This paper investigates the matrix porosity and related properties of a leucocratic granite from the Krudum Massif, West Bohemia. The required samples were obtained from the 30-year old core of borehole KZ-25 (Material Documentation Depositories). In total, nine sample sets were taken from different depth levels within the borehole ranging from 18 m to 108 m. The hydraulic conductivity of the granite matrix was measured using a pressure cell whilst standard methods were employed to determine the dry density, connected porosity and total porosity. The pore size distribution was analysed using mercury porosimetry. The ultrasonic velo cities were measured using a pulse source and oscilloscope. Dynamic Young’s modulus, dynamic shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio, static Young’ s modulus, uniaxial compressive strength and moisture were determined according to measurements of ultrasonic velocities and deformability in uniaxial compression. The morphology and structure of the pore network was studied using high reso lution scanning electron microscopy. The overall porosity values defined by the different porosimetry methods follow the same trends although the absolute values differ according to the specific method. A logarithmic relationship was found to exist between hydraulic conductivity and porosity within the granite matrix. In addition, a slight depth dependence was noted in the porosity, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, and ultrasonic velocities of the granite matrix. The SEM images have allowed precise mapping and detailed de scription of the pore network., Lucie Nováková, Karel Sosna, Milan Brož, Jan Najser and Petr Novák., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
In the previous paper, a design of the special amplifier, intended for pyroelectric signal measurement, has been presented. [1] This paper presents the results, achieved using this amplifier for the measurements of signal characteristics of pyroelectric sensors in our testing lab. The amplifier is being used for the measurements connected to the solution to the specific tasks i.e.: Development of technology of spatial localization of various infrared sources, testing of infrared sources and their reliability, moistening immunity, signal-noise measurement under different condition etc. and V předcházejícím článku byl předložen návrh speciálního předzesilovače navrženého pro účely měření pyroelektrik. Tento článek předvádí výsledky dosažené za pomoci tohoto zesilovače signálu ze snímačů v naší testovací laboratoři. Zesilovač je používán pro nejrůznější měřicí úlohy, např. pro technologii prostorové lokalizace infračervených zářičů, pro testování infračervených zdrojů záření a jejich spolehlivosti, při testování odolnosti krytu snímače proti navlhání, pro měření snímače za nejrůznějších podmínek atd.
Alloxan and streptozotocin are widely used to induce experimental diabetes in animals. The mechanism of their action in B cells of the pancreas has been intensively investigated and now is quite well understood. The cytotoxic action of both these diabetogenic agents is mediated by reactive oxygen species, however, the source of their generation is different in the case of alloxan and streptozotocin. Alloxan and the product of its reduction, dialuric acid, establish a redox cycle with the formation of superoxide radicals. These radicals undergo dismutation to hydrogen peroxide. Thereafter highly reactive hydroxyl radicals are formed by the Fenton reaction. The action of reactive oxygen species with a simultaneous massive increase in cytosolic calcium concentration causes rapid destruction of B cells. Streptozotocin enters the B cell via a glucose transporter (GLUT2) and causes alkylation of DNA. DNA damage induces activation of poly ADP-ribosylation, a process that is more important for the diabetogenicity of streptozotocin than DNA damage itself. Poly ADP-ribosylation leads to depletion of cellular NAD+ and ATP. Enhanced ATP dephosphorylation after streptozotocin treatment supplies a substrate for xanthine oxidase resulting in the formation of superoxide radicals. Consequently, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals are also generated. Furthermore, streptozotocin liberates toxic amounts of nitric oxide that inhibits aconitase activity and participates in DNA damage. As a result of the streptozotocin action, B cells undergo the destruction by necrosis., T. Szkudelski., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The changes in thermoluminescence (TL) signals induced by short-term ozone exposure of leaves are characterized by a down-shift of the peak-temperature of the TLB-band and an increase of a TL band at 55°C. We investigated the relationship of these changes to photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemistry. The changes were not only detectable in the presence of ozone, but also after irradiation of dark-adapted leaves and after aging of irradiated detached leaf segments. The opposite effect on TL, an up-shift of the peak-temperature of the B-band and the decrease of the intensity of the band at 55°C were found after infiltration of leaves with nigericin, antimycin A, and diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI). Propyl gallate down-shifted the peak-temperature of the B-band. 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone up-shifted the peak-temperature of the B-band and decreased the intensity of the 55°C band. The intensity of the 55°C band did not change significantly in the presence of oxygen in comparison to that in nitrogen atmosphere. It decreased with time of dark adaptation (50% intensity was observed after 3 h of dark adaptation at room temperature), however, it was reactivated to its initial value (at 5 min of dark adaptation) after 1 single-turnover flash. The 55°C band was not significantly changed in the presence of DCMU. Thus the ozone-induced band at 55°C is assigned to charge recombination in PS2. Changes in the electron transport chain at the acceptor side of PS2, probably related to the cyclic electron transport around photosystem 1 and/or chlororespiration, could play an important role in the increase of the 55°C band and the down-shift of the B-band. The changes at the acceptor side indicated by TL can be an ex pression of a physiological regulatory mechanism functional under stress conditions. and J. Skotnica ... [et al.].
The mode of inhibition of endplate currents by four esters of 1,1-dimethyl-3-oxybutyl phosphonic acid with different lipophilicities and molecule lengths were estimated by mathematical modeling based on previous electrophysiological data supplemented by several experiments with rhythmic stimulation. The aim was to discriminate between their receptor and non-receptor effects. It was shown that all esters have a two-component mechanism of depression: inhibition of the receptor open channel and allosteric modulation of the receptorchannel complex. The ratio of both functional components depends on the length and lipophilicity of the esters. Short and less lipophilic esters mostly act as open channel inhibitors and the rate of inhibition substantially depends on the rate of stimulation, i. e. probability of the receptor-channel opening. As the length of the ester radicals and their lipophilicity increased, these compounds were more active as allosteric receptor inhibitors, probably hindering the function of nAChRs from the lipid annulus., E. Pryazhnikov ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Melatonin is a well-known bioactive molecule able to mitigate photooxidative damage caused by excess light. Here we have shown that mutant Arabidopsis lines with disrupted genes for melatonin putative receptor CAND2/PMTR1 and GPA1 encoding the α-subunit of heterotrimeric G-protein were partially insensitive to melatonin treatment under high light stress. They exhibited a higher degree of photodamage due to a significantly decreased photosynthetic activity and diminished expression of chloroplast and nuclear-encoded genes and the corresponding proteins. A possible mechanism for melatonin-dependent regulation of chloroplast genes is associated with a change in the activity of the genes for chloroplast RNA polymerases. We conclude that under high light stress, melatonin may act as a hormone-like signaling molecule via the CAND2/PMTR1-mediated signaling pathway.
A brief description of the methodology of analysis of the electric heart field using electrocardiograms, vectorcardiograms, diagrams of potential maxima/minima and body surface potential maps is presented. The text is focused on the description of different kinds of isopotential and isointegral maps and their diagnostic possibilities. A detailed description of the diagram of potential maxima/minima and its place in diagnostic of different disturbances of the heart muscle and conduction defects is given.
The spatial distribution and coexistence of monogenean dactylogyrids was assessed on the gills of 63 specimens of wild spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner), caught in the Mazatlan Bay, Sinaloa, Mexico. Five species are reported: Euryhaliotrema perezponcei García-Vargas, Fajer-Ávila et Lamothe-Argumedo, 2008, Euryhaliotrematoides sp., Haliotrematoides spinatus Kritsky et Mendoza-Franco, 2009, H. plectridium Kritsky et Mendoza-Franco, 2009, and H. guttati García-Vargas, Fajer-Ávila et Lamothe-Argumedo, 2008. All except E. perezponcei and H. guttati represent new geographical records for the Pacific coast. The most prevalent dactylogyrid species was E. perezponcei (100%), H. plectridium and H. spinatus had >80% prevalence, and H. guttati and Euryhaliotrematoides sp. had the lowest prevalence. The mean abundance of H. plectridium and E. perezponcei was close to 60 parasites/fish, whereas Euryhaliotrematoides sp. and H. guttati had the lowest abundance. The dactylogyrid species exhibited a tendency for attachment to gill arch 2: 25% attachment occurring on gill arch 1, 30% on 2, 27% on 3 and 18% on 4, and showed a significant preference for the central sector of the gill (42%). Haliotrematoides plectridium had a preference for attachment to gill arches 2 and 3 and the central sector. Haliotrematoides spinatus tended to settle on the gill arches 2 and 3 and had a preference for the central sector. Euryhaliotrema perezponcei tended to settle on the gill arches 1 and 2 and the anterior gill sector. Euryhaliotrematoides sp. and H. guttati did not show a preference for any gill arch or sector. The intraspecific aggregation was stronger than the interspecific aggregation, indicating that all the dactylogyrid species on spotted rose snapper were aggregated, and there was no evidence of competition among the species.
Recent studies have demonstrated that some microRNAs (miRNAs) inhibit bone formation by inhibiting the translation of specific genes. Several in vitro studies have suggested that miR - 23a inhibits osteogenic differentiation by suppressing the translation of Runx2, a transcription factor essential for osteoblastogenesis, and of Sa tb2, a member of the special AT-rich binding protein family. In the pr esent study, we used a gain -of-function approach to determine the roles of miR -23a in bone formation and homeostasis in vivo . The miR -23a transgenic (Tg) mice grew normally and their body size and weight were similar to those of wild -type (WT) littermates. Bone structure and morphology were similar in Tg and WT mice. Furthermore, the numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, as well as their activities in bone were similar between Tg and WT mice. Our results indicate that miR -23 has limited roles in bone form ation and maintenance in vivo in mice., J. Park, S. Wada, T. Ushida, T. Akimoto., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A mineralogical study of the weathering crusts rich in P and Mn from the locality Hodušín - Božetice at Milevsko is presented. The locality belongs to the central part of the variegated group of Sušice and Votice in the Moldanubian Unit. From the analytical methods used, the IR-spectroscopy yielded satisfactory results. The main crust components subjected to weathering are apatite (of a CarHap B - dahllite type) and Mn-minerals (massive black psilomelane, the needle-aggregates probably comprise a poorly recrystallized psilomelane). Disintegrated rocks consist of a mixture of clay minerals, calcite and relicts of primary minerals (quartz, K-feldspars, albite, pyroxene and rutile). The origin and the source material of these crusts rich in P and Mn can not be unambiguously determined. Apatites without CL-effects indicate that the weathering crusts have originated in a strongly oxidative environment. Well documented neighbouring occurrences of phosphate minerals in the variegated group of Sušice and Votice are associated with graphitic rocks. Optical and quantitative chemical analyses of the rocks suggest that the source of apatite could possible be calc-silicate rocks (erlans) close to the graphitic rocks. Hypothetically, the metaphosphorite layers in the variegated Moldanubian Unit can also be considered a possible source of phosphorus., M. Brož, M. Kovářová, Z. Losos, M. Linhartová and V. Vávra., and Obsahuje bibliografii