Fuzzy prime ideals of pseudo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">MV</Emphasis> algebras

The aim of this paper is to introduce the notion of fuzzy prime ideals of pseudo-MV algebras and investigate some of its properties.      

Inorganic magnetic support for sodium cation scavenging

Three different magnetic iron oxide-silica matrices with polyoxaalkyl units have been obtained in a multi-step synthesis. The structures of the matrices were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while their surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The scavenging ability was studied by ultraviolet-visible measurements. The results demonstrate very good scavenging efficiency of compounds studied against sodium cations (Na⁺). The complexing abilities of the magnetic iron oxide-silica surfaces were compared with those of the previously studied analogously modified non-magnetic silica surfaces.     

Analysis of repeatability of Diesel engine acceleration

The analysis of combustion non-repeatability in the dynamical working conditions of a Diesel engine is presented. In the frame of statistical analysis, applied to a number of acceleration trails, basic determinants such as standard square deviation, skewness, and kurtosis have been calculated for the mean indicated pressure (MIP). The methods of return maps, delay phase portrait reconstruction, recurrence plots and quantification recurrence analysis have been also used to analyze a single chosen course of the measured pressure starting from the idle run of engine, through its acceleration process and ending on a stable engine run with a certain velocity. The results show that recurrence techniques are able to identify various phases of the engine non-stationary work.     

Differential Chromosome- and Plasmid-Borne Resistance of Escherichia coli hfq Mutants to High Concentrations of Various Antibiotics

The Hfq protein is a bacterial RNA chaperone, involved in many molecular interactions, including control of actions of various small RNA regulatory molecules. We found that the presence of Hfq was required for survival of plasmid-containing Escherichia coli cells against high concentrations of chloramphenicol (plasmid p27cmr), tetracycline (pSC101, pBR322) and ampicillin (pBR322), as hfq⁺ strains were more resistant to these antibiotics than the hfq-null mutant. In striking contrast, production of Hfq resulted in low resistance to high concentrations of kanamycin when the antibiotic-resistance marker was chromosome-borne, with deletion of hfq resulting in increasing bacterial survival. These results were observed both in solid and liquid medium, suggesting that antibiotic resistance is an intrinsic feature of these strains rather than a consequence of adaptation. Despite its major role as RNA chaperone, which also affects mRNA stability, Hfq was not found to significantly affect kan and tet mRNAs turnover. Nevertheless, kan mRNA steady-state levels were higher in the hfq-null mutant compared to the hfq⁺ strain, suggesting that Hfq can act as a repressor of kan expression.This observation does correlate with the enhanced resistance to high levels of kanamycin observed in the hfq-null mutant. Furthermore, dependency on Hfq for resistance to high doses of tetracycline was found to depend on plasmid copy number, which was only observed when the resistance marker was expressed from a low copy plasmid (pSC101) but not from a medium copy plasmid (pBR322). This suggests that Hfq may influence survival against high doses of antibiotics through mechanisms that remain to be determined. Studies with pBR322Δrom may also suggest an interplay between Hfq and Rom in the regulation of ColE1-like plasmid replication. Results of experiments with a mutant devoid of the part of the hfq gene coding for the C-terminal region of Hfq suggested that this region, as well as the N-terminal region, may be involved in the regulation of expression of antibiotic resistance in E. coli independently.     

Synaptic Alterations in a Transgenic Model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare, multi-system genetic disease with serious neurological and mental symptoms, including autism. Mutations in the TSC1/TSC2 genes lead to the overactivation of mTOR signalling, which is also linked to nonsyndromic autism. Our aim was to analyse synaptic pathology in a transgenic model of TSC: two-month-old male B6;129S4-Tsc2^tm1Djk/J mice with Tsc2 haploinsufficiency. Significant brain-region-dependent alterations in the expression of several synaptic proteins were identified. The most prominent changes were observed in the immunoreactivity of presynaptic VAMP1/2 (ca. 50% increase) and phospho-synapsin-1 (Ser62/67) (ca. 80% increase). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated serious ultrastructural abnormalities in synapses such as a blurred structure of synaptic density and a significantly increased number of synaptic vesicles. The impairment of synaptic mitochondrial ultrastructure was represented by excessive elongation, swelling, and blurred crista contours. Polyribosomes in the cytoplasm and swollen Golgi apparatus suggest possible impairment of protein metabolism. Moreover, the delamination of myelin and the presence of vacuolar structures in the cell nucleus were observed. We also report that Tsc2^+/− mice displayed increased brain weights and sizes. The behavioural analysis demonstrated the impairment of memory function, as established in the novel object recognition test. To summarise, our data indicate serious synaptic impairment in the brains of male Tsc2^+/− mice.     

Utilization of bog iron ores as sorbents of heavy metals

Sorption properties of bog iron ores with respect to Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr are evaluated at various pH. Maximum sorption determined in the experiments equals to 97.0, 25.2, 25.5, 55.0mg/g for lead(II), copper(II), zinc(II), and chromium(III), respectively. Chromium(VI) is bound in the amount of up to 10.0mg/g. The values of desorption indicate that most of the metals remain stably bound to the surface of bog iron ores, indicating that the chemisorption process prevails. The metals are sorbed as cations at the pH values from 4 to 9. Within this pH range up to 100% of the initial metal amount is immobilized. 90-100% of Cr(VI) is sorbed at pH between 3 and 5. Such properties, combined with favorable conditions of shallow mining and resultant low costs, may be regarded as an incentive for local utilization of bog iron ores in the environmental protection practice.     

Studies on dimerisation of tocopherols under the influence of methyl linoleate peroxides

The stability of plant oils is related to the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the presence of native antioxidants--especially tocopherols. During storage, lipids or the fat products undergo oxidation and tocopherol dimers and trimers are formed. These compounds possess reducing and antioxidant properties and participate in oxidation clearly inhibiting this process. In the present study, the correlation between levels of peroxides formed during autoxidation of methyl linoleate and simultaneous decomposition of tocopherols was examined. The peroxide value was investigated. Quantities of decomposed tocopherols and formation of their dimers were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mass spectrum analysis confirmed thatthe analysed compounds were dimes. Dimerisation of gamma-T begins at the smaller quantity of the methyl linoleate peroxides than dimerisation of delta-T. At the beginning of methyl linoleate autoxidation dimerisation of gamma-T in relation to its loss was smaller. The quantity of gamma-T dimers with ether bonds in total dimers pointed to faster binding of phenoxy radicals than transformation into the phenyl ones. delta-T dimers with phenyl bonds constitute about 65% of the total. The quantity of peroxides in methyl linoleate, necessary for quantitative and qualitative changes of homologous tocopherols, decreased from delta-T to alpha-T.     

Selected Geometric and Mechanical Properties of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Grain

The properties of grain of Mauritia and Prestige barley varieties were determined for moisture content of 12.5 and 15.5% wet basis. Broad variations were observed in the relationship between the moisture content of grain, its variety, and the geometric properties of barley. Most of the geometric properties of barley were dependent on both the cultivar studied and the moisture content of grain, while selected characteristics were dependent on moisture content of grain or barley cultivar only. The values of displacement, force and energy required for kernel rapture were lower for Mauritia variety than Prestige variety and were not dependent on the moisture content of grain.     

UPLC and Spectrophotometric Analysis of Polyphenols in Wines Available in the Polish Market

Ultra performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection (UPLC–PDA) was used to analyze five biologically active polyphenolic compounds (catechin, epicatechin, rutin, trans-resveratrol, and quercetin) in different types of wine available in the Polish market. The results showed that the major polyphenols in chosen wines were catechin and epicatechin, the minor polyphenol was trans-resveratrol. The use of UPLC system allowed a shorter run time of up to six times in comparison with the conventional HPLC system. Total polyphenols were analyzed according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method using gallic acid as a standard and the results were presented as gallic acid equivalents. The wines were also analyzed for anthocyanins content using malvidin-3,5-diglucoside as a reference material in spectrophotometric analysis.