Detonation Nanodiamond Soot-A Structurally Tailorable Hybrid Graphite/Nanodiamond Carbon-Based Material.

The results of a comprehensive investigation into the structure and properties of nanodiamond soot (NDS), obtained from the detonation of various explosive precursors (trinitrotoluene, a trinitrotoluene/hexogen mixture, and tetryl), are presented. The colloidal behavior of the NDS particles in different liquid media was studied. The results of the scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, and laser diffraction analysis suggested a similarity in the morphology of the NDS particle aggregates and agglomerates.

Does serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) influence the choice of turning direction in carps, Cyprinus carpio, in a T-maze?

Serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) can impair the formation of memory traces in mammals and fish. We have studied the influence of SMAP on behavioral lateralization of juvenile carps Cyprinus carpio in a T-maze without food reinforcement in three experimental groups (n = 8 each): (1) negative control (intact animals); (2) experimental group (fish injected ICV with SMAP; 2 μl, 1.2 mg ml(-1)) and (3) active control group (fish injected ICV with inactivated SMAP).

Influence of magnetic field on zebrafish activity and orientation in a plus maze.

We describe an impact of the geomagnetic field (GMF) and its modification on zebrafish's orientation and locomotor activity in a plus maze with four arms oriented to the north, east, south and west. Zebrafish's directional preferences were bimodal in GMF: they visited two arms oriented in opposed directions (east-west) most frequently. This bimodal preference remained stable for same individuals across experiments divided by several days.

Lateralisation of rotational swimming but not fast escape response in the juvenile sterlet sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus (Chondrostei: Acipenseridae).

For the first time, behavioural lateralisation was shown in a chondrostean fish (sterlet sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus). A significant directional bias was found in young A. ruthenus swimming along a circular swimway.

Individual-level consistency of different laterality measures in the goldbelly topminnow.

In humans, hemispheric language dominance is, to some degree, associated with handedness. Significant associations have been reported between several other lateralized functions. Much less is known about the organization of cerebral asymmetries in nonhuman species and, in particular, whether the presence of reversed asymmetry of one function is associated with a reversal of other lateralized functions or, instead, if cognitive functions lateralize independently.

Circadian variations in immune values and serum melatonin in asthmatics.

Circadian variations in the immune status and serum melatonin were studied in asthmatics during exacerbation stage before and after treatment. Deviations from the normal (donor) immunogram values at 9.00 and 21.