Identifying patterns with sufficient predictive power is a constant challenge for ecologists to address ecological problems related to species conservation, pollution or infectious disease control. During the last years, the amounts of parasitological studies in this sense increased, but they are still scarce in urban environments. The main aim of this study was to investigate if the helminth communities of urban rodents are structured within host assembly (compound community) or they are a result of random events occurring at each individual host scale (infracommunity). A total of 203 rodents belonging to four species, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus), Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout), Mus musculus Linnaeus and the native Oligoryzomys flavescens (Waterhouse) and captured in different landscape units of the City of Buenos Aires (industrial-residential neighbourhoods, shantytowns and parklands) were analysed. The results showed that infracommunities could be grouped according to composition and relative abundances and that they respond to the structure of the host community. Thus, the component communities defined in this study could be identified as subsets of the compound community (rodent assemblage) and infracommunities (each host) as random samples within each one. Quantitative differences among component communities were denoted by comparing the infection levels of helminths described as central species. Therefore, infracommunities of R. norvegicus and O. flavescens were the most predictable because of the high abundance of the nematodes Heterakis spumosa Schneider, 1866 and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Travassos, 1914), and Stilestrongylus flavescens (Sutton et Durette-Desset, 1991), respectively. Several mechanisms contribute to complexity of the structure of parasite communities, where specific parasites, definitive and intermediate hosts, and environmental and anthropogenic factors all play a role in the dynamics of the compound community., Diego Hancke, Olga Virginia Suárez., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The oxidizing side of photosystem 2 (PS2) contains a set of unique redox components including two tyrosine radicals, Tyr2 and Tyrp, and a cluster of 4 Mn atoms that are involved in the oxidation of water to molecular oxygen. The structural environment of these components is unknown; we ušed computer-assisted modelling to create a three-dimensional model for the structure around Tyr^ and Tyrj). The tyrosines are predicted to be located in hydrophobic cavities in the Dl and D2 reaction centre proteins, respectively. The cavities are situated close to the lumenal surface of the thylakoid membrane and are surrounded mainly by highly conserved amino acid residues. Both tyrosines are proposed to be hydrogen-bonded to the nearby histidine residues Hisl90 on respective protein. We tested the model by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of Tyr^ and site-directed mutagenesis of the D2 protein in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. In two mutants, where the corresponding histidine is changed to a tyrosine or a leucine, the normál EPR spectra from Tyr^ were drastically altered to narrow structureless radical signals with g-values similar to that of Tyrp (g » 2.0050). The new spectra were assigned to Tyrp from functional experiments and the spectral modification indicated that the introduced point-mutation of His 190 (D2-Hisl89 in Synechocystis 6803) modified the environment around Tyr^ supporting the structural model. In a third mutant where Glnl65 (D2-Glnl64 in Synechocystis 6803) was exchanged to a leucine we also observed a modified EPR spectrum consistent with the predictions firom the model. AU the experimental data obtained strengthen the Computer derived model in essential aspects. We also predicted a possible location for the Mn-cluster to the loop that connects the membrane spanning helices A and B on the Dl protein. In addition the structural model suggests the presence of a metal-site, possibly a Mn site, close to Tyrz on the Dl protein. The site is proposed to be constituted of three residues on the Dl protein, Glnl65, Aspl70 and Glul89.
Phoridae (scuttle flies) are widely distributed, occur in many types of habitats and are ecologically versatile, which makes them an excellent bioindicator group for evaluating faunal diversity. The structure of scuttle fly communities was compared in two Mediterranean habitats in the Montseny Natural Park (Catalonia, Spain) that differ in vegetation and microclimate: beech forest and highland scrubland. 3684 male individuals belonging to 135 species of scuttle flies were identified. Scuttle flies were more abundant in beech forest than scrubland. Observed and estimated species richness were lower in scrubland than in beech forest, while diversity was similar in both habitats. Community evenness was greater in scrubland than beech forest. Therefore, the percentage of dominant and subdominant species was higher in scrubland than beech forest, while the percentage of rare species was higher in beech forest than scrubland. Scuttle fly species composition was significantly different in the two habitats, but it was similar among plots within the same habitat. Megaselia pectoralis (Wood, 1910) and Megaselia subpleuralis (Wood, 1909) were the dominant species in beech forest, while Megaselia pusilla (Meigen, 1830), Megaselia pumila (Meigen, 1830), Megaselia superciliata (Wood, 1910) and Megaselia diversa (Wood, 1909) were the dominant species in scrubland. Trophic specialization was higher in beech forest than scrubland. Saprophages were the dominant trophic group in beech forest, while fungivores and polyphages were dominant in scrubland. The high biodiversity of scuttle flies recorded in the Montseny Natural Park indicates that there is also a high diversity of other taxa there and that these Mediterranean mountains are of high conservation status., Carlos García-Romera, José A. Barrientos., and Obsahuje bibliografii
NMDA receptors have received much attention over the last few decades, due to their role in many types of neural plasticity on the one hand, and their involvement in excitotoxicity on the other hand. There is great interest in developing clinically relevant NMDA receptor antagonists that would block excitotoxic NMDA receptor activation, without interfering with NMDA receptor function needed for normal synaptic transmission and plasticity. This review summarizes current understanding of the structure of NMDA receptors and the mechanisms of NMDA receptor activation and modulation, with special attention given to data describing the properties of various types of NMDA receptor inhibition. Our recent analyses point to certain neurosteroids as NMDA receptor inhibitors with desirable properties. Specifically, these compounds show use-dependent but voltage-independent block, that is predicted to preferentially target excessive tonic NMDA receptor activation. Importantly, neurosteroids are also characterized by use-independent unblock, compatible with minimal disruption of normal synaptic transmission. Thus, neurosteroids are a promising class of NMDA receptor modulators that may lead to the development of neuroprotective drugs with optimal therapeutic profiles., V. Vyklicky ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The Chinese writing system is distinguished by a three-level graphic structure. The lowest unit is a stroke, the highest a whole character. The structure unit between these two levels might possess a relatively complicated arrangement which could be analyzed from different points of view. With regard to this possibility, different terms could be used to express the specific approaches. However, the Chinese grammatologists are not quite of one mind in the usage of these terms. The aim of this article is to point out the diversity of possible approaches that could be used while analyzing the complex arrangement of the graphic level between stroke and character. The concepts of Su Peicheng, Wang Ning, Pan Jun and Yang Runlu will be presented. Their attitudes provide a representative sample of the standpoint of modern grammatology., Tereza Slaměníková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Studie má za cíl představit strukturu Hayekova evolucionismu. Argumentace postupuje v několika krocích: (i) Východiskem je historickosystematická expozice způsobu, jakým evoluční teorie ovlivnila Hayekovu filosofii, především s ohledem na periodizaci vývoje jeho myšlení a systematické odlišení explanans a explanandum v rámci jeho teorie vědy. (ii) Dále je rozebírán způsob, jakým Hayek rozvíjí svoji metodologii vědy. V této souvislosti je argumentováno ve prospěch teze, že Hayekovo pojetí metodologického dualismu je důsledkem ovlivnění evoluční teorií. Zároveň je evoluční teorie představena jako nástroj vysvětlení, konkrétně pak tzv. vysvětlení vzorce. (iii) Následně je představeno Hayekovo pojetí společnosti v kontextu kulturní evoluce. Společnost je interpretována jako řád jednání a je kladen důraz na Hayekovo vnímání společnosti jako řádu vyvíjejícího se společně s lidskou myslí. (iv) Na základě těchto předpokladů je v poslední části rozvinuto Hayekovo pojetí mysli. Toto pojetí vychází z konekcionistické pozice. Dále argumentuji proti tradičnímu pohledu na Hayekovu filosofi i jako rozvíjení Kantovy filosofie. Závěr rekapituluje základní body Hayekova evolucionismu., The study aims to introduce the structure of Hayek’s evolutionism and proceeds in the following steps: (i) A historical and systematic exposition of the theory of evolution’s influence on Hayek’s philosophy is the starting point. Emphasis is placed on the timeline of the development of his system of ideas and the systematic differentiation between the explanans and the explanandum in his theory of science. (ii) The way Hayek develops his methodology of science is also analyzed. In relation to this, the thesis that Hayek’s take on methodological dualism is a direct result of the influence of the theory of evolution is affirmed. The theory of evolution is portrayed as a tool of explanation, specifically as a so-called explanation of pattern. (iii) Hayek’s take on society in context of the theory of evolution is presented. Society is interpreted as an order of action with emphasis on Hayek’s assumption that society is an order evolving along with the human mind. (iv) The last part of the text elaborates on Hayek’s perspective on the mind. This theory is rooted in connectionism. I argue against the traditional view of Hayek’s philosophy as an elaboration on Kant’s philosophy. The final summary reviews the fundamental points of Hayek’s evolutionism., and Pavel Doleček.
Ciel'om článku je priblížiť čitatel'ovi niektoré súčasné predstavy o svetle, ktoré vychádzajú z poznatkov fyziky elementárnych častíc. Je pomerne udivujúce, no málokto si vie predstaviť, že aj fotón môže mať vnútornú štruktúru, ktorá je pre neho špecifická do tej miery, ako je špecifická štruktúra protónu., The goal of this paper is to introduce some current views of the nature of light from the elementary particle physics. Often, it is hard to imagine that the photon has a specific structure as for example a proton has. This paper sheds light on the structure of the photon., Dušan Bruncko., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Biological membrane mimetics, such as liposomes, lipid bilayers and model membranes, are used in a broad range of scientific and technological applications due to the unique physical properties of these amphiphilic aggregates. They serve as platforms for studying soft matter physics of membranes and membrane dynamics, interactions of bilayers with drugs, and effects of various additives of environmental changes. State-of-the-art research takes advantage of the combination of the brilliance of X-ray scattering sources with peculiar properties of neutrons and the power of computer simulations. The advances in chemistry, and in particular the possibility of deuteration, enables improved experimental spatial resolution and the ability to pi-point labels within membranes. It is only a matter of time for many biological functions, which occur at the membrane interface, to be matched with the structural properties of these membranes., Článok referuje o zákonitostiach stavby lipidových membrán a ich interakciách s biologicky aktívnymi molekulami. Vplyv iónov nachádzajúcich sa v prirodzenom prostredí bunkovej membrány, anestetický efekt alkánov a účinok cholesterolu a melatonínu pri zabudovaní do membrány je diskutovaný najmä z pohľadu zmeny štruktúry lipidovej matrice membrány. Štruktúrne výsledky sú získané pomocou experimentálnych prístupov, pričom dôraz sa kladie na pokrok dosiahnutý v metódach využívajúcich moderné zdroje röntgenového žiarenia a neutrónov., Norbert Kučerka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The Prison Service of the Czech Republic has been collecting e-data about imprisoned persons and presenting particular descriptive statistics in its annual reports since 1996. However, essential underlying information and complex relations analyses are not worked out in depth. The Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention offers particular narrowly focused analysis, but has never prepared a comprehensive description based on Czech prison data and models derived from it. As the country is about to prepare a prison service reform, complex statistical and microeconomic models are required. One of the reasons why advanced modelling could not be conducted was the absence of an appropriately adapted dataset. This article describes the steps from a dataset provided by the Prison Service of the Czech Republic to a fi nal database which allows performing advanced analyses. The aim of this paper is also to describe the properties of the database and to report the total number and structure of cases of imprisonment in the CR between 1996 and 2012., Maria Králová, Laura Fónadová., and Obsahuje bibliografii