The transcription factor Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1) is crucial in multiple reproductive processes of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, including previtellogenesis, vitellogenesis, and oogenesis. This study explores the interaction between Kr-h1 and its potential associated proteins (KAPs), with a specific focus on the dimerization partner (DP-1), and how this interaction regulates gene expression pathways critical for mosquito reproduction. Utilizing RNA interference (RNAi), the research identifies DP-1 as a significant regulator of follicle growth post-eclosion (PE), highlighting its vital role in the mosquito reproductive regulatory pathway. The experimental approach included RNAi-mediated knockdown of DP-1, accompanied by evaluations using quantitative PCR (qPCR), Western blotting (WB), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), follicle length measurement, and egg counting to assess the role of DP-1 in reproductive functions. For the first time, the inhibition of DP-1 expression was found to significantly impede A. aegypti follicular development. The elucidation of the mechanistic roles of Kr-h1 and DP-1 provides valuable insights that could lead to innovative strategies for mosquito population control and effective disease vector management. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Mosquitoes can spread serious insect-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and malaria, etc. These diseases can infect hundreds of millions of individual and cause around a million of death annually. This study focuses on a specific mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, which is a major carrier of these diseases. To manage their populations and reduce the spread of these diseases, scientists are constantly seeking new methods to control their reproduction. Chemical insecticides are one of the most efficient and widely used strategies. However, these insecticides face significant challenges, including the development of resistance in mosquito populations and the potential damage to non-target species to affect the ecosystem. To address this issue, the development of new insecticides is crucial. We can identify new targets to pave the way to research novel effective insecticides. Inside mosquitoes, there are various proteins that help control their ability to reproduce. One of these proteins is called Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1). Kr-h1 plays a crucial role in the development and reproductive processes of mosquitoes. Our research looked at how Kr-h1 interacts with other types of protein to control mosquito reproduction. Through various experiments, including gene expression analysis and protein studies, we found that DP-1 is essential for the proper development of mosquito eggs. This insight helps us understand more about the biological processes and hormonal pathways during mosquito reproduction, therefore provide greater opportunity to develop insecticides to reduce their populations and the spread of the diseases they carry.

In this Thesis experimental studies of nano-clusters using synchrotron radiation based photoelectron (UPS and XPS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) are presented. The investigations may be divided into two parts where the first reports on the structure of heterogeneous two component clusters, and the second concerns electronic decay processes. Using photoelectron spectroscopies as investigative tools the radial composition of heteroclusters of argon mixed with xenon, krypton or neon has been determined. Two methods of heterogeneous cluster production were employed: co-expansion and doping/pick-up. By analyzing the line shapes, energy positions, and widths of the spectral cluster features the radial composition of the clusters produced by co-expansion were found to form close-to-equilibrium structures, placing the component with larger cohesive energy in the cluster core while the second component was to varying degree segregated toward the surface. By instead using the doping/pick-up technique the opposite radial structures, i.e. far-from-equilibrium structures, may be formed. In the case of argon/krypton clusters a similar surface structure is formed regardless of production technique. The second part of the Thesis concerns post-ionization decay processes. Experimental evidence for the Interatomic Coulombic Decay process, a theoretically predicted decay channel, is presented in a study of homogeneous neon clusters. The time scale of the decay was determined to 6±1 fs for bulk atoms and >30 fs for surface atoms in the neon cluster, showing the connection between local geometry and dynamics of the decay. Another channel for electronic relaxation is Auger decay. This Thesis presents a method of disentangling the spectral surface and bulk responses from clusters in Auger spectra. Studies of argon clusters show that the AES technique is more surface sensitive than XPS, even at the same electron kinetic energy. Furthermore, the effect scattering of the photoelectron has on the Auger spectra was investigated. Special effort was put into explaining an experimentally observed photon energy dependent intensity appearing on the high-kinetic energy side on the Auger signal. We propose that this intensity is due to a solid state-specific photoelectron recapture process we name Pre-Auger Recapture (PAR), which affects the kinetic energy of the Auger electrons.

<p>Ispitivan je generalisani Frenkel-Kontorova model pod&nbsp;dejstvom spolja&scaron;njih periodičnih sila,&nbsp;i njihov uticaj na &Scaron;apiro stepenike.&nbsp;Deformacija substratnog potencijala prouzrokuje&nbsp;pojavu velikih polucelih i drugih subharmonijskih&nbsp;stepenika u sistemu.&nbsp;Rezultati dobijeni u radu su od značaja&nbsp;u talasima i spinovima gustine naboja&nbsp;kao i u Džozefsonovim spojevima.</p> / <p>Properties of the Shapiro steps in dierent<br />commensurate structures of the ac + dc driven<br />Frenkel-Kontorova model with dierent generalized<br />substrate potential have been examined.<br />Deviation from the sinusoidal potential produces<br />appearance of large subharmonic steps.<br />Presented results could be of great importance<br />for thestudies of all real systems closely related<br />to the dissipative dynamics of the FK model<br />such as studies of the charge- or spin-density wave<br />systems and the systems of Josephson-junction arrays.</p>

La forme du noyau est une caractéristique fondamentale de la matière nucléaire. Les isotopes légers pairs-pairs du krypton possèdent la surprenante propriété de présenter deux minimas pour leur énergie potentielle correspondants à deux déformations opposées. Alors que l'état fondamental 0+ peut avoir une déformation allongée ou aplatie, un second minimum aplati ou allongé respectivement, se dessine à une énergie inférieure à 1 MeV. Un tel phénomène est appelé coexistence de formes. Une première indication expérimentale est l'observation du second minimum correspondant à un état 0+ excité. Celui-ci a été observé tout au long de la chaîne du krypton. Un calcul de mélange des configurations allongée et aplatie met en évidence un changement de forme important de l'état fondamental en fonction du nombre de neutrons. Celui-ci serait de déformation allongée pour les 76,74Kr et deviendrait aplati pour le 72Kr. Une mesure directe de la déformation de ces noyaux est l'étape indispensable pour confirmer ces hypothèses. Une série d'expériences d'excitation Coulombienne auprès du dispositif SPIRAL associé au multi-détecteur EXOGAM au GANIL a été réalisée. Lors de ces expériences, la statistique était suffisante pour extraire les moments quadripolaires intrinsèques de ces noyaux grâce au code GOSIA. Ils établissent le caractère allongé de l'état fondamental et un état excité aplati conformément au scénario de coexistence de formes. Une mesure par « plunger » des temps de vie des états excités complète cette étude. Une expérience a été réalisée à haute énergie auprès du spectromètre LISE au GANIL permettant une première estimation de la collectivité du noyau de 68Se qui présenterait les mêmes propriétés. L'ensemble des résultats obtenus est comparé à des calculs théoriques de type HFB+Sly6+GCM.

This thesis is one of the first works in the Czech language dealing with the personality and work of Marcus Cornelius Fronto, Roman rhetor of 2. century A. D. and teacher of Marcus Aurelius. After the palimpsest with the correspondence of Fronto was found in early 19th century, the reputation of this man suffered greatly. The man had been seen for many decades as superficial and flat archaisator, whose letters have no or only very little value for us. The aim of this tesis is to examinate the most problematical questions connected with Fronto, firstly his attitude to philosophy and the opinion, that archaism is the main and ubiquitous characteristic of his style. This theoretical treatise is accompanied with translation of several selected texts.

This thesis examines the forces that affect subjectivity in two novels by the author Philip K. Dick, Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said and The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. The close reading of these two novels makes use of postmodernist theory as its theoretical foundation. In these works, stable subjects are fractured through a series of disconcerting incidents originating in a “reality shift,” an event that sees the seemingly solid state of Dick’s speculative future worlds collapse. Split into three sections, this paper first positions Dick within a postmodernist tradition developed mainly by Lyotard, Hutcheon, and Baudrillard, supported by critics such as Sim, Malpas, and Kellner, among others. It then defines the reality shift and its underlying causes, three types of science fictional drugs across the two novels: Can-D, Chew-Z, and KR-3. Finally, this essay examines the full extent of Dick’s inquiry into subjectivity by exploring the metamorphoses the subjects of his novels endure.

Missing page viii. Page 171 was repeated with different text. / <p> The decay of 14.9 min. ⁸⁹Rb to levels in ⁸⁹Sr has been studied by use of Ge(Li) detectors, NaI(Tl) detectors and a magnetic beta ray spectrometer. Fourteen gamma rays have been studied by ɣ-ɣ and β-ɣ coincidence experiments and establish levels at 0, 1.031, 2,000, 2.277, 2.567, 2.708, 2.770, 3.225 and 3.500 MeV. The Q value is 4.486 ± .012 Mev. </p> <p> The techniques of beta and gamma ray spectroscopy using Ge(Li), NaI(Tl) and plastic beta detectors have been applied in the study of the decay of 3.2 min. ⁸⁹Kr to levels in ⁸⁹Rb. Seventy nine of the one hundred and eleven observed gamma rays have been classified in the proposed decay scheme. The Q value is 5.15 ± .03 MeV. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Female adults of many mosquito species possess distinct physiological features adapting to blood feeding for successful reproduction. The disease pathogens that are transmitted by mosquitoes have evolved to take advantages of the indispensable blood feedings to complete their transmission cycles and to survive attacks from the mosquito's innate immune system. Normal egg development and mosquito immunity are tightly controlled by tissue- and stage-specific gene expression and coordinated by many signal molecules in the mosquito. Understanding gene regulation affecting mosquito reproduction and malaria parasites infection is of paramount importance for developing novel malaria control strategies. A growing body of evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in egg maturation and immune reactions against invading pathogens in mosquitoes. However, the molecular mechanisms by which specific miRNAs selectively modulate reproduction and the survival of pathogens are largely unknown. The miRNA-induced gene-silencing pathway in mosquitoes was mostly extrapolated from the studies of flies. To explore the dynamics of miRNAs in reproduction, I used small RNAs sequencing to monitor miRNAs expression and their association with Argonaute 1 (Ago1) and Argonaute 2 (Ago2) in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae (An. gambiae) during the 72-h period immediately after blood feeding. I found the abundance and Ago loading of most of the mature miRNAs were relatively stable after blood ingestion. However, miRNAs of the miR-309/286/2944 cluster were considerably upregulated after blood feeding. I confirmed that miR-309 is essential for normal egg development by depletion of endogenous miR-309 with a specific antagomir. In addition, my results showed that the Ago association of some miRNAs was not proportional to their cellular abundance implying additional regulation at miRNA integration. To investigate the functional roles of miRNAs and define context-dependent miRNA-mRNA interactions during the reproductive process, I have applied an innovative experimental approach to study miRNA-mRNA interactome. CLEAR (covalent ligation of endogenous Argonaute-bound RNAs)-CLIP can generate miRNA-mRNA chimeras from UV-irradiation stabilized Ago-miRNA-mRNA complex. My results have defined tens of thousands of miRNA-mRNA interactions in mosquitoes, including novel targets for mosquito-specific miRNAs. Verification of the predicted interactions using mRNA-seq, ribosome-profiling, and luciferase reporter assay revealed a reliable miRNA-mRNA interaction network. Based on the detected interactions, I refined the paring rules for mosquito miRNAs and illustrated the dynamic pairing between different regions of miRNAs with their targets in vivo. The miRNA-mRNA interactions were compared using this approach at multiple time points before and after blood feeding. Importantly, this study showed that the interactions were dynamic and enriched in genes that are involved in metabolisms, supporting the proposed functions of miRNAs in coordinating the gene regulation in mosquito reproduction. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) is a major human malaria parasite. To understand the functions of miRNAs in the mosquito resistance to Plasmodium infection, we analyzed the miRNA-mRNA interactions after female mosquitoes taking a P. falciparum-infected blood meal or an uninfected blood meal. Comparison of the interactions revealed enhanced miRNA-mRNA interactions after P. falciparum infection involving a group of immunity-related genes. In summary, this study has provided a systematic view and significantly advanced our understanding of the miRNA functions in mosquito reproduction and P. falciparum infection. / PHD

The vibrational wave-packet dynamics of diatomic rubidium molecules (Rb2) in triplet states formed on the surface of superfluid helium nanodroplets is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Detailed comparison of experimental femtosecond pump–probe spectra with dissipative quantum dynamics simulations reveals that vibrational relaxation is the main source of dephasing. The rate constant for vibrational relaxation in the first excited triplet state 13Σ+g is found to be constant γ ≈ 0.5 ns−1 for the lowest vibrational levels v [less, similar] 15 and to increase sharply when exciting to higher energies. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Die vorliegende Dissertation befasst sich mit der Anwendung und Weiterentwicklung der CARS -Mikroskopie (CARS, (Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering)) zur Lokalisierung von Wirkstoffen in Zellen. Aufgrund einer C-Deuterierung dieser Wirkstoffe werden diese intrinsisch markiert und lassen sich nicht-invasiv mit Hilfe Raman-basierter Mikrospektroskopietechniken von Zellbestandteilen unterscheiden. Diese Arbeit widmet sich der für biomedizinische Anwendungen zu geringen Sensitivität und zu hohen Komplexität des experimentellen Aufbaus für CARS-Mikroskopie. Auf der Anwendungsseite wurdenzunächst mittels quantitativer Raman- und CARS- Mikroskopie die Detektionsgrenzen C-deuterierter Stoffe bestimmt. Anhand von mit deuterierter Fettsäure inkubierter Makrophagen wurde chemischer Kontrast in Zellen qualitativ gezeigt. Die Weiterentwicklung des experimentellen Aufbaus erfolgte durch den Einsatz von Impulsformern. Diese können das Anregungslicht in Amplitude und Phase formen und somit den Schwingungskontrast optimieren und den experimentellen Aufbau vereinfachen. Verwendet wurden dabei sowohl ein spatial light modulator (SLM) als auch ein akustooptischer Modulator (AOM), die in dieser Arbeit miteinander verglichen werden. Mit Hilfe einer photonischen Kristallfaser als spektral breite Lichtquelle und des AOM als spektraler Filter konnte der Aufbau vereinfacht und ein Schema zur Implementierung von Quasi-Multiplex CARS-Mikroskopie aufgebaut werden, welches ein schnelles Schalten zwischen verschiedenen bildgebenden Raman-Banden erlaubt. Die automatisierte Optimierung des Schwingungskontrasts erfolgte schließlich durch den Einsatz des SLM, der mit Hilfe eines selbstlernenden Algorithmus den Schwingungskontrast von CARS-Bildern um bis zu 160 % verbessern konnte.