This paper presents the results of the application of wavelet decomposition to processing data from the GGP sites (The Global Geodynamics Project). The GGP is an international project within which the Earth's gravity field changes are recorded with high accuracy at a number of stations worldwide using superconducting gravimeters. Data with a 5-second sampling interval from Wettzell and Bad Homburg were used for the research. The wavelet transform enables the investigation of the temporal changes of the oscillation amplitudes or the decomposition of the time series for the analysis of the required frequencies. The wavelet decomposition was performed using the regular orthogonal symmetric Meyer wavelet. The research concerned data from an earthquake period recorded at various locations and a quiet period when the gravimeters worked without any disturbances. The decomposition was followed by the Fast Fourier Transform for signal frequency components and then by correlation analyses of corresponding frequency components (for periods from 10 to 60 000 seconds) for all sensor combinations, for the quiet and the earthquake periods separately. Frequency components defining long term changes for all sensor combinations, as well as combinations between two sensors at the same site for the quiet days are characterised by high correlation coefficients. For the time of the earthquake, the Wettzell site data proved strong correlation for all frequency components, while the Bad Homburg site data showed an unexpected decrease of correlation for the majority of frequency components. The authors also showed that wavelet decomposition can be a good method of data interpolation, especially from the time of earthquakes. Moreover, it is a very useful tool for filtering the data and removing the noises., Janusz Bogusz, Anna Klos and Wieslaw Kosek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The classical Hardy-Littlewood maximal operator is bounded not only on the classical Lebesgue spaces Lp(Rd) (in the case p > 1), but (in the case when 1/p(·) is log-Hölder continuous and p- = inf{p(x): x\in Rd > 1) on the variable Lebesgue spaces Lp(·)(Rd), too. Furthermore, the classical Hardy-Littlewood maximal operator is of weak-type (1, 1). In the present note we generalize Besicovitch’s covering theorem for the so-called γ-rectangles. We introduce a general maximal operator Msγδ, and with the help of generalized Φ-functions, the strong- and weak-type inequalities will be proved for this maximal operator. Namely, if the exponent function 1/p(·) is log-Hölder continuous and p- ≥ s, where 1 ≤ s ≤ ∞ is arbitrary (or
p- ≥ s), then the maximal operator Msγδ is bounded on the space Lp(·)(Rd) (or the maximal operator is of weak-type (p(·), p(·)))., Kristóf Szarvas, Ferenc Weisz., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Population fluctuations of the well-known oak defoliator, the oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea L.), were studied using light trap data and basic meteorological parameters (monthly average temperatures, and precipitation) at three locations in Western Hungary over a period of 15 years (1988-2012). The fluctuations in the numbers caught by the three traps were strongly synchronized. One possible explanation for this synchrony may be similar weather at the three trapping locations. Cyclic Reverse Moving Interval Techniques (CReMIT) were used to define the period of time in a year that most strongly influences the catches. For this period, we defined a species specific aridity index for Thaumetopoea processionea (THAU-index). This index explains 54.8-68.9% of the variation in the yearly catches, which indicates that aridity, particularly in the May-July period was the major determinant of population fluctuations. Our results predict an increasing future risk of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) outbreaks and further spread if the frequency of severe spring/summer droughts increases with global warming., György Csóka, Anikó Hirka, Levente Szöcs, Norbert Móricz, Ervin Rasztovits, Zoltán Pödör., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Karst landforms can result from a single stage process in which chemical dissolution and mechanical erosion proceed simultaneously or from a two stage process in which chemical dissolution precedes mechanical erosion. During the second of these processes, chemical dissolution leads to the creation of karst features hosting a residual weathering product, here referred to as alterite. An example of one such feature is the enclosed mass of altered rock at Červený Quarry near Klukovice which represents one of the richest localities for exceptionally preserved echinoderm ossicles in the Prague Synform. In this study the processes responsible for the formation of this feature have been investigated. Nineteen samples were obtained from the bioclastic Slivenec Limestone and from these it has been possible to calculate the carbonate volume content, which defines the weathering intensity, and the carbonate rock weathering index, which defines the weathering state. The results demonstrate that carbonate dissolution has not been accompanied by gravitational compaction or the incorporation of mineral inputs. Thin sections analysed under polarised light and under cathodoluminescence emphasise heterogeneous dolomitisation of the limestone. As the weathering grade intensifies, empty rhomboidal pores become increasingly common until, ultimately, the rhomboidal forms are lost due to corrosion and enlargement. In contrast it is rare to find evidence of calcite dissolution and, therefore, the altered mass still hosts almost all of its post dolomitisation micrite, sparite, and bioclasts. Negligible calcite dissolution helps to explain the exceptional nature of the fossil preservation at the site while the dolomite dissolution accounts for the ease with which it is possible to extract the fossils. Further research should focus on better understanding the role of dolomite dissolution in the formation of other important palaeontological localities in the Prague Synform., Matt Rowberry, Caroline Dubois, Olivier Kaufmann, Jean-Marc Baele and Jan Blahůt., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) is suitable to process the nonlinear and non-stationary time series for filtering noise out to extract the signals. The formal errors are provided along with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position time series, however, not being considered by the traditional EMD. In this contribution, we proposed a modified approach that called weighted Empirical Mode Decomposition (weighted EMD) to extract signals from GNSS position time series, by constructing the weight factors based on the formal errors. The position time series over the period from 2011 to 2018 of six permanent stations (SCBZ, SCJU, SCMN, HLFY, FJPT, SNXY) were analyzed by weighted EMD, as well as the traditional EMD. The results show that weighted EMD can extract more signals than traditional EMD from original GNSS position time series. Additionally, the fitting errors were reduced 14.52 %, 12.25 % and 8.06 % for North, East and Up components for weighted EMD relative to traditional EMD, respectively. Moreover, 100 simulations of four stations are further carried out to validate the performances of weighted EMD and traditional EMD. The mean Root Mean Squared Errors (RMSEs) are reduced from traditional EMD to weighted EMD with the reductions of 9.08 %, 9.63 % and 6.84 % for East, North and Up components, respectively, which highlights the necessity of considering the formal errors. Therefore, it reasonable to conclude that weighted EMD can extract the signals more than traditional EMD, which can be suggested to analyze GNSS position time series with formal errors., Xiaomeng Qiu, Fengwei Wang, Yunqi Zhou and Shijian Zhou., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Parasitological examination of freshwater fishes of the Phongolo River in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa resulted in the discovery and morphological and molecular characterisation of a new species of Wenyonia Woodland, 1923 (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea). The new species from the plain squeaker, Synodontis zambezensis Peters (Siluriformes: Mochokidae), is morphologically most similar to Wenyonia acuminata Woodland, 1923, a species reported from three species of Synodontis in north-eastern, western and central Africa (Sudan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo). Both these species are markedly different from congeners by having a nematoform body and a digitiform scolex. Wenyonia gracilis sp. n. differs from W. acuminata in its general body size, length and width of main body regions (testicular and uterine regions), a posterior extension of the testes into the uterine region, numerous postovarian vitelline follicles filling the entire medulla, eggs c. 1/3 larger in size, and a scolex with an apical introvert but devoid of longitudinal furrows and a well-defined base. Wenyonia gracilis is the seventh species in the genus and the first autochthonous caryophyllidean ever reported and described from southern Africa (south of the Zambezi River)., Bjoern C. Schaeffner, Divan van Rooyen, Ruan Gerber, Tomáš Scholz, Nico J. Smit., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Epileptic afterdischarges (ADs) elicited by electrical stimulation of sensorimotor cortical area were used as a model to study the role of neurotransmitter systems in cortical seizures in three age groups of developing rats. Drugs augmenting inhibition mediated by GABAA receptors were found to suppress ADs in all age groups, their activity was usually more marked in younger than in 25-day-old rat pups. Drugs potentiating GABAB receptors exhibit lower efficacy and more complicated developmental profile than GABAA-ergic drugs. Effects of an antagonist of GABAB receptor – marked prolongation of ADs in all three age groups – suggest an important role of GABAB receptors in arrest of cortical seizures. Drugs affecting glutamate receptors exhibit variable effects, usually better expressed in older animals than in 12-day-old ones. No specific role for ionotropic as well as metabotropic glutamate receptors could be predicted. Activation of adenosinergic inhibitory modulatory system also exhibited anticonvulsant action in the present model. All three neurotransmitter systems probably participate in mechanisms of generation, maintenance and arrest of cortical seizures., P. Mareš, H. Kubová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The quality of stored blood can be deteriorated by hemolysis caused by free radicals. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether neutrophile leukocytes are the source of free radicals in stored blood as in hemodialyzed patients. Resuspensions with low (LL) or high (HL) leukocyte concentrations were prepared from samples of twenty healthy volunteers. The samples were incubated for 10 days at 4 °C and then for one day at 37 °C. Markers of hemolysis and free radical metabolism were examined before and after incubation in LL and HL samples. In spite of the difference of leukocytes counts in LL and HL resuspensions (p<0.0001), the pre-incubation values of all laboratory parameters were practically identical. In post-storage samples, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities did not differ in either group. Reduced glutathione in erythrocytes and extracellular antioxidant capacity were insignificantly lower in HL resuspensions, but the increase of malondialdehyde was much more pronounced in the HL samples (p<0.0001). The degree of hemolysis, expressed as the extracellular increase of potassium (p<0.001), hemoglobin (p<0.05) and lactate dehydrogenase (p<0.05), was higher in the HL samples. Our results support the hypothesis that leukocytes participate in free radical production in stored blood., J. Racek, R. Herynková, V. Holeček, J. Faltysová, I. Krejčová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Many insects masquerade as parts of plants, such as bark or leaves, or mimic poisonous organisms in order to defend themselves against predators. However, recent studies indicate that plants may mimic insects and other arthropods to deter herbivores. Here, I report visually similar white structures of plants and arthropods in Japan and suggest they are part of a mimicry complex. Young shoots covered with white trichomes or waxy substances may mimic wax-producing insects, such as woolly aphids, coccids and caterpillars, potentially resulting in reduced herbivory. Since wax-producing insects would reduce plant quality and quantity, be distasteful and attract natural enemies, herbivorous insects and mammals may avoid such white shoots. Furthermore, fungus-infected insects, gregarious braconid cocoons, spider egg sacs and froth made by froghopper nymphs or blasticotomid sawfly larvae are also conspicuously white and impose risks for herbivorous insects. Thus, these white structures may be mimicry models for white shoots and are likely to be part of a defensive mimicry complex. Although this study focuses on defence against herbivores, there are simultaneous physiological roles for white colouration that will not be discussed in depth here., Kazuo Yamazaki., and Obsahuje bibliografii