the mesocarp weight 116.36 - 204.99 g / 160.30 - 389.80 g, the seed weight 1.05 - 1.54 g / 9.22 - 17.42 g, the height of fruit 74.09 - 80.88 mm / 98.06 - 124.48 mm, average of fruit 60.11 - 81.51 mm / 62.33 - 88.64 mm. In aqueous extracts we determined antioxidant activity of the species C. oblonga / P. sinensis in dry exocarp in the range 43.52 - 67.73% / 52.76 - 82.20%, in fresh mesocarp 7.36 -14.78% / 15.30 - 23.50%, in dry mesocarp 30.92 - 41.30% / 41.68 - 50.15% and dry endocarp 55.19 - 76.44% / 91.20 - 92.72%. We determined antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts of the species C. oblonga / P. sinensis in dry exocarp in the range 93.29 - 93.32% / 91.87 - 93.25%, in fresh mesocarp 10.29 - 36.0% / 17.10 - 17.11%, in dry mesocarp 54.55 - 74.11% / 80.39 - 84.11% and in dry endocarp 95.14 - 95.39% / 94.97 - 95.62%. Results document that the fruits of both species can be practically used in the preparation of many dishes, while they can be used as raw material for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.

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Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most valuable plants in the world because it contains important substances with protective and healing effects on human health. Its health-promoting effects have been already known in ancient Egypt, China, Greece and also the Romans used it. Many studies have shown that garlic can help from colds, coughs, flu, pulmonary diseases, clean blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, antimutagenic and antioxidant properties. Garlic contains antioxidant that support the body´s defence mechanism against oxidative damage. The physiological effect of garlic can be affected by sulphur-containing compounds as well as other biologically active compounds such as polyphenols (mainly flavonoids), minerals (Ca, Fe, I, K, Mg, Na, Zn) and vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C). The main sulphur compound in garlic is alliin, converted to allicin by the enzyme alliinase, which results in a characteristic garlic aroma and taste.

Sixteen ethanolic extracts were obtained from seven different bee bread samples. The total flavonoid content in the extracts was determined by aluminium-chloride method and was in the range of 8.3 mg/L ± 6.24% to 195.3 mg/L ± 1.35% and 28.8 mg/L ± 19.33% to 603.3 mg/L ± 4.64% with reference to quercetin and rutin, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for parallel measurements for the calibration curves of quercetin dehydrate and rutin trihydrate were in the range of 0.51% to 9.39% and 5.02% to 19.91%, respectively. The RSD for parallel measurements for the extracts with reference to quercetin dihydrate and rutin trihydrate were in the range of 0.23% to 11.64% and 4.64% to 19.33%, respectively. The total flavonoid content mainly depended on a ratio of bee bread to 50% ethanol and technology of obtaining bee bread (presence or absence of drying operation). The increase of bee bread in the solvent in 2 times yield an elevation of the total flavonoid content in approximately 1.5 times at similar maceration time (7 days). The significant differences between results were statistically confirmed. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated with disc diffusion method. The best antibacterial activity of the bee bread extracts was found against Bacillus cereus CCM 2010, Clostridium perfringens CCM 4435, and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus CCM 4223. The activity of the bee bread extracts against Gram-negative bacteria, Aspergillus and Penicillium genera was lower with moderate anticandidal activity. The obtained results indicated that it was very important to employ extracts with a high content of bee bread in 50% ethanol (1 : 5, 1 : 10) during the development of bee bread extracts with the purpose of their potential usage in medical practice. According to the results of this study, bee bread is a product which is rich in flavonoids and with good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and can be considered as a raw material for the development of diet supplements and antimicrobial medicinal products.