Phototaxis is a phenomenon where cyanobacteria move toward light source. Previous studies have shown that the blue-light-using-flavin (BLUF)-type photoreceptor PixD and response regulator-like protein PixE control phototaxis in cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The pixD-null mutant moves away from light, whereas WT, pixE mutant, pixD double light. This indicates functions downstream of...

Over the past several years, there has been an alarming increase in the death rate of some Florida alligators and a large decrease in the hatch rate of eggs. Several studies have been conducted to try to find a cause. These studies have ruled out toxins in the environment and high levels of toxic metals (mercury, for example). A previous study using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analys...

The elemental distributions over epidermal skin cross sections as revealed by proton probe analysis on cryosections from human skin provides new insight into the physiology of skin. The present investigation shows that in comparison with skin from non-afflicted individuals nonlesional skin from psoriatics reveals abnormality (higher than normal levels) in calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). ...

The systematic determination of trace-element concentrations in honey samples was done by the PIXE method using a 2 MeV proton beam and by the total reflection XRF method. The different kinds of honey samples were collected in the period of spring–summer in three places of Poland: in the centre of Warsaw (a highly polluted region) and about 100 km east of Warsaw and 70 km southwest of Warsaw (a...

We investigated element accumulation in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices. Fungal spores and mycelia growing in monoxenic cultures were analyzed. The elemental composition was quantified using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) in combination with scanning transmission ion microscopy. In the spores, Ca and Fe were associated mainly with the spore wall, while P and K show...

The determination of particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) cross sections and the concentration of elements in a material require the knowledge of the target sample thickness. In this aim, measurements of the thickness by three different methods have been performed. These are absorption of X-rays by a 55 Fe source, transmission of alpha particles by a 241 Am source and Rutherford backscatterin...

Several radioactive particles from the Palomares area have been analyzed with the nuclear microprobe of the National Accelerator Centre (CNA) in Seville exploring the advantages of combining -PIXE using a 5.5MeV 4He beam with conventional -PIXE analysis using 3MeV protons. The measurements performed with the -particles are more sensitive to the sample surface, while the results collected with p...

background: proton induced x-ray emission (pixe) has been applied as reliable and improved techniques in this study to compare concentration of various trace elements in normal and abnormal varicose veins. materials and methods: five samples from normal veins and 13 samples from varicose veins bombarded by 2.0 mev energy proton beams produced by a van de graff accelerator in vacuum. two specime...