Evolving Artificial Neural Networks by Means of Evolutionary Algorithms with L-Systems Based Enconding.

Available from STL Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi

Germination and physiological properties of Frankia spores

Spores from four Frankia strains were isolated and purified to homogeneity. The purified spores were biochemically and physiologically characterized and compared to vegetative cells. Frankia spores exhibited low levels of endogenous respiration that were at least ten-fold lower than the endogenous respiration rate of vegetative cells. The macromolecular content of purified spores and vegetative cells differed. One striking difference among the Frankia spores was their total DNA content. From DAPI staining experiments, only 9% of strain ACN1AG spore population contained DNA. With strains DC12 and EuI1c, 92% and 67% of their spore population contained DNA. The efficiency of spore germination was correlated to the percentage of the spore population containing DNA. These results suggest that the majority of strain ACN1AG spores were immature or nonviable. The presence of a solidifying agent inhibited the initial stages of spore germination, but had no effect once the process had been initiated. The optimal incubation temperature for spore germination was 25°C and 30°C for strains DC12 and EuI1c, respectively. A mild heat shock increased the efficiency of spore germination, while root extracts also stimulated spore germination. These results suggest that strains DC12 and EuI1c may be suitable strains for further germination and genetic studies

Optical and structural properties of ternary nanoaggregates in CsI-PbI2 co-evaporated thin films

Thin films were grown by vacuum co-evaporation of CsI and PbI2 compounds from two independent crucibles. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy revealed formation of CsPbI3 and Cs4PbI6 nanoaggregates in the thin film samples and gave an estimate of their volume percentage as well. It provided also the grain size estimates, which were compared with direct observation of a thin film surface by atomic force microscopy. The absorption, luminescence and decay kinetics characteristics of thin films grown were measured. The optical characteristics of the mentioned ternary nanoaggregates were determined and compared with those of CsPbX3 and Cs4PbX6 (X = Cl, Br) bulk structures

Combined theoretical and computational study of interstrand DNA guanine–guanine cross-linking bytrans-[Pt(pyridine)2] derived from the photoactivated prodrugtrans,trans,trans-[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(pyridine)2]

Molecular modeling and extensive experimental studies are used to study DNA distortions induced by binding platinum(II)-containing fragments derived from cisplatin and a new class of photoactive platinum anticancer drugs. The major photoproduct of the novel platinum(IV) prodrug trans,trans,trans-[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(py)2] (1) contains the trans-{Pt(py)2}2+ moiety. Using a tailored DNA sequence, experimental studies establish the possibility of interstrand binding of trans-{Pt(py)2}2+ (P) to guanine N7 positions on each DNA strand. Ligand field molecular mechanics (LFMM) parameters for Pt–guanine interactions are then derived and validated against a range of experimental structures from the Cambridge Structural Database, published quantum mechanics (QM)/molecular mechanics (MM) structures of model Pt–DNA systems and additional density-functional theory (DFT) studies. Ligand field molecular dynamics (LFMD) simulation protocols are developed and validated using experimentally characterized bifunctional DNA adducts involving both an intra- and an interstrand cross-link of cisplatin. We then turn to the interaction of P with the DNA duplex dodecamer, d(5′-C1C2T3C4T5C6G7T8C9T10C11C12-3′)·d(5′-G13G14A15G16A17C18G19A20G21A22G23G24-3′) which is known to form a monofunctional adduct with cis-{Pt(NH3)2(py)}. P coordinated to G7 and G19 is simulated giving a predicted bend toward the minor groove. This is widened at one end of the platinated site and deepened at the opposite end, while the P–DNA complex exhibits a global bend of 67° and an unwinding of 20°. Such cross-links offer possibilities for specific protein–DNA interactions and suggest possible mechanisms to explain the high potency of this photoactivated complex

Development of new mixed Lux(RE3+)1-xAP:Ce scintillators (RE3+ =Y3+ or Gd3+): Comparison with other Ce-doped or intrinsic scintillation crystals

This paper presents the development of new Ce-doped, fast and high effective-Z mixed Lux(RE3+)1-xAP:Ce crystals. These crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method and good results have been obtained with x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 for Y3+ ions. Relative light yields measured for the Lux(RE3+)1-xAP:Ce crystals are 40% to 75% higher than for BGO and are comparable to the light yield of YAP:Ce crystal. Measured energy resolutions at 662 keV range over 8% to 15.3% FWHM and are close to the energy resolution obtained with a YAP:Ce. Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) measurements above room temperature have also been performed: in accordance with the expected effect of trap states on scintillation efficiency, an anticorrelation between TSL intensity and light yield is found

Vývoj solární střešní tašky s vnitřním chlazením

Tento článek se zabývá vývojem střešní tašky s integrovaným solárním panelem. Tento panel je ochlazován s ohledem na maximalizaci účinnosti. Rozměry tašky jsou podle obecně používané střešní tašky. Plastová solární taška může nahradit běžnou střešní krytinu. Návrh byl ověřen pomocí tepelných simulací a simulací toku v softwaru NX Nastran. Tato řešení FEM byla ověřena měřením na prototypu. Výstupem tohoto výzkumu je prototyp z plastu. Tento materiál byl vybrán z důvodu rychlé a levné výrobyThis paper deals with the development of the roof tile with the integrated solar panel. This panel is cooled down with respect to maximizing of the effectivity. Dimensions of the tile are according generally used roof tile. Plastic solar tile can replace the regular one. The design of the tile was validated by usage of thermal simulations and flow simulations in NX Nastran software. These FEM solutions were validated by the measurement on the prototype. The output of this research is prototype from plastic material. This material was selected because of the fast and cheap production