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Microstructural Study and Analysis of Hard Zinc
Luptáková, Natália ; Pešlová, F. ; Stodola, P. ; Stodola, J.
The presented work is focused on the character and morphology of the input material for the production of metallic zinc which is used in the production of ZnO through indirect pyrometallurgical processes. The input material is the key parameter in the production of high-quality zinc oxide. For the prediction of a complex production process when problematic situation may occur, the systematic analysis of the input zinc raw materials is needed. Undesirable phases in the feedstock can be identified through profound recognition of the source material and the nature of its microstructure. Chemical composition of zinc metal and zinc additives helps to detect the phases occurring in the matrix. Undesirable phases in the feedstock can form hard and brittle compounds. If these compounds diffuse into the lining during thermal processes, they become the cause of stress in metallurgical ceramics. From the microstructure viewpoint, the heterogeneity of the grain size, various morphology of intermediate phases, their layout, arrangement, etc. can be expected. The results obtained by analysis are used to minimize waste-zinc slag and to eliminate the conditions which enable the formation of the undesired product, thereby increasing the productivity of the zinc oxide production. Moreover, another important knowledge could be used for modernization and effective the process of industrial production of ZnO in practical application in military technologies.
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Foliar application of zinc reduces the risk of drought stress on poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)
Škarpa, P. ; Richter, R. ; Hlavinka, Petr ; Trnka, Miroslav
Especially in arid regions, drought stress is considered as one of the main reasons for yield reduction of plant. Zinc, as one of the essential microelements in crop plant, plays a crucial role in resistance to drought stress. The objective of the vegetation experiment established in 2011-2015 on locality Zaboice was to explore the effect of the foliar zinc application on the yield of poppy in interactions with weather conditions observed years. Effect of zinc foliar application was significantly dependent on the average daily air temperature (r =-0.936). Foliar application of zinc increases production of poppy seed, in the range from 6.9 to 25.5 % and the efficiency of zinc foliar fertilization increases with a widening deficit rainfall calculated as the difference between the precipitation sum and reference evapotranspiration of poppy growing season (r =-0.9072). In general, the results of the present study indicate that usage of zinc foliar application reduces the harmful effects of water deficit stress and increases resistance to drought stress in poppy plant.
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Study of secretory granules from insulin-producing tissues and cell lines.
Halušková, Petra ; Žáková, Lenka (advisor) ; Koblas, Tomáš (referee)
Pancreas is known to be an organ producing a variety of exocrine and endocrine substances, where also insulin belongs. This hormone is produced in the body almost solely by specialized β-cells of the Langerhans islets and is stored here in secretory granules. As the β-cells contain large number of these vesicles, an organism can quickly respond to the glucose stimulation. Completely processed insulin is formed in the secretory granules probably as a hexamer, where six insulin molecules are coordinated along two zinc bivalent cations. Appropriate β-cell response to higher glucose level and following insulin secretion is one of the key processes that regulate metabolism in the body. In order to study insulin production, its effects or secretion, permanent pancreatic cell lines are often used as biological models, out of primary cells from islets of Langerhans. This diploma thesis is focused on two permanent cell lines INS-1E and BRIN-BD11. We searched for the ability of the cells to produce insulin, if the hormone is fully processed, as well as zinc content, which could have a great influence on insulin's processing. Using different methods we compared these two cell lines with cells from the Langerhans islets. We succeeded in isolation of secretory granules from all three cell types and we plan to...
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Determination of selected elements in plant materials using atomic spectrometry
Rylova, Kristina ; Hraníček, Jakub (advisor) ; Rychlovský, Petr (referee)
The aim of this bachelor thesis was to determine the elements Se, Zn, Ca and Mg in plant samples using atomic absorption spectrometry with two different types of atomization. The both methods has been optimized for the determination of these elements. Optimization of a burner height which generally ranged between 6.0 and 7.0 cm and optimization of the flow rate of acetylene, air and nitrous oxide was needed for the method using flame atomization. It also has been set location of the hollow cathode lamp. Optimization of dilution of hydrochloric acid, the concentration of sodium borohydride and the flow rate of the sample was needed for the method of atomic absorption spectrometry with the chemical generation of volatile hydrides. Optimal conditions, which were found, were used for measurement method performance which are describe the method for the determination of individual elements. The limit of detection for selenium was 0,496 µg L-1, for zinc was 6,01 µg L-1, for calcium was 15,51 µg L-1 and for magnesium was 2,47 µg L-1. Optimal conditions were also used for determination of the elements in real samples which were prepared by decomposition of plant materials with nitric acid in a microwave oven. Samples were diluted to provide a measurable response and the auxiliary solution of potassium...
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Computer modeling of ion protein interactions: Allo steric effects of phenolic ligands and ions on insulin hexamer struct ure
Palivec, Vladimír ; Jungwirth, Pavel (advisor) ; Fišer, Jiří (referee)
Title: Computer modeling of ion protein interactions: Allosteric effects of phenolic ligands and ions on insulin hexamer structure Author: Vladimír Palivec Department: Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry Faculty of Science UK Advisor: prof. RNDr. Pavel Jungwirth, DSc., IOCB AS CR, v.v.i. Advisor's email address: pavel.jungwirth@uochb.cas.cz Abstract: Insulin hexamer is an allosteric protein capable of undergoing conformational changes between three states: T6, T3R3, and R6. Transitions between them, as well as the formation of insulin hexamers, are mediated through binding of phenolic ligands or ions. This thesis presents a molecular dynamics study of allosteric behavior of insulin using empirical force fields. Two effects are closely inspected - cation (Zn2+ , Ca2+ , K+ , and Na+ ) binding to the insulin hexamers and a possible binding of two neurotransmitters - dopamine and serotonin to the phenolic pocket. The results show that high charge density cations (Zn2+ and Ca2+ ) are mostly localized in the B13 glutamate cavity, slow- down diffusion, while preventing other cations from entering. In contrast, low charge density cations (Na+ and K+ ) do not have this effect. Concerning neurotransmitters, dopamine does not bind to the phenolic pocket whereas serotonin binds in a similar way like...
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Taxonomic position, phylogenetic relationships and metal resistance of green algae dominating in phytoplankton of two acid lakes
Barcyte, Dovile ; Nedbalová, Linda (advisor) ; Hašler, Petr (referee)
The aim of this diploma thesis was to reveal the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the dominant planktonic algae in two acid metal-rich lakes (Hromnice Lake and Plešné Lake, Czech Republic) and to compare these isolates with other closely related strains with the focus on the tolerance to various toxic metals (Cr, Al, Cu, Mn, Zn, Hg). The phylogenetic analyses showed that both strains belong to species Coccomyxa simplex. It was the first evidence that specifically this species is capable to become the dominant phytoplankton alga in the extreme environment of acid lakes with increased supply of phosphorus. Based on 18S rDNA analysis, four independent phylogenetic lineages were revealed within the genus Coccomyxa with three of them containing isolates from acid freshwaters. Furthermore, new strains of the recently described species Coccomyxa polymorpha were found growing in various chemical solutions. The toxicity test revealed that Coccomyxa simplex strains isolated from Hromnice and Plešné lakes did not show any peculiar resistance to increased metal concentrations. A significantly strain-specific response was recorded in case of aluminum, however, it was not related to the concentration of this metal in the original habitat. The ability to thrive in extreme habitats is probably...
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Application of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Determination of Selected Elements from Potential Ecological Burden Area
Juránková, Lada ; Hraníček, Jakub (advisor) ; Šíma, Jan (referee)
This work is focused on the determination of selected (chemical) elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Na, K, Mg a Ca) in a potential ecological burden area using flame atomic absorption spectrometry as a detection technique. A potential ecological burden is represented by tires which are used as a construction material or as an environment surrounding for growing decorative and consumable plants. Analytes were determined in plant origin samples. Firstly, the samples were dried in a laboratory electric dryer. The weighted amount of a dried sample (approximately 0.2 g) was digested inside a microwave decomposition device with an addition of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. An optimization of experimental parameters was done for each of the elements before sample measuring. A burner height was optimized and 8 mm height was chosen as a optimum for most elements. Under the optimum condition basic characteristics were measured for each element separately. These characteristics included limits of detection that were: 0.05; 0.01; 0.08; 0.21; 0.02; 0.01; 0.01; 0.01 mg L-1 for the following elements: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, K, Ca, Mg and Na, respectively. The limits of quantification, sensitivity and repeatability were determined for each element as well. A significant attention was paid to the content of zinc in the studied...
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Determination of selected elements in plant extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry
Rydlová, Lenka ; Hraníček, Jakub (advisor) ; Kratzer, Jan (referee)
The aim of this bachelor thesis was to determine selected elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Zn, Se) in plant extracts and juices by atomic absorption spectrometry using different types of atomization. Each method has been optimized for determination of the mentioned elements. For flame atomization it has been used optimization of height of the primary radiation from the hollow cathode lamp over the edge of the burner. The height was generally between 6.0 and 8.0 mm. Then there have been optimized flow of each component of the flame (acetylene, air, nitrous oxide) and it has been set location of the hollow cathode lamp and the flame. Under the optimized conditions basic characteristics describing the method of the determination of mentioned elements have been measured (LOD for sodium 2.13 µg L-1 , for magnesium 2.44 µg L-1 , for potassium 11.3 µg L-1 , for calcium 15.6 µg L-1 , for zinc 6.04 µg L-1 , for selenium 0.34 µg L-1 ). In the next part of the thesis the optimized methods have been used for measuring concentration of all elements in real samples. After the preparation of the samples including dilution, addition of various reagents etc., they have been atomized by flame in an atomic absorption spectrometer (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Zn) and determined, or converted to a volatile compound (Se) and determined by...
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Determination of selective transition metals using electrochemical generation of volatile species with AAS detection
Mlejnek, Tomáš ; Hraníček, Jakub (advisor) ; Červený, Václav (referee)
The aim of this bachelor's thesis is to study the possibilities of electrochemical generation of volatile forms of copper, nickel and zinc with atomic absorption spectrometry detection. The electrochemical generation of volatile compounds were set in continuous flow analysis. A laboratory made on-membrane electrolytic cell with platinum electrodes was used for all experiments. Optimization of different conditions for electrochemical generation for specified analytes was determined via empiric methods. Optimized parameters were as follows: flow rate of carrier gas and electrolyte and generation current. The calibrations under the optimal values for both copper and zinc were measured. Other extended measurements were performed with zinc. For example, the optimization of electrolyte concentration, the influence of the atomization temperature, reversing polarity of the electrodes, the flow rate of electrolyte, the influence of salts as electrolytes, influence of DDTC, Antifoam B and oxygen addition. Possibilities of determination of zinc compounds by electrochemical generation were investigated at the end. Key words Electrochemical generation, volatile compounds, atomic absorption spectrometry, non- membrane flow-through electrolytic cell, quartz tube atomizer, copper, nickel, zinc
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The Study of ZnO Crystal Growth in Supersaturated Alkaline Solution
Bannert, Tomáš ; Máca, Josef (referee) ; Chladil, Ladislav (advisor)
This thesis deals with the study of growth of zinc oxide crystals from supersaturated solutions using a scanning electron microscope and XRD methods. The work is divided into a theoretical and an experimental part. The theoretical part analyses issues related to the principle of operation of electrochemical cells with an emphasis on Ni-Zn batteries and phenomena limiting the life and efficiency of Ni-Zn batteries with a focus on phenomena that affect precipitation processes of zinc oxide crystals. It also analyses and compares the appropriateness of the methods that have been used to study the growth of the prepared zinc oxide crystals. The experimental part describes the preparation of a supersaturated solution, the process of each analysis and its evaluation. The results of each method are compared with the theoretical assumptions and among themselves. The experimental part also contains a chapter dealing with the design of in situ X-ray diffraction analysis methods of the obtained zinc oxide crystals.
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