Origin of rat β-globin haplotypes containing three and five genes

We have reported in rat three adult β-gene haplotypes containing either five or three genes. Detailed sequence analysis reveals that the leftmost gene is the major gene and that at the opposite end downstream lies the minor gene. All of the genes lying between them are minor-major hybrids indicating their origin by unequal crossing-over. In two haplotypes β-globin genes were found with an L1 element inserted directly into IVS2. The described results allow the formulation of a pathway of mutational events leading from the ancient two-β-gene rodent ancestor through a three-gene haplotype to five-gene haplotypes, one of which is postulated to have arisen in common laboratory strains since their capture in the wild.[https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/7/5/407/1061225

Multianalytical Study of the Blue Pigments Usage in Serbian Iconography at the Beginning of the 18th-Century

Traditional Serbian religious art originated in Byzantine culture and conserved Byzantine elements until modern times. However, since the end of the 17th century, many changes in traditional icon painting have been introduced. Previous studies focused on the changes in iconography and style, but very little attention was paid to the changes in painting materials and techniques. This research focuses on the blue pigments on icons from the first half of the 18th century. Eight icons with blue areas of a different hue were selected for the study. Due to its rarity in nature, price, and iconographical importance, the blue pigment was particularly praised by painters. Therefore, the choice of the blue pigment can be related to historical information to trace influences and the development of the painter’s practice. Imaging techniques, several portable, non-destructive analytical techniques, such as XRF and FTIR, followed by optical microscopy and SEM-EDX analysis of the samples were used to characterize blue pigments and the painting technique. An analysis showed that icon painters at the beginning of the 18th century used pigments such as azurite, an indigo-organic colourant of plant origin, and Prussian blue. Contrary to the traditional belief that natural ultramarine blue was used, it was not confirmed in any studied examples

Reconstruction of 3D models of cast sculptures using close-range photogrammetry

This paper presents the possibilities of application of close-range photogrammetry, based on the Structure-from- Motion (SfM) approach, in 3D model’s reconstruction of bronze cast sculptures. Special attention was dedicated to the analysis of image processing strategy, and its impact on the 3D model reconstruction quality. For the purpose of analysis a bust of Nikola Tesla, placed in front of the Faculty of Technical Sciences University of Novi Sad was used. Experimental results indicate that the strategy employing multi-group photo processing provides substantial reductions in processing time while providing satisfactory results in 3D reconstruction

Development of Expert System for the Selection of 3D Digitization Method in Tangible Cultural Heritage

Selection of an appropriate 3D digitization method in the field of cultural heritage represents a big challenge, especially for non-expert users, such as conservators, art historians, archaeologists etc. Considering the above, the aim of this paper is to develop an expert system for the selection of 3D digitization method, which is the tool for suggesting for the most acceptable 3D digitization method for any individual cultural heritage object. The development of the expert system was presented through the analysis of its components, i.e. main modules – user interface, database and knowledge base. This expert system was based on different parameters defined through theoretical-methodological analysis of representative tangible cultural heritage objects. The database contains technical specifications of various 3D digitization methods, devices, and additional equipment available on market, while the knowledge base defines their limitations. The expert selection system requires as input information details about the cultural heritage object and the end user requirements. During the evaluation phase through the case studies, the system proposed satisfactory solutions depending on the entered input data

Archaeometry in Serbia: Where We Are and Where We Should Go Next?

The paper presents a short history of archaeometry investigations in Serbia, from the first published work in 1932 until today. It then describes the most important laboratories and institutions that perform archaeometry investigations in Serbia today, their teams, equipment, projects, and cooperation: Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Faculty of Physical Chemistry, National Museum of Serbia, Institute of Archaeology, the Heritage Lab, Gallery of Matica Srpska Novi Sad, and City Museum of Subotica. The paper describes plans for the future and proposes forming of Serbian Society for Archaeometry with several goals: to further interconnect research disciplines; to facilitate better use and purchase of equipment, to establish a dedicated laboratory for archaeometry; to introduce archaeometry study programs at different levels of teaching; to introduce archaeometry into scientific plans of Serbia; to start a domestic archaeometry journal, and to promote the awareness of the potentials and benefits of archaeometry to institutions dealing with cultural heritage and to the general public

Identification of procollagen mRNAs transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper from formaldehyde agarose gels.

Poly A containing RNA isolated from embryonic chick calvaria was transferred from 6% formaldehyde 0.75% agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper and the paper then hybridized to either nick translated pro alpha 1 collagen cDNA clones, pCg1 or pCg54, or to the nick translated pro alpha 2 collagen cDNA clone, pCg45. From the mobilities of the bands hybridizing most strongly to each, pro alpha 2 collagen mRNA was shown to be slightly larger than pro alpha 1 mRNA; they are 5100 and 4900 nucleotides long respectively. pCg54 also hybridized weakly to two bands of lower mobility, corresponding to RNAs 6.4 and 5.6 kb long. Neither pCg54 nor pCg45 hybridized to type II procollagen mRNA in poly A containing RNA isolated from embryonic chick sterna

A pool of nonpolysomal globin mRNAs in globin deficient reticulocytes of the anemic Belgrade rat

In anemia of the Belgrade rat ( b b) reticulocytes contain less than half of the normal amount of mRNA for seven adult rat globin chains. cDNA hybridization measurements of the relative sizes of polysomal and nonpolysomal pools of globin mRNAs in these cells show that 45% of all globin mRNA molecules are not used at any given time in protein synthesis. This implies a translational control which ensures a production of globin chains in a correct ratio despite a severe mRNA unbalance