Natural and commercial Salix clones differ in their ecophysiological response to Zn stress This study was carried out to determine the effect of different zinc concentrations on the ecophysiological response of Salix clones: four commercial clones (“1962”, “1968”, “Drago”, and “Levante”) selected for short rotation coppice, and one natural clone, “Sacco”, obtained from a contaminated area. Gas exchanges, chlorophyll a fluorescence (JIP-test), relative chlorophyll content, and biometric parameters were measured in plants grown for fifteen days in soil containing Zn concentrations of 0, 300, 750, and 1,500 mg(ZnCl2) kg-1. Ecophysiological response to metal stress differed in dependence on the Zn concentration and clone. At the low Zn concentration (300 mg kg-1), the absence of any significant reductions in parameters investigated indicated an efficient plant homeostasis to maintain the metal content within phytotoxic limits. Stomatal limitation, observed at 750 and 1,500 mg kg-1, which was found in all clones after three days of the treatment, might be caused by indirect effects of metal on guard cells. Among commercial clones, “Drago” was more sensitive to Zn stress, showing inhibition of growth, while “1962” clone showed a downregulation of PSII photochemistry following the slowdown in the Calvin-Benson cycle. On the contrary, the natural Salix clone (“Sacco”) performed better compared to the other clones due to activation of a photosynthetic compensatory mechanism., A. Bernardini, E. Salvatori, S. Di Re, L. Fusaro, G. Nervo, F. Manes., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The natural diet of two different common carp (Cyprinus carpio) phenotypes (mirror and scaly) was studied in earth ponds in the Czech Republic. The proportion of different items was assessed through analysis of gut contents in order to establish differences and similarities between the phenotypes. In addition, temporal changes through the growing season, the influence of fish weight on proportion of main items ingested and the relationship between gut content and natural food availability was also assessed. The results showed no difference in feeding behaviour between mirror and scaly carp, the two phenotypes displaying a diet overlap of around 0.8.
A shift in food resources from benthic to planktonic organisms was observed between early and late summer, which was reflected in changes in electivity index for some taxa. Fish weight did not influence the proportion of organisms ingested. No correlation was found between natural food in the pond and that in the gut, any variation in diet probably reflecting the microhabitats in which individual carp choose to feed.
We investigated the genotypes of Cryptosporidium infecting red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in two areas of the Western Alps in Italy. Examination of 141 faecal samples from 70 red squirrels revealed oocysts of Cryptosporidium in 17 animals (24.3%). Based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing, two genotypes of Cryptosporidium species were found: 15 squirrels were positive for the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype and 2 for the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I. The occurrence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection did not differ between the study areas or sex. More than 85% of the positive animals were adults; however no difference was found between Cryptosporidium infection in the juvenile and adult age groups. Oocysts of the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype measured 5.5 ± 0.3 × 5.2 ± 0.2 µm (shape index 1.06) and the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I 5.8 ± 0.3 × 5.4 ± 0.3 µm (shape index 1.07). Neonatal and adult CD1 and BABL/c mice inoculated with 1 × 103 fresh oocysts of both genotypes did not produce detectable infection.
Natural occurrence of C4 species, life form, altitude pattern, and infection by the Three Gorges Project (TGP) were studied in the TGP region. 76 species (about 2.5 % of the total 2 685 vascular plant species in the region), in 6 families and 42 genera, were identified with C4 photosynthesis. 91 % of these C4 species belong to Monocotyledoneae, e.g. Cyperaceae (14 species), Gramineae (54 species), and Commelinaceae (1 species). Of these C4 species, Gramineae was the leading C4 family: 54 C4 grass species (71 % of the total C4 species), about 36 % of the total grasses, were identified in the TGP region. 98 % C4 species was found in therophyte (55 %) and hemicryptophyte (43 %). This is consistent with high grass and sedge compositions in the region. Most habitats of more than a half of these C4 species (65 %) will be submerged permanently, but no species will be endangered or extinct, because 95 % C4 species can be found from 500 to 800 m above sea level. The abundance of some C4 species will be dropped due to the reduction of distribution scope. It will take a long-term to explore the effects of the TGP on plants, vegetation, and environment.
Cardiovascular disease, while rare in women of reproductive age, is the main cause of mortality in menopause. The purpose of our study was to determine the association of natural menopause with cardiovascular risk factors, including their clustering into metabolic syndrome (MS). A random 5 % representative population sample of women aged 45-54 years was examined. In 575 women, we were able to determine their natural reproductive aging status. Multiple regression analysis was used to calculate the association between age, menopausal status, and risk factors under study. After adjustment for age, there was an increase in the odds ratio of developing MS, as defined by NCEP (OR=2.0; 95 % CI [1.1; 3.7]), and an increase in plasma lipid ratios (total cholesterol/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, apolipoprotein-B/ apolipoprotein-A1; p<0.05 for all) in postmenopausal women. Age, but not menopausal status, was associated with some single components of MS; only waist circumference significantly increased after menopause, independently of age. Clustering of risk factors in MS and lipid ratios (combined factors) was strongly associated with menopause whereas worsening of single components of MS was strongly associated with age. In conclusion, based on our results, the menopause may pose a risk to women through clustering of cardiovascular risk factors beyond simple aging., M. Lejsková ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The aim of the paper is to present the results of measurements of 40K, 208Tl, 212Pb, 214Pb, 214Bi and 228Ac activity concentrations of selected rocks co llected from the contact zone of the Karkonosze massif with the Szklarska Poręba schist-belt. Activity concentrations were obtained using a gamma-ray spectrometry system. Determined activity concentrations of 40K and nuclides from 238U and 232Th series in measured samples were compared with average activity concentrations of these radionuclides in the continental crust and in the soil and with data concerning investigated area available in the selected literature. In all rock samples very high activity concentrations associated with decay of 232Th and 238U series were observed. These values twice exceed the average activity concentrations refer to continental crust and are distinctly higher than activity concentrations measured in typical rocks of the Izera block., Aleksandra Bieda and Grzegorz Lizurek., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
The paper describes the results of Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSI) study of Sambia peninsula. The idea of this work was to verify the hypothesis whether any terrain surface deformation that occur in Sambia area, could be interpreted as related to tectonic processes. Moreover, if any movements are detected what is their relationship to the 21 September 2004 earthquake? To answer these questions SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data from European satellites ERS-1 and ERS-2 acquired from 1992 to 2001 were processed with interferometric techniques to archive independent data about terrain surface deformation. The obtained results - 4 sets of PS (Persistent Scatterers) points with calculated movement velocities (mm/yr) according to linear model were compared with published results of terrestrial measurements. The analysis of PS results confirms the occurrence of terrain deformations of tectonic origin of few mm/yr. The distribution of deformation velocities suggest its relationship to the recent activity occurring along two E-W trending seismoactive sub-zones located along Pregola river valley and possibly in the northern coast of Sambia Peninsula., Zbigniew Perski and Marek Mróz., and Obsahuje bibliografii
There is a plethora of naturalisms in contemporary philosophy. Instead of sorting out diverse past or present variants of this philosophical movement this article aims to define in three relatively simple points a version of naturalism that I consider as the most auspicious way for philosophy to remain a relevant and significant force in the domain of knowledge dominated by contemporary science. The tripartite definition of naturalism that is presented deliberately does not claim to be original, but seeks to capture in a concise and clear way the common core of the naturalistic mind frame. The point of the article is to point out the need to reduce internal metaphilosophical disputes within the naturalistic movement in favor of a greater emphasis on the concrete participation of philosophy in current scientific research. The claim is that the real (not only nominal) realization of the naturalistic turn in philosophy necessarily presupposes a change in the process of the education of future philosophers.
In this paper, I discuss a specifi c approach to measuring and comparing the simplicity of theories that is based on Lewis’s notion of fundamental properties. In particular, I discuss the criterion of simplicity as stated by Williams. According to Williams, the best candidate for a theory is the one which has the shortest defi nition in terms of fundamental properties. Th e aim of this paper is to show that the criterion thus specifi ed has two constraints. First, the criterion is not applicable to cases in which candidates for theories that specify fundamental properties are compared. Secondly, the applicability of the criterion in social sciences seems to be unwarranted. and V tomto příspěvku se zabývám specifi ckým přístupem k měření a porovnání jednoduchosti teorií, který je založen na Lewisově pojetí fundamentálních vlastností. Zejména se zabývám kritériem jednoduchosti, jak ho prezentuje Williams. Podle Williamse nejlepší kandidát na teorii je ten, který má nejkratší defi nici z hlediska fundamentálních vlastností. Cílem tohoto příspěvku je ukázat, že takto specifi kované kritérium má dvě omezení. Zaprvé, kritérium není použitelné v případech, kdy porovnáváme kandidáty na teorie, které stanovují fundamentální vlastnosti. Zadruhé, aplikace tohoto kritéria v sociálních vědách se zdá být neopodstatněná.