The radial velocities of star forming regions and young open star clusters from our galaxy are investigated statistically. We use the cubic, plane approximation of a general veloclty fleld and conclude that with all objects from our sample, which reside withln 10 kpc from the Sun, the veloclty field is close to clrcular. However, the young objects from the local spiral arm deviate. This deviatlon is dlfferent from that caused by the llnear denslty wave or by the collislonless expansion from a small region. We propose that the velocities of young local objects may be Interpreted as a consequence of a large scale multl-supernova remnant.
For an ordered set W = {w1, w2, . . . , wk} of k distinct vertices in a nontrivial connected graph G, the metric code of a vertex v of G with respect to W is the k-vector code(v) = (d(v, w1), d(v, w2), . . . , d(v, wk)) where d(v, wi) is the distance between v and wi for 1 6 i 6 k. The set W is a local metric set of G if code(u) 6= code(v) for every pair u, v of adjacent vertices of G. The minimum positive integer k for which G has a local metric k-set is the local metric dimension lmd(G) of G. A local metric set of G of cardinality lmd(G) is a local metric basis of G. We characterize all nontrivial connected graphs of order n having local metric dimension 1, n − 2, or n − 1 and establish sharp bounds for the local metric dimension of a graph in terms of well-known graphical parameters. Several realization results are presented along with other results on the number of local metric bases of a connected graph.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is now being used more frequently in carefully selected cases of malignancies. The drugs used for PDT are mostly derivatives of haematoporphyrine (HPD) and its active component photofrine II. Another compound prepared by total synthesis is meso-tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine (TPPS4) but its application in human medicine was rejected because of its neurotoxicity. Our TPPS4 was prepared by the method of Busby et al. in the modification of Jirsa and Kakaë (1987). This product is purer and without neurotoxic effects. In this study, we concentrated our attention on the effect of TPPS4 on nephrotoxicity and its accumulation in some organs. As the parameters of toxic kidney damage we used urine levels of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), serum creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and proteinuria. TPPS4 was administered i.v. in a dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. The animals were observed for 21 days after drug application. Urine and blood samples were collected over 24-hour periods on days 0, 5 and 21. The serum creatinine level was significantly higher only on day 5 (65.0±1.46 /zmol/1 vs 56.5±2.69 ^mol/1 on day 0, p<0.05). There were no significant changes in GFR, proteinuria or NAG activity in the urine during the experiment. AST serum activity was increased. We determined the concentration of TPPS4 (pmol/mg w.w.) in rat organs on the 21st day after the injection. The concentration of TPPS4 was high in kidneys (30.8 ±5.5), liver (13.5 ±2.0), lungs (11.7 ±4.6) and spleen (9.7 ±1.5), while the concentration in heart and brain was low. We conclude that TPPS4 has the highest concentration in the kidney 21 days after its administration and does not exert any nephrotoxic effects during this period.
The present article tackles the subject of the location of the Central Hall in the Egyptian temples of the Ptolemaic period. According to the texts of the temples, the hall in question was situated between the Sanctuary and the Hall of Offerings. A hall with such a strategic position should have been used by the ancient Egyptians to take advantage of its features. Hence, four temples have been investigated: Edfu, Dendera, Philae and Kom Ombo. However, there were earlier theories concerning the location of the Central Hall and these have to be reconsidered. Recently, with the work conducted by Prof. J. F. Quack on the papyri of the Book of the Temple, there has been an enormous amount of information about the description of the ideal temple and its lay out and, in particular, the location of the Central Hall. Since it is a guidebook for the ideal temple, the information implies that it might have been followed or at least taken into consideration during the planning of the temples.
In the Noctuidae, the owlet moths, the internal genitalia, i.e. the aedeagus and vesica (penis) in the males, and the bursa copulatrix in the females, together form a lock-and-key mechanism (LKM). The species-specific structures have their counterparts in the opposite sex. The internal LKM constitutes a specific reproductive isolation mechanism (lock-and-key hypothesis), which seem to be the rule in the ditrysian Lepidoptera, and also occurs in the Carabidae (Coleoptera) and some other insects. In contrast, the external genitalia rarely have species-specific counterparts in the sexes. Several results indicate the presence of LKMs: In the Noctuidae, (1) heterospecific differences in the male vesica may prevent sperm transfer or lead to mechanical failure during copulation, (2) the more complicated the specific genitalia structures, the more aberrations may occur even in conspecific copulations, and (3) in many species pairs and groups, and in one large genus, Apamea, the structures in the opposite sexes show a strictly specific correspondence, but, (4) when there is precopulatory isolation due to differences in pheromone production or perception, the internal genitalia may be identical. Conversely, in the Colias butterflies (Pieridae), (5) frequent heterospecific hybridization is associated with the similarity of the internal genitalia. The LKMs seem to protect genomes against alien genes, supposedly selected for because of the lower fitness of specimens with an imprecise LKM and/or inferiority of hybrids. In the literature, the diversity of the noctuid genitalia has been ascribed to sexual selection, because the females were classified as polyandrous. Most species produce the main part of their eggs monandrously, and remate, if at all, in their old age, and are thus successively monandrous and polyandrous. The allopatric divergence in the structure of the internal genitalia of 39 Holarctic pairs of sister species of Noctuidae is suggested to be due to genetic drift. The insecure function of the female pheromones and external genitalia of males are illustrated with the aid of original photographs.
The paper deals with a type of whole and part that can be found in Aquinas’ work and to which no attention has been paid so far. This type of whole and part can be called metaphysical whole and metaphysical part, respectively. In the paper, metaphysical whole and part are put forth on the problem of the logical and metaphysical structure of a common nature., Příspěvek pojednává o typu celku a jeho části, které lze nalézt v díle Akvinského a na které dosud nebyla věnována pozornost. Tento typ celku a části lze nazvat metafyzickou celou a metafyzickou částí. V příspěvku jsou metafyzický celek a jeho část uvedeny na téma logické a metafyzické struktury běžné povahy., and David Svoboda
Paussus favieri Fairmaire is one of only two species of the myrmecophilous carabid tribe Paussini known from Europe.
Larvae are known from only 10 of the 580 paussine species. As in many beetles with considerably modified later instar larvae, the
first instars represent a valuable source of informative characters for taxonomy and phylogenetic analyses (primary chaetotaxy, eggbursters, etc.). Therefore, the discovery of the first instar larva of P. favieri is particularly important, as it represents only the second
species for which this larval stage is known. In this paper we describe the behavior and morphology of the larval first instar of P.
favieri (subtribe Paussina of Paussini) and compare it with that of Arthropterus sp. (subtribe Cerapterina), which is the only other 1st
instar described in the Paussini. Most surprisingly, we found that the 1st instar of P. favieri lacks a prostheca, which was previously
thought to be a synapomorphy of Paussina + Platyrhopalina. Rather, P. favieri has a unique mandibular structure that seems to be
functionally analogous to the protheca. It is a long, broadly lanceolate, distinctly flattened structure apparently homologous to the
medial mandibular seta (MN2*), which arises from an area behind the cutting edge of mandible. We predict that the function of the
protheca and this similar structure in P. favieri are involved in a specialized feeding strategy that may include soliciting trophallaxis
from their host ants. We also report some observations of the first instar hatching from the egg, feeding on liquid and a behaviour we
interpret as a “calling behavior,” all of which were videotaped and posted on the Tree of Life Web Project.
The condition of measurement of precipitation from the year 1805 up-to the present time are defined. On the vasis of an analysis of the conditions and by comparison with the neighbouring stations a whole series of annual percipitation is homogenized. The original values in the period 1805-1830 are reduced for 8.7 %, the period 1840-1905 zemains unchanged, the period 1906-1951 is reduced partly for 10 % (Hlaváč), partly for 15 %. For the statement of long-range variability of the annual precipitation the method of double-time integral of precipitation deviations was used. The curves thus gained show a long-range variation having a contraty course regarding the secular curve of solat activity (90-year-rhythm).
The long-range relation of the variability of annual precipitation to the secular solar activity is expounded by the change of circulation (showing the width of the frontal zone). Further a close connection between the course of yearly precipitaton nd Ejgenson´s Index of Recurrency of Sunspots was found, which is evidently applicable for Central-Europe. Immediately after the maximum of Recurrency Index there is a characteristic decrease of precititation, closely following the minimum of Recurrency Index there is remarkable rise. On the ground of extrapolation of the acquired secular curves of precipitation and on the ground of physically justified correlation with long-range solar activity, a prognosis of the course of the annual precipitation up to the year 2000 is defined. At present the long-range course of precipitaton shows the minimum, in the years 1970-1990 the precipitation should reach the secular maximum.
The article examines how different social and urban processes were reflected in the spatial patterns of three dimensions of population structure (demographic, socio-economic, and ethnic statuses) in Prague during the socialist and post-socialist periods. The article has three main objectives. First, it analyses inertia and change in socio-spatial patterns and evaluates the processes that have influenced them. Second, it investigates how the importance of all three statuses in the spatial differentiation of urban space has evolved. Third, the article focuses on the level of geographical variability as recorded within different spatial scales, and the development of this variability. It examines selected indicators of socio-economic, demographic, and ethnic statuses by employing detailed statistical data on the level of basic settlement units from the Population Censuses held in 1970, 1991, and 2011. The results confirm that the most significant changes in socio-spatial patterns between socialism and post-socialism can be observed for ethnic spatial differentiation. In addition, the city witnessed considerable changes in demographic spatial patterns in both periods, while socio-economic spatial patterns have remained relatively stable. New socio-spatial processes driven predominantly by movements of young and better-off populations have taken place in previously less attractive neighbourhoods. As a result, very different populations often live side-by-side in contemporary Prague.
There are only few studies concerning about long-term effect of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy on bone mineral density and bone microstructure. To assess effect of GH replacement therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) in adult GH deficient (AGHD) subjects over period of 10 years. From 2005 to 2018, a prospective study of AGHD patients was conducted in national referral center for treatment of GHD. All patients received subcutaneous recombinant human GH in an IGF-1-normalizing regimen once a day. Lumbar spine (L-spine) and total hip (TH) BMD using Hologic densitometers were measured at baseline and every two years during treatment with rhGH. TBS was derived from L1-L4 DXA using iNsight® software (Medimaps, France) at each time point. Periods of measurement were baseline, year 2; 4; 6; 8 and 10. In total, 63 patients (38 males, 25 females, mean age 25.1±16 years) were included in the study. After 10 years of GH treatment, IGF-1 significantly increased (~35 %), with greatest increase at year 2. During 10-year follow-up, L-spine BMD increased approximately of 7 % (NS). TH BMD increase of 11 % during follow-up (p=0.0003). The greatest increment of BMD was achieved at year 6 on both sites, L-spine (+6 %) and TH BMD (+13 %) (p<0.05). There was no significant change of TBS during whole follow-up. In this study, sustaining positive effect of GH replacement therapy on bone density in subjects with adult GH deficiency over 10 years of follow-up was observed. The study did not show effect on TBS, as indirect measure of trabecular bone microarchitecture., Peter Vaňuga, Martin Kužma, Dáša Stojkovičová, Juraj Smaha, Peter Jackuliak, Zdenko Killinger, Juraj Payer., and Obsahuje bibliografii