A cyclic lipopeptide from Fusarium graminearum targets plant membranes to promote virulence.

Microbial plant pathogens deploy amphipathic cyclic lipopeptides to reduce surface tension in their environment. While plants can detect these molecules to activate cellular stress responses, the role of these lipopeptides or associated host responses in pathogenesis are not fully clear. The gramillin cyclic lipopeptide is produced by the Fusarium graminearum fungus and is a virulence factor and toxin in maize.

INFLUENCE OF AIRWAY GEOMETRY ON RADON RISK ASSESSMENT IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN (MICRODOSIMETRIC APPROACH).

The aim of this work was to use the microdosimetric threshold energy model to study the effects of alpha-emitting 222Rn progeny on the probability of developing lung cancer. The results suggest that the radiation risk may increase by several times as the thickness of the surface layer decreases. The thicker the protective mucus layer and the deeper the sensitive target cells are located in the tissue, the less radiation damage the same dose produces.

RADON MONITORING IN SELECTED KINDERGARTENS IN SLOVAKIA.

In 17 kindergartens in Slovakia indoor radon survey was performed over a period of 1 y. In selected kindergartens also continuous monitoring of indoor radon activity concentration was conducted for ~2 weeks, as well as soil radon measurements. Annual average of indoor radon concentration, measured using track detectors, ranged between 75 and 1810 Bq m-3.

RADON-PRONE AREAS IN SLOVAKIA PREDICTED BY RESCALED RADON POTENTIAL MAPS.

Several scientific studies have shown that high content of radon in the soil environment can be a precursor of increased indoor radon levels. Inhabited areas where elevated indoor radon concentration appears for natural (geogenic) reasons are commonly referred to as radon-prone areas. In this study, radon-prone areas in the Slovak Republic were predicted on the basis of radon potential maps after its specific rescaling.

STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE AND GRAIN SIZE ON RADON EMANATION FROM SOIL USING AN ADVANCED MULTIGRAIN MODEL.

Among the most important factors that influence radon emanation from soil particles is the soil moisture and grain size. Both components, in its own way, modify the length of a trajectory that radon atom pass through in a volume of the soil pores. To better understand their impact on an emanation, we have developed our own computer program that can simulate the 222Rn emanation process in the soil environment, using an idea of a multigrain model.

EMANATION OF RADON-222 FROM DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES AND SOIL GROUPS.

In this paper, we deal with measurement of 222Rn emanation coefficient (Ke) of soils using an accumulation method. We created a database of Ke values of dried soils for various soil types and soil groups, classified by the size of soil particles. For 18 different soil samples we obtained the Ke values in range 0.

The German Organ Transplant Scandal - Unwritten rules of organizational wrongdoings.

Using data from organ transplant medicine in Germany, we propose a method for understanding the content of unwritten rules supportive of violations of written rules in light of the "German Organ Transplant Scandal". Grounded in the sociology of organizational crime, we reconstruct the cultural repertoires of medical professionals working with organ allocation when confronted with the applicable guidelines using collective mindset analysis. Four dimensions of cognitive and normative rules of interpretation were identified and discussed as a an occupational-professional form of deviance.

DEVELOPMENT OF 222RN IN AIR SECONDARY STANDARD IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC.

Slovak Institute of Metrology received in 2016 funding for realisation of a set up of a radon chamber with AlphaGUARD as a secondary standard of 222Rn in air as one part of the project. This secondary standard will serve to provide the traceability for laboratories that deal with 222Rn measurements in environmental samples. This project is a response to the European Union legislation and provides metrological support for the development and implementation of the national radon action plan, which the member states of the European Union are committed to fulfil in accordance with Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom.

RESULTS OF LONG-TERM RADON MONITORING IN THE TYPICAL SLOVAK FAMILY HOUSE-A CASE STUDY.

This case study provides a view of the behavior of radon in an uninhabited house, the likes of which were built in thousands in Slovakia between 1950 and 1990. In one room of the house that was in contact with the subsoil, an average annual radon activity concentration (RAC) as high as 1088 Bq m-3 was found. A high radon supply to this room from the subsoil was identified in the corner of the room, and this correlated very well with the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor air.

ANALYSIS OF TIME SERIES OF RADON ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN OUTDOOR AIR AND THEIR RECONSTRUCTION.

222Rn (radon) is an ever-present radioactive component of the surface layer of the atmosphere. The knowledge of the shape of radon activity concentration (RAC) time series has several important applications in atmospheric studies. This study presents the results of RAC analysis according to Garzon et al.

Evaluation of Pesticide Residue Dynamics in Lettuce, Onion, Leek, Carrot and Parsley.

The dynamics of 32 active substances contained in pesticide formulations (15 fungicides and 17 insecticides) were analyzed in iceberg lettuce, onion, leek, carrot, and parsley. Pesticide residues were monitored from the time of application until harvest. In total, 114 mathematical models of residue dissipation were developed using a first-order kinetic equation.

DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF DEVICES FOR CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF RADON ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN WATERS.

Continuous radon measurement in waters is an appropriate tool for the study of its variations as well as for the clarification and understanding of the factors that cause these changes. In addition, sudden changes in radon activity concentration (RAC) in groundwater can be used to identify geodynamic activities and earthquake predictions. In this paper, two measuring systems for continuous monitoring of RAC in waters are presented and tested.

RADON ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN WATERS OF SPRINGS IN SELECTED AREAS OF WESTERN SLOVAKIA.

This paper presents the results of measurements of radon activity concentration (RAC) in spring waters and natural wells in three mountains of Slovakia (Strážov Mountains, Považský Inovec and Little Carpathians). These mountains provide drinking water for inhabitants of surrounding towns and villages. Little Carpathians is the most seismically active area in Slovakia.

LUNG REGENERATION IN ABSTAINING SMOKERS.

Smoking modifies morphological and physiological parameters of the lungs. Due to the irritation of airways, the natural self-cleaning ability of the lungs is impaired. The mucus accumulates in the airways and various infections develop, leading to chronic bronchitis.

VARIATION OF RADON ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN SELECTED KINDERGARTENS IN SLOVAKIA.

Radon measurements were carried out in four kindergartens in Slovakia. RSKS detectors (Radosys Ltd., Hungary) and RamaRn (SUJCHBO, Czech Republic) were used for integral measurement in indoor air.

Radon as a Tracer of Lung Changes Induced by Smoking.

After smoking, exposure to radon and its progeny is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The probability of inducing lung carcinomas by inhaled radon progeny depends on the deposited radiation dose, and is significantly affected by physiological and morphometric changes induced by smoking. Due to irritation of the airways, the inhalation of cigarette smoke leads to the hyperproduction of mucus.

On the relation between outdoor Rn and atmospheric stability determined by a modified Turner method.

In practice, information about atmospheric stability is often obtained from discrete stability classes determined from routine meteorological observations. However, changing concentrations of the radioactive gas Rn present in the atmosphere are also considered a good indicator of vertical dispersion and atmospheric stability. A complex, in-depth analysis between these different approaches of atmospheric stability assessment has not been performed so far, and was the main motivation behind this study.

Preliminary Results of Radon Survey in the Kindergartens of V4 Countries.

The measurements of radon concentration were carried out in kindergartens of V4 countries (Hungary, Poland and Slovakia). RSKS detectors (Radosys Ltd., Hungary) were used for integrating measurement in indoor air.

MULTI-YEAR MONITORING OF RADON IN BOREHOLES AT THE MODRA GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY, SLOVAKIA.

Long-term radon monitoring was performed in two boreholes, at a depth of 13 m in the 40 m deep V-2 borehole (August 2003-September 2005), and at 3 m depth in the 10 m deep V-3 borehole (August 2003-April 2008). Diurnal, multi-day and annual variations in radon time-series were observed. Daily average of radon activity in V-2 borehole was significantly higher and ranged from 6.

RADON CONCENTRATIONS IN SELECTED THERMAL WATERS IN SLOVAKIA.

Radon concentration in thermal waters used in selected spas and aqua parks in Slovakia was investigated. In total, 23 thermal water sources were monitored. Measured radon levels varied in a large interval, from 4.

COMPARISON OF VARIOUS APPROACHES TO DETERMINING CO2 FLUXES FROM THE SOIL BY 222Rn CALIBRATED METHOD.

Various approaches of determining CO2 fluxes from the soil based on 222Rn calibrated method were tested. It was shown that the exponential fits of CO2 and 222Rn depth profiles led to uncertainties up to 50% if the depth profiles of CO2 and 222Rn concentration were not measured at sufficient depths. However, CO2 fluxes determined from linear fits of CO2 and 222Rn concentrations in the surface layer of the soil are lower than the fluxes determined from exponential fits, and have lower uncertainties.

RADIATION EXPOSURE OF THE POPULATION FROM 222Rn AND OTHER NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES AROUND MOCHOVCE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, SLOVAKIA.

In this article, the effective dose to the population from natural sources of ionizing radiation in the vicinity of Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia is presented. All major contributions to the effective dose were taken into account, including the contributions from gamma radiation of soil and rocks, cosmic radiation, and indoor and outdoor radon and thoron. On the basis of recent indoor radon measurements in Slovak cities and publicly available data about radon concentration in the soil air, a roughly linear relationship was found between these variables.

Evaluation of pesticide residue dynamics in Chinese cabbage, head cabbage and cauliflower.

Pesticide residues from the time of application until harvest were analysed for 20, 17 and 18 active insecticidal and fungicidal substances in Chinese cabbage, head cabbage and cauliflower, respectively. In total, 40 mathematical models of residue degradation were developed using a first-order kinetic equation, and from these models it was possible to forecast the action pre-harvest interval for a given action threshold for low-residue production in Brassica vegetables as a percentage of the maximum residue level. Additionally, it was possible to establish an action pre-harvest interval based on an action threshold of 0.

The BiPo-3 detector.

The BiPo-3 detector is a low radioactive detector dedicated to measuring ultra-low natural contaminations of Tl and Bi in thin materials, initially developed to measure the radiopurity of the double β decay source foils of the SuperNEMO experiment at the μBq/kg level. The BiPo-3 technique consists in installing the foil of interest between two thin ultra-radiopure scintillators coupled to low radioactive photomultipliers. The design and performances of the detector are presented.

Long-term variations of radionuclides in the Bratislava air.

Variations of aerosol radionuclides (2001-2015) in the ground-level air in Bratislava (Slovakia) showed Be maxima in spring/early summer and minima in winter, however, an inverse trend was observed for Pb, Cs and K. A decreasing amplitude and splitting of summer maxima for Be in the last years has been found. A temporal behavior of the Be/Pb activity ratio showed higher levels during warm seasons due to vertical convection of air masses from higher altitudes.