Quantitative imaging of Rac1 activity in Dictyostelium cells with a fluorescently labelled GTPase-binding domain from DPAKa kinase.

Small Rho GTPases are major regulators of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics in eukaryotic cells. Sophisticated tools used to investigate their activity in living cells include probes based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and photoactivation. However, such methods are of limited use in quickly migrating cells due to a short time available for image acquisition leading to a low signal-to-noise ratio. Attempts to remedy this effect by increasing the intensity of illumination are restricted by photobleaching of probes and the cell photosensitivity. Here we present design and characterization of a new fluorescent probe that selectively binds to active form of Rac1 GTPases, and demonstrate its superior properties for imaging in highly motile Dictyostelium cells. The probe is based on the GTPase-binding domain (GBD) from DPAKa kinase and was selected on the basis of yeast two-hybrid screen, GST pull-down assay and FRET measurements by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. DPAKa(GBD) probe binds specifically to GTP-bound Rac1 at the cell membrane and features a low cytoplasmic background. The main advantage of DPAKa(GBD) in comparison with similar probes is its finely graded intensity distribution along the entire plasma membrane, which enables quantitative measurements of the Rac1 activity in different parts of the membrane. Finally, expression of DPAKa(GBD) induces no adverse effects on cell growth, motility and cytokinesis

Electronic Ceramic Structure within the Voronoi Cells Model and Microstructure Fractals Contacts Surfaces New Frontier Applications

In this study, in order to establish grain shapes of sintered ceramics, new approach on correlation between microstructure and doped BaTiO3 -ceramics properties based, on Voronoi model and mathematical statistics calculations on fractal geometry, has been developed. BaTiO3-ceramics doped with Yb2O3 (from 0.1 to 1.0wt% of Yb) were prepared by using conventional solid state procedure and were sintered from 1320 degrees C to 1380 degrees C for four hours. The microstructure of sintered specimens was investigated by Scanning electron microscope JEOL-SEM-5300. For better and deeper characterization and understanding of the ceramics material microstructure, the methods which include the fractal nature structure, and also Voronoi model and mathematical statistics calculations, are applied. In our research the Voronoi is one specific interface between fractal structure nature and different stochastically contact surfaces, defined by statistical mathematical methods. Also, the Voronoi model practically provided possibility to control the ceramics microstructure fractal nature. Mathematical statistic methods enabled establishing the real model for the prognosis based on correlation: synthesis-structures-properties

Digital Climate Atlas of the Carpathian Region

The main goal of the CARPATCLIM (Climate of the Carpathian Region) project is to construct the gridded climatological database for the region in a daily temporal resolution for the period 1961–2010 by using 0.1° spatial resolution. The solution of this requirement as well as one of the final products of the CARPATCLIM project is a Digital Climate Atlas which is designed as the main entry point for all the gridded data and maps generated during the project, together with metadata for all data sets (original data as well as data created during the project). With respect to the INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community) directive, the Digital Climate Atlas is developed as a rich Web GIS (Geographic Information System) application based on modern Web standards offering all necessary tools for climate data visualization and extraction. Another important product of the CARPATCLIM project is the Metadata Catalog which is designed as a tool for searching of climate metadata by various parameters (i.e. period, variable, region etc.)

Electronic ceramic structure within the Voronoi cells model and microstructure fractals contacts surfaces new frontier applications

In this study, in order to establish grain shapes of sintered ceramics, new approach on correlation between microstructure and doped BaTiO3 -ceramics properties based, on Voronoi model and mathematical statistics calculations on fractal geometry, has been developed. BaTiO3-ceramics doped with Yb2O3 (from 0.1 to 1.0wt% of Yb) were prepared by using conventional solid state procedure and were sintered from 1320°C to 1380°C for four hours. The microstructure of sintered specimens was investigated by Scanning electron microscope JEOL-SEM-5300. For better and deeper characterization and understanding of the ceramics material microstructure, the methods which include the fractal nature structure, and also Voronoi model and mathematical statistics calculations, are applied. In our research the Voronoi is one specific interface between fractal structure nature and different stochastically contact surfaces, defined by statistical mathematical methods. Also, the Voronoi model practically provided possibility to control the ceramics microstructure fractal nature. Mathematical statistic methods enabled establishing the real model for the prognosis based on correlation: synthesis-structures-properties. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172057 i br. III44006

Intergranular properties and structural fractal analysis of batio3-ceramics doped by rare earth additives

Ferroelectric BaTiO3 as one of the most important ceramics materials in electronic, used on wide range of applications, can be modified with various dopant ions. In this paper, the influence of Er2O3, Yb2O3, Ho2O3 and La2O3, on microstructure, microelectronic and dielectric properties of BaTiO3-ceramics has been investigated. The solid solubility of rare-earth ions in the BaTiO3 perovskite structure has been studied by different methods of structural analysis including SEM-JEOL 5300 and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) system. BaTiO3-ceramics doped with 0.01 up to 1 wt% of rare-earth additives were prepared by conventional solid state procedure and sintered from 1320 degrees C to 1380 degrees C for four hours. We also applied the fractal method in microstructure analysis of sintered ceramics, especially as influence on intergranular capacitor and dielectric peoperties of BaTiO3-ceramics. This fractal nature effect has been used for better understanding integrated microelectronics characteristics and circuits

Digital technologies in agriculture

Symposium Objectives The 1st International Symposium on Digital Technologies in Agriculture will enhance the exchange and dissemination of knowledge, experience, ideas and results. The aim is to promote internationalization and friendships among researchers and professionals in all research fields associated with digital technologies in agriculture, with a focus on precision agriculture, agronomist education in digital agriculture, data collection and all the other aspects of digital technologies in agriculture. The key topic of the 1st International Symposium on Digital Technologies in Agriculture is an interdisciplinary application of technologies toward sustainable digital agriculture. Symposium Topics • Data collection • Precision crop production • Decision support systems and models in digital agriculture • Digital technologies in agriculture • Digital agroeconomic and marketing • Agronomist education in digital agricultur