Investigation of genetic diversity and polyandry of Leptinotarsa decemlineata using X-linked microsatellite markers

A panel of X-linked microsatellite markers was newly designed using the data from a previous sequencing project available in NCBI and used for a study of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata) X-haplotype variability. The analysis of scaffolds 49 and 61 (newly identified as fragments of CPB chromosome X) found ten high-quality markers, which were arranged in two PCR multiplexes and evaluated in both 420 CPB adults, collected from 14 localities of Czechia and Slovakia, and 866 larvae from five single-female families from two more Czech localities. Length polymorphisms found in 6 loci have predicted 192 potential X-haplotypes, however, only 36 combinations were detected in the adult males (N = 189), and seven additional ones in the larvae. The X-haplotypes were also generally unevenly distributed; five of the most frequent haplotypes were detected in 55% of males, 19 repeating up to ten-times in 38.7% of males and the remained 12 occurred uniquely in 6.3% of males. Bulk analysis of X-haplotypes dissimilarity indicated seven haplotype groups diversified by mutations and recombinations. Two haplotypes showed a distinctive regional distribution, which indicates an east-west disruption of CPB migration probably caused by different environments of localities in the South Bohemia region and Vysocina region. On the contrary, the results indicate a south-north migration corridor alongside the Vltava River. In the single-female families, from 6 to 13 distinct paternal haplotypes were detected, which proved and quantified a frequented polyandry in CPB.

The FLUXNET2015 dataset and the ONEFlux processing pipeline for eddy covariance data

The FLUXNET2015 dataset provides ecosystem-scale data on CO₂, water, and energy exchange between the biosphere and the atmosphere, and other meteorological and biological measurements, from 212 sites around the globe (over 1500 site-years, up to and including year 2014). These sites, independently managed and operated, voluntarily contributed their data to create global datasets. Data were quality controlled and processed using uniform methods, to improve consistency and intercomparability across sites. The dataset is already being used in a number of applications, including ecophysiology studies, remote sensing studies, and development of ecosystem and Earth system models. FLUXNET2015 includes derived-data products, such as gap-filled time series, ecosystem respiration and photosynthetic uptake estimates, estimation of uncertainties, and metadata about the measurements, presented for the first time in this paper. In addition, 206 of these sites are for the first time distributed under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 4.0) license. This paper details this enhanced dataset and the processing methods, now made available as open-source codes, making the dataset more accessible, transparent, and reproducible.

Measurement(s)	net ecosystem exchange • carbon dioxide • water • energy
Technology Type(s)	eddy covariance • measurement device
Sample Characteristic - Environment	terrestrial biome • atmosphere
Sample Characteristic - Location	Earth (planet)

Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12295910

Grain-resolved analysis of localized deformation in nickel-titanium wire under tensile load

The stress-induced martensitic transformation in tensioned nickel-titanium shape-memory alloys proceeds by propagation of macroscopic fronts of localized deformation. We used three-dimensional synchrotron x-ray diffraction to image at micrometer-scale resolution the grain-resolved elastic strains and stresses in austenite around one such front in a prestrained nickel-titanium wire. We found that the local stresses in austenite grains are modified ahead of the nose cone-shaped buried interface where the martensitic transformation begins. Elevated shear stresses at the cone interface explain why the martensitic transformation proceeds in a localized manner. We established the crossover from stresses in individual grains to a continuum macroscopic internal stress field in the wire and rationalized the experimentally observed internal stress field and the topology of the macroscopic front by means of finite element simulations of the localized deformation.

Atmospheric station Křešín u Pacova, Czech Republic – a Central European research infrastructure for studying greenhouse gases, aerosols and air quality

Abstract. Long-lasting research infrastructures covering the research areas of atmospheric chemistry, meteorology and climatology are of highest importance. The Atmospheric Station (AS) Křešín u Pacova, central Czech Republic, is focused on monitoring of the occurence and long-range transport of greenhouse gases, atmospheric aerosols, selected gaseous atmospheric pollutants and basic meteorological characteristics. The AS and its 250 m tall tower was built according to the recommendations of the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) and cooperates with numerous national and international projects and monitoring programmes. First measurements conducted at ground started in 2012, vertical profile measurements were added in 2013. A seasonal variability with slightly higher autumn and winter concentrations of elemental and organic carbon was revealed. The suitability of the doubly left-censored Weibull distribution for modelling and interpretation of elemental carbon concentrations, which are often lower than instrumental quantification limits, was verified. Initial data analysis also suggests that in summer, the tower top at 250 m is frequently above the nocturnal surface inversions, thus being decoupled from local influences.

Albumin-based or albumin-linked calibrators cause a positive bias in serum proteins assayed by the biuret method

BACKGROUND

Assay of total serum protein by the biuret method calibrated with albumin standards according to the reference method provides results with a positive bias approximately 3%-5% exceeding the total error of 3.4% allowable for total protein in serum analysis made by analysers using two-part reagents and short-term procedures.

METHODS

We used two types of two-part biuret reagents utilised in a short-term measurement in analysers with albumin or serum calibrators, in which protein was attested by the Kjeldahl method.

RESULTS

Tests with potentially interfering substances proved that serum blanking used in a short-term biuret procedure is not capable of sufficiently eliminating effects of serum interferents. A short-term blanking is evidently capable of suppressing only an absorbance caused by serum-present coloured and turbid interferents, but its capacity to transform them (oxidise, hydrolyse, saponify, etc.) to some other not-interfering substances is very low compared with a long-term blanking. Lipids and bilirubin are responsible for significant positive bias of total protein in normal serum samples (approximately 3%) and even a greater positive offset in lipaemic and icteric sera (approximately 5%). We verified that interference tests based on a normal serum spiked with endogenous lipids and bilirubin give quite false and misleading results in the biuret reaction. A pure albumin, not depending on its bovine/human origin, gives absorbance responding only to its copper complexes with protein with a biuret regent, while its absorbance with a serum also includes the absorbance of interferents present in serum. The simplest way to improve current short-term biuret procedures is the use of a human serum calibrator with total protein attested by the Kjeldahl method. A serum calibrator, behaving analogously to serum samples, compensates for a positive bias in most normal sera. Reagents with a greater concentration of active biuret components (copper and alkali, reference method included) seem to be unnecessarily aggressive to proteins and are responsible for a lower accuracy when used in short-term measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Standard Reference Material 927c based on pure bovine albumin is still recommended and used as the primary standard for assays of total protein by colourimetric methods. The albumin calibrator is responsible for a positive bias of approximately 3%-5% in serum total protein assayed by the biuret reaction both in the reference and in current methods. Its substitution by a serum calibrator attested by the Kjeldahl method could solve this drawback. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:91-101.

[Wrist arthroscopy]

BACKGROUND

Pain in the wrist area is quite a frequent lesion. If it is not treated soon enough, it leads to development of degenerative changes which are curable with difficulty. Diagnosing is complicated because it is often difficult to diagnose them by means of radiological methods. Wrist arthroscopy is a method which enables to assess the problem and very often it also helps to solve it with an operation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Authors evaluated 93 wrist arthroscopies performed in their departments during 2004-2005. There were 28 arthroscopies performed due to an acute lesion and 65 arthroscopies due to chronic problems. There were 59 arthroscopic curative interventions performed during the operation and 64 open interventions were indicated on the basis of an arthroscopic examination.

CONCLUSIONS

All wrist lesions where the lesion of connective tissues structures is suspected, accompanied with edema and hematoma, should be indicated for acute wrist arthroscopy, even though there is no finding on radiographs. Another group of patients indicated for the acute wrist arthroscopy are young patients with wrist fractures where there is a frequent ligament lesion associated, and patients with persisting ailments, even after radiologically confirmed healing of the fracture when intra-articular pathology can be expected. All patients with pain in the wrist area are indicated for arthroscopy, including those with not obvious cause of pain and with symptoms of arthrosis, because it is possible to evaluate further procedure of the therapy.

[Refractive procedures--LASIK and intraocular pressure in myopic eyes]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of central corneal thickness (CCT) on the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal myopic eyes before and after LASIK refractive surgery.

METHODS

To determine CCT (by ultrasonic pachymeter NIDEC) and IOP (by Goldmann tonometer) in 27 patients (48 myopic eyes from -4 to -14 D) before LASIK (on Chiron Technolas 117) and 3 months after LASIK surgery.

RESULTS

Mean CCT before LASIK was 543.8 microns (480-612), 3 months after was 430.6 microns (371-511), the difference--113.2 microns (48-157) is highly significant (p < 0.0001). Similar significant is also the decrease of mean IOP 3 months after surgery--about 5.4 mmHg (p < 0.0001). After LASIK surgery decrease IOP is 4.8 mmHg/100 microns. CCT is an important factor for accuracy of the Goldmann measurement. Myopic eyes need more attention, especially after photorefractive surgery, when CCT is decreased and therefore Goldmann IOP measurement is permanently underestimated.

[Pachymetry in patients with glaucoma]

Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured in 328 eyes of 167 patients (50 men and 117 women, an average age was 62 years). CCT was determinated by ultrasonic pachymeter NIDEC, design UP-1000, at Eye Department of 3rd Medical Faculty of Prague.

RESULTS

The mean CCT at glaucoma patients was 561 microns, in margins 490-650 microns. CCT for right eyes were 0.567 +/- 0.035 mm, for left eyes 0.569 +/- 0.037 mm. There were no influence by previous operations (cataract, trabeculectomy and combined operations). NTG had the lowest CCT values 551 microns, POAG had 569 microns and OHT the greates value, CCT is 588 microns. CCT in patients with NTG was significantly lower (p = 0.047) than in POAG. The higher difference is between NTG a OHT (p = 0.015). We had no statistical difference in CCT between hypermetropic, emetropic and myopic eyes. The corneal thickness is decreasing during ageing. CCT is another clinically helpful factor for evaluation our glaucoma patients. CCT together with other risk factors can help us in establishing a target pressure. Patients after refractive surgery (PRK, LASIK) should be more carefully evaluated not to miss early stages of glaucoma.