Концепт «простір» як еталон універсального концепту

У статті узагальнено відомі визначення терміну концепт, виявлено основні ознаки концепту. Розглянуто основні гіпотези щодо існування універсальних концептів та наведено списки універсальних концептів. Доведено, що концепт «простір» є найдавнішим концептом, тому він може розглядатися в якості еталону універсального концепту. (The article summarizes the known definitions of the term concept, reveals main features of the concept. It reviews the basic hypotheses about the existence of the universal concepts and gives lists of the universal concepts. The concept «space» is proved to be the oldest one, so it can be considered as a standard universal concept.

Derivation and numerical comparison of Shakhov and Ellipsoidal Statistical kinetic models for a monoatomic gas mixture

Gas mixtures are important for many practical applications. Extending kinetic model equations of the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) type from a single-species gas to a multi-species gas mixture presents a number of significant challenges. First, obtaining the correct species diffusions, viscous stresses as well as heat conduction in the continuum limit requires a careful design of the collision terms in the kinetic equations. Secondly, the derived model collision terms need to guarantee positivity of the macroscopic fields. In the present work, two new kinetic models are introduced and compared: an approach based on the Shakhov kinetic model and an approach involving an anisotropic Gaussian equilibrium function. The two new models are capable of modelling a binary mixture of monoatomic gases, with updated definitions for the relaxation parameters and target species velocities and temperature. Both methods account for separate species-mean velocity such that the species diffusion and velocity drift are accurately represented. The key contribution of the models is the exact recovery of the Fick, Newton and Fourier laws in the continuum limit, while preserving positive temperature fields and crucial properties of the Boltzmann equation. The profile of a normal shock wave is inspected under various flow conditions to numerically validate the two models. The results show improvement upon comparison with a model, which has two correct transport coefficients, and demonstrate the ability to reliably model inert gas mixtures

CLINICAL TESTING OF «ALBUFAN» AND «GLUCOFAN» - INDICATOR PAPERS FOR PROTEIN AND SUGAR DEMONSTRATION IN THE URINE

No abstract

Kinetic hindrance during the initial oxidation of Pd(100) at ambient pressures

The oxidation of the Pd(100) surface at oxygen pressures in the 10^-6 to 10^3 mbar range and temperatures up to 1000 K has been studied in-situ by surface x-ray diffraction (SXRD). The results provide direct structural information on the phases present in the surface region and on the kinetics of the oxide formation. Depending on the (T,p) environmental conditions we either observe a thin sqrt(5) x sqrt(5) R27 surface oxide or the growth of a rough, poorly ordered bulk oxide film of PdO predominantly with (001) orientation. By either comparison to the surface phase diagram from first-principles atomistic thermodynamics or by explicit time-resolved measurements we identify a strong kinetic hindrance to the bulk oxide formation even at temperatures as high as 675 K.Comment: 4 pages including 4 figures, Related publications can be found at http://www.fhi-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm

Molecular modelling of peptide folding, misfolding and aggregation phenomena

In this thesis we present computer modelling studies that were implemented to investigate protein behavior in various environments causing their folding, unfolding and aggregation. Applications related to two important proteins - insulin and apolipoprotein C-II (ApoC-II) are presented. The use of atomistic simulation methodologies based on empirical force fields has enhanced our understanding of many physical processes governing protein structure and dynamics. However, the force fields used in classical modelling studies are often designed for a particular class of proteins and rely on continuous improvement and validation by comparison of simulations with experimental data. In Chapter 4 we present a comprehensive comparison of five popular force fields for simulation of insulin. The effect of each force field on the conformational evolution and structural properties of the protein is analysed in detail and compared with available experimental data. A fundamental phenomenon in nature is the ability of proteins to fold ab initio to their functional native conformation, also known as their biologically active state. Due to the heterogeneity and dimensionality of the systems involved, it is necessary to employ methodologies capable of accelerating rare events, specifically, configurational changes that involve the crossing of large free energy barriers. In Chapter 5, using the recently developed method BE-META we were able to identify the structural transitions and possible folding pathways of insulin. Another interesting phenomenon is the misfolding of proteins causing their aggregation, that may lead to formation of either amorphous compounds or structures of elongated-unbranched morphology known as amyloid fibrils. The deposition of amyloid fibrils in the human body may cause many debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, thus making this field of research important and urgent. The human plasma protein apoC-II serves important roles in lipid transport, and it has been shown to form amyloid-like aggregates in solution. We have performed computational studies to investigate the effect of mutations, such as Met oxidation and the residue substitutions to hydrophobic Val and hydrophilic Gln, on dynamics of apoC-II(60-70) peptide. The conformation features relevant to the amyloidogenic propensities of the peptide were identified and presented in Chapter 6. The involvement of lipids at the various stages of development of amyloid diseases is becoming more evident in recent research efforts. In particular, micellar and sub-micellar concentrations have showed to have different effect on fibril growth and kinetics of native apoC-II and derived peptides. In Chapter 7 we investigated the influences of phospholipids at various concentrations on the structure of apoC-II(60-70) using MD and umbrella sampling methods. The molecular mechanisms of lipid effects on the peptide conformation and dynamics were identified. In Chapter 8 preliminary results on the structural stability of pre-formed oligomeric composites of apoC-II(60-70) peptide of different sizes and arrangements were also presented. The effects of mutation (oxidised Met, Met60Val and Met60Gln) on the most stable cluster was also investigated. To conclude, several ideas for continuation of research in the protein folding and aggregation field are discussed in the Future Work section of this thesis

A QUANTITATIVE METHOD FOR COPPER DETERMINATION IN THE BLOOD SERUM

No abstract

Drug-based mobilisation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells improves cardiac function post myocardial infarction

There is an unmet need for treatments that prevent the progressive cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are under investigation for cardiac repair; however, culture expansion prior to transplantation is hindering their homing and reparative abilities. Pharmacological mobilisation could be an alternative to MSC transplantation. Here, we report that endogenous MSCs mobilise into the circulation at day 5 post myocardial infarction in male Lewis rats. This mobilisation can be significantly increased by using a combination of the FDA-approved drugs mirabegron (β3-adrenoceptor agonist) and AMD3100 (CXCR4 antagonist). Blinded cardiac magnetic resonance imaging analysis showed the treated group to have increased left ventricular ejection fraction and decreased end systolic volume at 5 weeks post myocardial infarction. The mobilised group had a significant decrease in plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels, a decrease in interstitial fibrosis, and an increase in the border zone blood vessel density. Conditioned medium from blood-derived MSCs supported angiogenesis in vitro, as shown by tube formation and wound healing assays. Our data suggest a novel pharmacological strategy that enhances myocardial infarction-induced MSC mobilisation and improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction

Coastal benthic diversity in the Black and Aegean Seas

Quantitative data pertaining to the composition of macrobenthic communities of soft bottoms along the coastal zones of the Black and Aegean Seas are reviewed. The study area includes one site in the Russian coastal zone, four sites in Ukraine (at depths 3-125 m), four sites in Bulgaria (at depths 12-83 m), and four sites in Greece (at depths 9-90 m). The species variety, population density and community diversity are compared between Seas, among regions and among stations. The fluctuation of these parameters in connection to anthropogenic impact (ranging from open undisturbed sites to those receiving heavy organic and chemical effluent) are discussed. The low species number of benthic fauna in the Black Sea, as opposed to the richness of the Aegean Sea (three times higher) a ratio well established for other marine groups, is not reflected in the overall abundance. Thus, the average population density of benthic organisms may reach 12352 ind per m2 in the Black Sea (Cocketrice sandy bank) while in the Aegean it did not exceed 4,000 ind per m2 (Saronikos Gulf). Community diversity was always lower in the Black Sea than similar sites in the Aegean Sea. Within the various regions examined, the protected areas exhibited the most complex community structure