Hamiltonian theory of hybrid quantum–classical systems is used to study dynamics of the classical subsystem coupled to different types of quantum systems. It is shown that the qualitative properties ...of orbits of the classical subsystem clearly indicate if the quantum subsystem does or does not have additional conserved observables.
The platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) plays an important role in many inflammatory processes, including the development of atherosclerosis. Polymorphism rs668 of the
gene ...(373C/G) is functional, and it was reported to be associated with increased serum levels of PECAM-1. We investigated the association between the rs668 polymorphism of PECAM-1 and subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Five hundred and ninety-five T2DM subjects and 200 control subjects were enrolled. The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque characteristics (presence and structure) were assessed ultrasonographically. Biochemical analyses were performed using standard biochemical methods. Geno-typing of the
gene polymorphism (rs668) was performed using KASPar assays. The control examinations were performed 3.8 ± 0.5 years after the initial examination. Higher CIMT was found in patients with T2DM in comparison with subjects without T2DM. Statistically sig-nificantly faster progression of the atherosclerotic markers was shown in subjects with T2DM in comparison with the control group. When adjusted to other risk factors, the rs668 GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of carotid plaques in subjects with T2DM. We concluded that our study demonstrated a minor effect of the rs668 PECAM-1 on markers of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with T2DM.
The Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) is a long-distance migratory raptor, breeding in Europe and Western Asia and wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. The population of the species has declined in ...Europe during the twentieth century, and Montagu’s harrier is red-listed in many European countries as declining or threatened. The main aims of the study were to evaluate the genetic diversity of European breeding populations and estimate the genetic differentiation among them, using polymorphism in the hypervariable domain of the mitochondrial control region. We analysed 158 individuals from central Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. The results indicated high genetic diversity in the European breeding population, probably reflecting the large population size of the species. However, we found decreased genetic variability in the breeding population of Germany. Among the 18 identified haplotypes, 2 were of high frequency. There was no clear connection between the position of the haplotype in the genealogy and its geographical distribution. Genetic structure was weakly pronounced (H ST = 0.053, P < 0.001). SAMOVA indicated the presence of three genetic groups: The first group consisted of samples from central Spain and northeastern Poland, the second from southern Poland and the Czech Republic, and the third group separated samples from Germany from the other regions. Genetic differentiation between pairs of groups was low, suggesting a low level of philopatry and a high dispersal ability of Montagu’s harrier.
The mean ionic activity coefficients of NaCl in a ternary system {
y
NaCl + (1 –
y
)Na
2
HPO
4
}(aq) were determined from measurements of the electromotive force (EMF) where the NaCl ionic strength ...fraction was
y
= (0.3012; 0.4015; 0.5011; 0.5988; 0.7706; 0.8997) in the range of total ionic strength of the solution
I
m
= 0.0701–1.0161 mol kg
–1
at temperature
T
= 298.15 K. A cell of the Na–ISE|
,
|AgCl|Ag, type was employed for the EMF measurements. The experimental results from this work and the model of Pitzer’s were used to determine the mixing parameters. Good agreement was found between the experimental and calculated values of the mean ionic activity coefficients of NaCl with a standard deviation of fit 1.5 × 10
–3
. The values of the osmotic coefficients of the system {
y
NaCl + (1 –
y
)Na
2
HPO
4
}(aq) were estimated on the basis of the determined parameters and compared with literature data. The differences in the osmotic coefficients between the estimated and experimental values were negligible.
Experimental results on isopiestic measurements for three ternary aqueous solutions of K
2
HPO
4
with KCl, KBr, and KNO
3
at
T
= 298.15 K were modeled with the Clegg–Pitzer–Brimblecombe equation ...based on mole-fraction-composition scale yielding appropriate mixing parameters, for the estimation of thermodynamic activities of solute components. The results for mean ionic activity coefficients of electrolytes in ternary solutions, calculated this way, are showing specific behavior depending on total ionic strength and ionic strength fractions of electrolytes. The activity coefficients of KCl in {
y
KCl + (1–
y
)K
2
HPO
4
}(aq) and of KBr in {
y
KBr + (1–
y
)K
2
HPO
4
}(aq) are changing consistently from the ionic strength and their ionic strength fractions contrary to activity coefficients of KNO
3
in {
y
KNO
3
+ (1–
y
)K
2
HPO
4
}(aq). In addition, molality of K
2
HPO
4
aqueous saturated solution, in equilibrium with K
2
HPO
4
· 3H
2
O(cr), and appropriate osmotic coefficient at
T
= 298.15 K, were determined by the isopiestic method.
The differences in the mechanism of the halogenate reactions with the same oxidizing/reducing agent, such as H2O2 contribute to the better understanding of versatile halogen chemistry. The reaction ...between iodate, bromate, and chlorate with hydrogen peroxide in acidic medium at 60 °C is investigated by using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. Essential differences in the chemistry of iodate, bromate, and chlorate in their reactions with hydrogen peroxide have been evidenced by finding different radicals as governing intermediates. The reaction between KIO3 and H2O2 is supposed to be the source of IO2 • radicals. The KBrO3 and H2O2 reaction did not produce any EPR signal, whereas the KClO3–H2O2 system was found to be a source of HO• radical. Moreover, KClO3 dissolved in sulfuric acid without hydrogen peroxide produced HO• radical as well. The minimal-core models explaining the origin of obtained EPR signals are proposed. Current findings suggested the inclusion of IO2 • and HOO• radicals, and ClO2 • and HO• radicals in the particular kinetic models of iodate–hydrogen peroxide and chlorate–hydrogen peroxide systems, as well as possible exclusion of BrO2 • radical from the kinetic scheme of the bromate–hydrogen peroxide system. Obtained results may pave the way for understanding more complex, nonlinear reactions of these halogen-containing species.
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