TBP,PPIA, YWHAZ and EF1A1 Are the Most Stably Expressed Genes during Osteogenic Differentiation

RT-qPCR is the gold standard and the most commonly used method for measuring gene expression. Selection of appropriate reference gene(s) for normalization is a crucial part of RT-qPCR experimental design, which allows accurate quantification and reliability of the results. Because there is no universal reference gene and even commonly used housekeeping genes’ expression can vary under certain conditions, careful selection of an appropriate internal control must be performed for each cell type or tissue and experimental design. The aim of this study was to identify the most stable reference genes during osteogenic differentiation of the human osteosarcoma cell lines MG-63, HOS, and SaOS-2 using the geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper statistical algorithms. Our results show that TBP, PPIA, YWHAZ, and EF1A1 are the most stably expressed genes, while ACTB, and 18S rRNA expressions are most variable. These data provide a basis for future RT-qPCR normalizations when studying gene expression during osteogenic differentiation, for example, in studies of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.     

Characterizing r-perfect codes in direct products of two and three cycles

An r-perfect code of a graph G=(V,E) is a set C⊆V such that the r-balls centered at vertices of C form a partition of V. It is proved that the direct product of Cm and Cn (r?1, m,n?2r+1) contains an r-perfect code if and only if m and n are each a multiple of ²(r+1)+r² and that the direct product of Cm, Cn, and C? (r?1, m,n,??2r+1) contains an r-perfect code if and only if m, n, and ? are each a multiple of r³+³(r+1). The corresponding r-codes are essentially unique. Also, r-perfect codes in C2r×Cn (r?2, n?2r) are characterized.     

Data transmission over GSM voice channel using digital modulation technique based on autoregressive modeling of speech production

This paper presents a novel digital data modulation and demodulation algorithm ARDMA based on the principles of autoregressive modeling (AR) of speech production. In the first step a sustained voiced speech signal characteristics are analyzed using autoregressive modeling principle and then the two sets of linear prediction (LPC) coefficients are obtained and converted to linear spectrum frequencies (LSF). The input binary data stream drives the selection mechanism of LSF coefficients which are then applied as filter coefficients of the modulation signal synthesis filter. This filter is excited with specially designed excitation signal which corresponds to the basic characteristics of typical excitation signal of human vocal tract. Finally, a speech-alike modulation signal is produced. This modulation signal is then sent through the voice channel of the GSM system. The demodulator analyzes the incoming modulation signal using autoregressive modeling. The most likely LSF vector which modulated the particular symbol was determined by the demodulation process and converted to the respective string of binary data. The performance of proposed modulation scheme was compared to the regular frequency shift keying method (FSK). The performance improvement of ARDMA against FSK is observed at higher bit-rates in the case of three compared GSM speech coders.     

Mercury,selenium, PCBs and fatty acids in fresh and canned fish available on the Slovenian market

In order to contribute to the general understanding of the risks and benefits of consuming fish and fish products, total mercury (THg), monomethylmercury (MeHg), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), selenium (Se), n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were determined in fresh and canned fish on the Slovenian market. Furthermore, the mercury exposure of pregnant women in Slovenia was assessed by determining total mercury (THg) in hair, and through fresh and canned fish consumption obtained by a food frequency questionnaire. Based on the frequency of fish consumption and levels of MeHg, THg and PCBs determined in the present study, it can be concluded that fish available on the Slovenian market do not represent a health risk. It was also confirmed that fish are important sources of selenium and n-3 fatty acids.     

Numerical computation of impedances of a human tooth for estimation of the root canal length

Alternative current (ac) current conduction through a human tooth has been investigated through numerical simulation. Numerical calculation of impedance between the file (electrode) inserted in the root canal of the tooth and the outer electrode enables investigation of the impedance method used in dentistry for evaluation of the root canal length. Simulations confirm the improved sensitivity of the impedance method using the results of multiple frequency measurements.     

Meteorological parameters contributing to variability in 222Rn activity concentrations in soil gas at a site in Sapporo, Japan

Continuous ²²²Rn monitoring in soil gas since November 22, 2004 has revealed variability in activity concentration with time in the semi-natural woods on the campus of Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. Among various factors affecting soil radon levels and variability, temperature was found to be dominant during three seasons when activity concentrations of ²²²Rn showed a diurnal high and nocturnal low with a boundary around 10 o'clock in the morning. This pattern was disturbed by low pressure fronts with occasional rain. The activity gradually decreased as soil temperatures decreased from late November to mid-December. After the ground surface was completely covered with snow, soil radon levels became low with a small fluctuation. There were several peaks of ²²²Rn on the time-series chart in winter. Those peaks appearing in early winter and early spring may be interpreted by considering meteorological parameters. In a few cases, the radon activity suddenly increased with increasing pressure in the soil at a depth of 10 cm, which may be associated with subsurface events such as seismic activity in the area.     

Measurements of size-segregated emission particles by a sampling system based on the cascade impactor

A special sampling system for measurements of size-segregated particles directly at the source of emission was designed and constructed. The central part of this system is a low-pressure cascade impactor with 10 collection stages for the size ranges between 15 nm and 16 microm. Its capability and suitability was proven by sampling particles atthe stack (100 degrees C) of a coal-fired power station in Slovenia. These measurements showed very reasonable results in comparison with a commercial cascade impactor for PM10 and PM2.5 and with a plane device for total suspended particulate matter (TSP). The best agreement with the measurements made by a commercial impactor was found for concentrations of TSP above 10 mg m(-3), i.e., the average PM2.5/PM10 ratios obtained by a commercial impactor and by our impactor were 0.78 and 0.80, respectively. Analysis of selected elements in size-segregated emission particles additionally confirmed the suitability of our system. The measurements showed that the mass size distributions were generally bimodal, with the most pronounced mass peak in the 1-2 microm size range. The first results of elemental mass size distributions showed some distinctive differences in comparison to the most common ambient anthropogenic sources (i.e., traffic emissions). For example, trace elements, like Pb, Cd, As, and V, typically related to traffic emissions, are usually more abundant in particles less than 1 microm in size, whereas in our specific case they were found at about 2 microm. Thus, these mass size distributions can be used as a signature of this source. Simultaneous measurements of size-segregated particles at the source and in the surrounding environment can therefore significantly increase the sensitivity of the contribution of a specific source to the actual ambient concentrations.     

Optimization of Ligninolytic Enzyme Activity and Production Rate with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora for Application in Bioremediation by Varying Submerged Media Composition and Growth Immobilization Support

Response surface methodology (central composite design of experiments) was employed to simultaneously optimize enzyme production and productivities of two ligninolytic enzymes produced by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. Concentrations of glucose, ammonium tartrate and Polysorbate 80 were varied to establish the optimal composition of liquid media (OLM), where the highest experimentally obtained activities and productivities were 41 U L⁻¹ and 16 U L⁻¹ day⁻¹ for laccase (Lac), and 193 U L⁻¹ and 80 U L⁻¹ day⁻¹ for manganese peroxidase (MnP). Considering culture growth in OLM on various types of immobilization support, the best results were obtained with 1 cm beech wood cubes (BWCM). Enzyme activities in culture filtrate were 152 U L⁻¹ for Lac and 58 U L⁻¹ for MnP, since the chemical composition of this immobilization material induced higher Lac activity. Lower enzyme activities were obtained with polyurethane foam. Culture filtrates of OLM and BWCM were applied for dye decolorization. Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) was decolorized faster and more efficiently than Copper(II)phthalocyanine (CuP) with BWCM (80% and 60%), since Lac played a crucial role. Decolorization of CuP was initially faster than that of RBBR, due to higher MnP activities in OLM. The extent of decolorization after 14 h was 60% for both dyes.     

Mercury species, mass flows and processes in a cement plant

The aim of the study was to evaluate the behaviour of mercury in the cement clinker production process. Simultaneous measurements of mercury in all important materials and gas streams were performed in three sampling periods on about 300 solid samples and about 80 samples taken from gas streams. Mercury species in flue gases at characteristic parts of the process were measured as total Hg(t), particulate Hg(p), elemental Hg⁰(g) and reactive Hg²⁺(g) mercury. Based on the results of measurements, mercury mass flows and mass balances of the whole and in certain parts of the process were evaluated. It was shown that the process comprises many mercury cycles which are strongly dependent on the operating conditions and technological specifics. Cycling of mercury causes a significant enrichment of mercury inside the process. In the annual mercury input of about 27 kg, raw materials accounted near by 60% and fuels about 40% (i.e. petrol coke 31%, waste tyres 10% and waste oil 0.4%). The annual emission of mercury represented 40-70% of the inputs, while cement clinker only contained about 10%. The difference between inputs and outputs (11-45%) obtained in the annual mass balance could be assigned to mercury recycling and significant enrichment inside the process, as well as variability between spot measurements. The parts of the process with the highest mercury mass flows and the lowest material/gas flows were identified. Such points represent an opportunity to remove a significant amount of mercury from the process at low material flows and to improve mercury control. Mercury was mainly emitted in gaseous form with 92% (direct mode) or 89% (combined mode) as Hg(g) on average, of which about 2/3 was as Hg²⁺(g), and about 1/3 as Hg⁰(g). Only a small part (the rest) was emitted as particulate Hg(p). Shares of individual mercury species in the last sampling period were 65.7% Hg²⁺(g), 34.0% Hg⁰(g) and 0.3% Hg(p) on average. Ratios between individual mercury forms were found to be related to operating modes. The quantities of Hg(t), Hg(g) and Hg²⁺(g) emitted were higher when operating with the raw mills off (direct mode). It was seen that the efficiency of Hg removal was strongly related to the dust removal efficiency. Bag filters very efficiently removed all mercury species.     

Effect of radon measurement methods on dose estimation

Different radon measurement methods were applied in the old and new buildings of the Turkish bath of Eger, Hungary, in order to elaborate a radon measurement protocol. Besides, measurements were also made concerning the radon and thoron short-lived decay products, gamma dose from external sources and water radon. The most accurate results for dose estimation were provided by the application of personal radon meters. Estimated annual effective doses from radon and its short-lived decay products in the old and new buildings, using 0.2 and 0.1 measured equilibrium factors, were 0.83 and 0.17 mSv, respectively. The effective dose from thoron short-lived decay products was only 5 % of these values. The respective external gamma radiation effective doses were 0.19 and 0.12 mSv y(-1). Effective dose from the consumption of tap water containing radon was 0.05 mSv y(-1), while in the case of spring water, it was 0.14 mSv y(-1).