Summary This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the behaviour of high‐performance concretes after high temperature exposure. The high temperature exposure is related to the potential risk of fire, and mechanical properties analysis is needed afterwards to assess the residual strength of the material. The results presented in the paper show the properties evolution of four concretes made with four different aggregate types: basalt, granite, dolomite and riverbed gravel. The mix compositions allow comparisons, because the cement paste and mortar compositions and their volumes remain the same for all the four concretes. Moreover, the aggregate particle size distribution was chosen to be quasi identical so that this factor does not affect the concrete behaviour. The decrease of tensile strength value with the increase of temperature is more pronounced than compressive strength reduction thus, the exponential and power function equations were proposed to describe ftT–fcT relationship. The change of modulus of elasticity in relative values is similar, although the initial values of modulus are different and correspond to the aggregate type. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nanoparticles are commonly used in the industry and are present in consumer goods; therefore, evaluation of their potential toxicity is necessary. The aim of the present study was to assess the cytotoxic effects of the nanoparticles of silver (AgNPs) at the concentration of 1.5 mg L−1 and copper (CuNPs) at 0.15 mg L−1 on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes after 28 days of exposure. Histological analysis revealed dilated sinusoids, shrunken hepatocytes, nuclear necrosis, and increased number of Kupffer cells in the liver of fish exposed to nanoparticles. The lowest hepatocyte proliferation index was observed in fish treated with AgNPs. Ultrastructural studies revealed mitochondrial edema and cristolysis, dilated and loosened endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm vacuolation, accumulation of lipid droplets, glycogen depletion, and formation of myelin-like bodies. The results also revealed that the liver of fish exposed to copper nanoparticles showed higher regenerative potential indicated by higher proliferation index, more abundant glycogen, and more numerous Kupffer cells compared to the fish treated with silver nanoparticles.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three formulated diets: wheat gluten proteinbased diets supplemented with Lys^Gly dipeptide (PP) or free lisine and glycine (AA), and a control diet without lysine supplementation (CON), two commercial starters: Aller Futura (AF), Aglo Norse (AN) and frozen Chironomidae larvae (CH) for on the growth and digestive system development of rainbow trout. The experiment lasted 28 days and survival at the end of the experiment was the highest in the group fed AF (87.9 AE 4.2%) and the lowest in the group fed the CON diet (74.0 AE 4.3%). Fish fed the CON diet showed a signi¢cantly lower crude protein content, and the AA group had a signi¢cantly higher lipid level (P 0.05) in body carcass compared with the other groups. The highest density of intestinal goblet cells (P 0.05) was observed in ¢sh fed the CON diet, while the lowest density was seen in the distal intestine in the AF group. The hepatocyte cytoplasm of all ¢sh stored more glycogen than lipids. These results indicate that wheat gluten protein-based diets supplemented with dipeptide Lys^Gly (PP) or free lysine and glycine (AA) supported growth, protein e⁄ciency rate and intestine epithelium homeostasis. On the other hand, ¢sh fed CON (lysine-de¢cient diet) showed lower survival and growth rate, and disturbances of intestine epithelium homeostasis, probably as a result of lysine de¢ciency.

Three groups (wild-WS, semi-pond-SPS, and pond-cultured-PS) of ide Leuciscus idus (L.) were examined. Each group consisted of 30 females and 10 males, aged 5-8 years. All groups were stimulated with two agents: carp pituitary homogenate (CPH) and a synthetic hormonal preparation Ovopel. The amount of ovulating females decreased in conjunction with females' domestication level, mainly because of very low efficacy of CPH for pond-reared ide stimulation. The percentage of ovulating females stimulated with Ovopel (97.0 %) was significantly higher comparing to CPH (63.0 %). No significant differences were found in latency time between the groups but spawning synchronization increased in conjunction with ide domestication. The positive correlation between domestication level and latency time, i.e., the higher the domestication level, the higher the latency time, was stated. No significant differences were found in PGSI as well as in total volume of obtained eggs, but groups differed significantly in the number of dry eggs and in number of swollen egg. Significant negative correlation between domestication level and number of swollen eggs, i.e., the higher the domestication level, the lower the number of eggs, was detected. The survival rate at the eyed stage was the highest in WS group (60.4 %) and PS group (57.7 %), and was significantly higher than in SPS group (51.8 %). Eggs obtained after CPH stimulation had higher survival rate at the eyed-egg stage

The P-mercaptoethanol induced decondensation of spermatozoon cell nuclei from several Eutherian species has been followed from the intact spermatazoon cell to the solubilized linear unit sperm chromosomal fiber using fluorescence and electron microscopy. Data from nuclease digestion studies in conjunction with electron microscopic evidence indicate that the gross structure of the unit Eutherian sperm chromosomal fiber consists of DNA folded around sperm specific histone multimers spaced regularly along the fiber generating a linear array of sperm nucleosomes connected by short streLches of uncomplexed DNA. The sperm nucleosomes, 80 A in diameter are separated by 20 A filaments of DNA. This structure is remarkably similar to the structure of somatic chromatin although the protein components of the two chromosomes are markedly different. It seems likely that chromosomal fibers, similar to those described herein, may be present in the male pronucleus following fertilization.