An improved method for the visualization of conductive vessels in Arabidopsis thaliana inflorescence stems

Dye perfusion is commonly used for the identification of conductive elements important for the study of xylem development as well as precise hydraulic estimations. The tiny size of inflorescence stems, the small amount of vessels in close arrangement, and high hydraulic resistivity delimit the use of the method for quantification of the water conductivity of Arabidopsis thaliana, one of the recently most extensively used plant models. Here, we present an extensive adjustment to the method in order to reliably identify individual functional (conductive) vessels. Segments of inflorescence stems were sealed in silicone tubes to prevent damage and perfused with a dye solution. Our results showed that dyes often used for staining functional xylem elements (safranin, fuchsine, toluidine blue) failed with Arabidopsis. In contrast, Fluorescent Brightener 28 dye solution perfused through segments stained secondary cell walls of functional vessels, which were clearly distinguishable in native cross sections. When compared to identification based on the degree of development of secondary cell walls, identification with the help of dye perfusion revealed a significantly lower number of functional vessels and values of theoretical hydraulic conductivity. We found that lignified but not yet functional vessels form a substantial portion of the xylem in apical and basal segments of Arabidopsis and, thus, significantly affect the analyzed functional parameters of xylem. The presented methodology enables reliable identification of individual functional vessels, allowing thus estimations of hydraulic conductivities to be improved, size distributions and vessel diameters to be refined, and data variability generally to be reduced

Soil mineral nitrogen availability was unaffected by elevated atmospheric pCO2 in a four year old field experiment (Swiss FACE)

The effect of elevated (60 Pa) atmospheric carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) and N fertilisation on the availability of mineral N and on N transformation in the soil of a Lolium perenne L. monoculture was investigated in the Swiss FACE (Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment) experiment. The apparent availability of nitrate and ammonium for plants was estimated during a representative, vegetative re-growth period at weekly intervals from the sorption of the minerals to mixed-bed ion-exchange resin bags at a soil depth of 5 cm. N mineralisation was measured using sequential coring and in situ exposure of soil cores in the top 10 cm of the soil before and after the first cut in spring 1997. High amounts of mineral N were bound to the ion exchange resin during the first week of re-growth. This was probably the combined result of the fertiliser application, the weak demand for N by the newly cut sward and presumably high rates of root decay and exudation after cutting the sward. During the first 2 weeks after the application of fertiliser N at the first cut, there was a dramatic reduction in available N; N remained low during the subsequent weeks of re-growth in all treatments. Overall, nitrate was the predominant form of mineral N that bound to the resin for the duration of the experiment. Apparently, there was always more nitrate than ammonium available to the plants in the high N fertilisation treatment for the whole re-growth period. Apparent N availability was affected significantly by elevated pCO2 only in the first week after the cut; under high N fertilisation, elevated pCO2 increased the amount of mineral N that was apparently available to the plants. Elevated pCO2 did not affect apparent net transformation of N, loss of N or uptake of N by plants. The present data are consistent with earlier results and suggest that the amount of N available to plants from soil resources does not generally increase under elevated atmospheric pCO2. Thus, a possible limiting effect of N on primary production could become more stringent under elevated atmospheric pCO2 as the demand of the plant for N increase

Rationalisation of the car roof console assembly in the company AKT - Plastikářská technologie Čechy, spol. s r.o. Jablonec n. N.

katedra: KOM; přílohy: 1 CD; rozsah: 49 s. (41 500 znaků)The thesis deals with car roof console assembly, its improvements, acceleration, and thereby reducing mounting costs and saving labour of employees.Práce se zabývá montáží střešní konzoly, jejím zlepšením, zrychlením a tím snížením nákladů a usnadněním práce zaměstnancům

Sensibilität von Plasmodium vivax gegenüber Klasse-2- Blutschizontoziden und Artemisinin

Diese in vitro Studie über die Arzneimittelempfindlichkeit von Plasmodium vivax im Nordwesten Thailands wurde 2009/2010 in Wien anhand von Material aus Mae Sot durchgeführt. Insgesamt wurden 46 Patientenproben erfolgreich auf ihre in vitro Sensibilität gegenüber den Präparaten Artemisinin, Atovaquon und Desbutyl- Benflumentol getestet. Dies wurde mittels des speziell für Plasmodium vivax entwickelten Testverfahrens von Tasanor et al. (2002) durchgeführt. Für Artemisinin wurden von Herrn Prof. Wernsdorfer Vergleichsdaten aus dem Jahr 2004 zu Verfügung gestellt. Beim Vergleich der Parameter der beiden Jahre zeigte sich, dass die IC50 und IC90 Werte für die getesteten Präparate von 2004 höher lagen, jedoch lag der IC99 Wert von 2007 höher als jener von 2004. Die Verringerung der Artemisininempfindlichkeit drückt sich auch in der Abflachung der Regressionsgeraden auf. Dies weist auf eine Verschlechterung der Sensibilität gegenüber Artemisinin hin. Die Korrelation mit den anderen Medikamenten zeigt bei den log-transformierten Messdaten Signifikanz zwischen der Aktivität von Artemisinin und den Medikamenten Atovaquon und Desbutyl- Benflumentol. Der Korrelationskoeffizient der IC50 Werte lag für die log-transformierten Daten für Artemisinin und Atovaquon knapp unter der Signifikanzgrenze.Für Artemisinin und Desbutyl-Benflumetol lag er weit unter der Signifikanzgrenze. ebenso bei Artemisinin und Desbutyl-Benflumentol, während die Ergebnisse für Atovaquon und Desbutyl-Benflumetol signifikant korrelierten, Mit den log-transformierten IC90 und IC99 Werten lagen die Korrelationskoeffizienten sämtlicher Vergleiche zwischen Artemisinin, Atovaquon und Desbutyl-Benflumetol über der Signifikanzgrenze (p < 0,05). Zwischen den drei getesteten Medikamenten liegt keine enge strukturelle Verwandtschaft vor, doch gelten Atovaquon und Desbutyl-Benflumetol als Klasse-2 Blutschizontozide und Artemisinin hat Wirkungskorrelation mit anderen Klasse-2 Blutschizontoziden. Daher sind diese Ergebnisse möglicherweise auf eine ähnliche Wirkungsweise zurückzuführen. Es könnte auch ein Indiz dafür sein, dass man mit Kreuzresistenzen bei Artemisinin rechnen muss. Auf molarer Basis lag der Mittelwert der IC50 für Artemisinin zwischen jenen der beiden anderen getesteten Medikamente, die IC90 und IC99 Werte für Artemisinin waren jedoch die geringsten. Am höchsten waren die IC-Werte für Atovaquon. Der Steigungsindex der Regressionsgeraden liegt für Artemisinin und Atovaquon bei 13,0010 und 13,3346, diese Werte sind sehr ähnlich. Bei Desbutyl- Benflumentol liegt er nur wenig höher, bei einem Wert von 15,6717. Auch der Grad der Steigung (b) ist bei allen drei Medikamenten in etwa gleich, was zu ähnlich steilen Regressionsgerade führt.This in vitro response study of Plasmodium vivax to artemisinine, atovaquone and desbutyl-benflumentol was performed in Vienna with material from the malaria clinic in Mae Sot (Thailand). In total, 46 isolates were successfully tested. The sensitivity pattern shows a log-concentration normal distribution for all three drugs. The study indicates a significant activity correlation between artemisinin and the two other drugs at the IC-90 and IC-99 of the log-transformed results. The significant correlation suggests similarities in the mechanism of action between these drugs, and the possibility of multi-drug resistance in the future. Comparison between the results for artemisinin from the year 2004 and 2007 shows a reduction in drug sensitivity. This also may also indicate the development of manifest resistance against artemisinin in the not too distant future. The correlation of between the activities of atovaquone and desbutyl- benflumentol was highly significant even for the non-transformed results. The higher-level ICs for artemisinin are lower than the ICs of the two other drugs which show that P. vivax is, on a mol/mol basis, more sensitive to artemisinin than to the two other compounds

Planar Cayley graph

Title: Planar Cayley graph Author: Gloser David Department: Department of Algebra Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Pavel Růžička, Ph.D., Department of Algebra Abstract: In 1896, H. Maschke published an article on planar Cayley graphs, which connects group theory and graph theory. These graphs reveal the internal properties of groups. The aim of this bachelor's thesis is to expand Maschke's original article by providing a broader context and offering a more detailed perspective on the issue of planar Cayley graphs. This thesis provides proofs for theorems that were not proven in the original article but whose statements are used within it, as well as new theorems and their proofs that are necessary for the proper functioning of the original article. The thesis also includes specific examples of groups that generate planar Cayley graphs and the original illustrations of these drawings. Keywords: planar graph, Cayley graph, groupNázev práce: Rovinný Cayleyho graf Autor: Gloser David Katedra: Katedra algebry Vedoucí bakalářské práce: doc. Mgr. Pavel Růžička, Ph.D., Katedra algebry Abstrakt: V roce 1896 publikoval H. Maschke článek o rovinných Cayleyho grafech, který propojuje teorii grup a teorii grafů. Z těchto grafů lze vyčíst vnitřní vlastnosti grup. Cílem této bakalářské práce je rozšířit Maschkeho původní článek o širší kontext a poskytnout podrobnější pohled na problematiku rovinných Cayleyho grafů. Tato práce přináší důkazy k větám, které v původním článku nebyly dokázány, ale jejichž tvrzení jsou v článku použita, a rovněž nové věty a jejich důkazy, které jsou nezbytné pro správnou funkčnost původního článku. Součástí práce jsou také konkrétní příklady grup, které generují rovinné Cayleyho grafy, a původní ilustrace těchto nakreslení. Klíčová slova: rovinný graf, Cayleyho graf, grupaDepartment of AlgebraKatedra algebryFaculty of Mathematics and PhysicsMatematicko-fyzikální fakult

Development of a Serious Game in Construction Logistics Considering Digital and Lean Tools

All construction projects require well-organized logistics processes to ensure progress within budget and time. However, these processes are often decentralized and inefficient, leading to waste, high costs and delays. Business games have proven effective in raising awareness of the importance of construction logistics and disseminating optimization concepts. Based on a systematic literature review of digital tools in construction logistics and a user-oriented approach, a serious game was developed in an iterative process to highlight the benefits of these tools and the relevance of logistics. Designed for 10–17 participants over 2.5 hours, the game introduces principles like Pull, Kanban, Just-in-Time, and the Supermarket concept for pre-positioned storage near construction sites. The game also incorporates a digital delivery bill, enabling continuous tracking via QR codes and partially automated evaluations of delivery times and progress. To evaluate the developed serious game, feedback was collected from the participants through questionnaires and expert interviews. This interactive approach demonstrates the value of digital tools and fosters understanding of efficient construction logistics practices. The target group consists of students and professionals, who should understand the effects of the use of lean construction and digital tools in the field of construction logistics

Early Changes in Nitrate Uptake and Assimilation Under Drought in Relation to Transpiration

Soil drying combined with nitrogen (N) deficiency poses a grave threat to agricultural crop production. The rate at which nitrate (NO3−) is taken up depends partly on the uptake and transpiration of water. Rapid changes in nitrate assimilation, in contrast to other N forms, may serve as a component of the plant stress response to drought because nitrate assimilation may lead to changes in xylem pH. The modulation of xylem sap pH may be relevant for stomata regulation via the delivery of abscisic acid (ABA) to guard cells. In several factorial experiments, we investigated the interactions between nitrate and water availability on nitrate fate in the plant, as well as their possible implications for the early drought-stress response. We monitored the short-term response (2–6 days) of nitrate in biomass, transport to shoot and reduction in Pisum sativum, Hordeum vulgare, Vicia faba, and Nicotiana tabacum and correlated this with sap pH and transpiration rates (TRs). Cultivation on inorganic substrate ensured control over nutrient and water supply and prevented nodulation in legume species. NO3− content in biomass decreased in most of the species under drought indicating significant decline in NO3− uptake. Hordeum vulgare had the highest NO3− concentrations in all organs even under drought and low NO3− treatment. This species can likely respond much better to the combined adverse effects of low NO3− and water scarcity. Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was reduced in both roots and leaves of water deficient (WD) plants in all species except H. vulgare, presumably due to its high NO3− contents. Further, transient reduction in NO3− availability had no effect on sap pH. Therefore, it seems unlikely that NRA shifts from shoot root leading to the supposed alkalization of sap. We also did not observe any interactive effects of NO3− and water deficiency on transpiration. Hence, as long as leaf NO3− content remains stable, NO3− availability in soil is not linked to short-term modulation of transpiration.Peer Reviewe

Ubiquitin-derived artificial binding proteins targeting oncofetal fibronectin reveal scaffold plasticity by β-strand slippage

Affilin proteins, artificial binding proteins based on the ubiquitin scaffold, have been generated by directed protein evolution to yield de-novo variants that bind the extra-domain B (EDB) of oncofetal fibronectin, an established marker of tumor neovasculature. The crystal structures of two EDB-specific Affilin variants reveal a striking structural plasticity of the ubiquitin scaffold, characterised by β-strand slippage, leading to different negative register shifts of the β5 strands. This process recruits amino acid residues from β5 towards the N-terminus to an adjacent loop region and subsequent residues into β5, respectively, remodeling the binding interface and leading to target specificity and affinity. Protein backbone alterations resulting from β-strand register shifts, as seen in the ubiquitin fold, can pose additional challenges to protein engineering as structural evidence of these events is still limited and they are difficult to predict. However, they can surface under the selection pressure of directed evolution and suggest that backbone plasticity allowing β-strand slippages can increase structural diversity, enhancing the evolutionary potential of a protein scaffold