OBJECTIVES: This article proposes a new approach, called the "similarity coefficient" (SC) for verifying family relationships from skeletal remains using nonmetric traits. Based on this method and further analyses, the authors aim to show the degree of similarity between individuals with varying degrees of kinship, including inbred individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our sample includes the skeletal remains of 34 individuals with known genealogical data (four generations, 19th to 20th centuries). A total of 243 skeletal nonmetric traits were evaluated with respect to their anatomical characteristics. The SC was calculated by quantifying the agreement of trait occurrence between individuals. We also identified the traits that support the biological relationships of particular individuals by accounting for their population frequencies. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the morphological similarity of biologically related individuals and their biological distance. In some cases, we found greater degree of morphological similarity between first cousins than among other close relatives such as parents and children. At the same time, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of similarity between inbred individuals and common relatives. Proven family relationships were best reflected by cranial traits, especially bone bridges associated with the courses of blood vessels and nerves. CONCLUSIONS: The use of skeletal nonmetric traits for the detection of relatives is possible. There is a relationship between biological distance and the degree of morphological similarity in related individuals. It also appears that inbreeding, despite previous assumptions, does not lead to a significant reduction in morphological variation.

• Klíčová slova
• genealogical documented sample, inbreeding, kinship analysis, morphological nonmetric traits, similarity coefficient,
• MeSH
• antropologie fyzická metody   MeSH
• antropometrie MeSH
• běloši * MeSH
• dějiny 19. století MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• genealogie a heraldika * MeSH
• inbreeding MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• rodina * MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny 19. století MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The aim of the article is to compare two classifications systems of engineering-geological environment sustainability in terms of its permeability evaluated on the basis of permeability coefficient. The first evaluated classification assumes a permeable environment to be a positive characteristic in the engineering-geological assessment, while the other considers an impermeable environment as favourable. The four fine-grained soil materials were selected, as they had very similar, almost identical grains-size distribution, but different microstructure characterized by grains sphericity, angularity, and roughness. At the same time, the influence of changes in the density of soil materials (density index 10%, 30%, 60%, 90%) was analysed. Permeability coefficient was determined using six methods (empirical formulae, laboratory and microscopic analysis). The laboratory method falling head test (FHT) was taken as a reference test that reflected the actual water flow through the soil. It was found that with an increase in grain angularity and roughness (and a decrease in sphericity), the permeability coefficient was decreasing and this trend culminated along with gradual compaction. Moreover, the research shows that unsuitable methods may classify soil materials into wrong engineering-geological permeability classes, which may have negative consequences during engineering-geological or geotechnical assessment and cause subsequent problems in foundation engineering.

• Klíčová slova
• Kozeny-Carman Formula, Seelheim Formula, Slichter Formula, engineering geology, fine-grained soils, laboratory soil permeability testing, methods of permeability coefficient determination, scanning electron microscope technique, soil microstructure, soil permeability,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

A novel QSAR approach based on quantum similarity measures was developed and tested in this paper. This approach consists of replacing the usual physicochemical parameters employed in QSAR analysis, such as octanol-water partition coefficient or Hammett sigma constant, by appropriate quantum chemical descriptors. The methodological basis for this substitution is found in recent theoretical studies [J. Comput. Chem. 1998, 19, 1575-1583, J. Comput. -Aided Mol. Des. 1999, 13, 259-270], in which it was demonstrated that both molecular hydrophobic character and electronic substituent effect can be modeled by appropriately chosen quantum self-similarity measures (QS-SM). The most important aim of this study was to prove that selected QS-SM descriptors can be advantageously used in empirical QSAR analysis instead of classical descriptors. For this purpose several QSAR correlations are proposed, in which empirical descriptors such as Hammett sigma constants or log P values are replaced by the appropriate QS-SM. These examples involve: (i) a set of benzenesulfonamides which bind to human carbonic anhydrase, (ii) a set of benzylamines as competitive inhibitors of the enzyme trypsin, and (iii) a set of indole derivatives which are benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist site ligands. Simple linear QSAR models were developed in order to obtain mathematical relationships between the biological activity and the pertinent quantum chemical descriptors. The validity of the obtained QSAR models is supported by comparison of the observed and predicted values of the biological activity and by a statistical analysis based on a randomization test.

• MeSH
• benzylaminy chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• chemické modely * MeSH
• indoly chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• sulfonamidy chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• benzylaminy MeSH
• indoly MeSH
• sulfonamidy MeSH

Twenty isolates of Central European encephalitis (CEE) virus were compared with 20 isolates of louping-ill (LI) virus in indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT), using a panel of 17 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) prepared against the prototype LI virus. Three Asian members of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex were also included in the comparison: Turkish sheep encephalitis (TSE), Russian spring-summer encephalitis (RSSE) and Langat (LGT) viruses. Antigenic relationships of the viruses were evaluated by Dice similarity coefficient and cluster analysis. The results revealed antigenic heterogeneity of LI isolates, antigenic homogeneity of CEE isolates, and indicated that CEE and LI are related varieties of Eurasian TBE flavivirus that also includes TSE and RSSE strains.

• MeSH
• antigeny virové klasifikace   imunologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky imunologie   MeSH
• myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protilátky virové imunologie   MeSH
• sérotypizace MeSH
• viry klíšťové encefalitidy klasifikace   imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antigeny virové MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky MeSH
• protilátky virové MeSH

Skeletal developmental anomalies (SDA) are a subject of constant interest across scientific disciplines, but still mostly as isolates and curiosities. The aim of this study was to find out to what extent the occurrence of SDA reflects documented biological relationships. The skeletal remains of 34 individuals with known genealogical data were available, members of one family over four generations (19th to 20th centuries, Bohemia, Czech Republic), including some inbred individuals. The occurrence of 89 SDA was assessed on the basis of scopic morphological evaluation and X-ray and CT examinations. The degree of similarity between individuals was calculated using a "similarity coefficient" (SC). A linear model was used to test the relationship between positive values of the SC and the relatedness of biologically related individuals. Simultaneously, based on population frequencies of the evaluated anomalies, those that could be considered familial were recorded. A statistically significant relationship between morphological similarity and the biological distance between individuals was found. The greatest similarity was found among close relatives such as parents and children, siblings, or grandparents and grandchildren. The effect of increased consanguinity on the occurrence of anomalies was not confirmed, however. Seventeen SDA shared by closely related individuals were found in the sample, supporting the documented family relationships among them. Eleven of these were selected as possibly familial, but only five were statistically significant: an elongated styloid process, a cervical block vertebrae (arch, facet joints), hamate hamulus aplasia, anteater nose sign, and incomplete fusion of the S1 spinous process. There were also 28 cases of individual occurrences of 17 different SDA, without connection to the documented relationships between individuals.

• Klíčová slova
• biodistance, heredity, inbreeding, ossification, similarity coefficient,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• krční obratle * MeSH
• krk MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• spánková kost MeSH
• tělesné pozůstatky * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Since the dawn of quantitative structure-properties relationships (QSPR), empirical parameters related to structural, electronic and hydrophobic molecular properties have been used as molecular descriptors to determine such relationships. Among all these parameters, Hammett sigma constants and the logarithm of the octanol-water partition coefficient, log P, have been massively employed in QSPR studies. In the present paper, a new molecular descriptor, based on quantum similarity measures (QSM), is proposed as a general substitute of these empirical parameters. This work continues previous analyses related to the use of QSM to QSPR, introducing molecular quantum self-similarity measures (MQS-SM) as a single working parameter in some cases. The use of MQS-SM as a molecular descriptor is first confirmed from the correlation with the aforementioned empirical parameters. The Hammett equation has been examined using MQS-SM for a series of substituted carboxylic acids. Then, for a series of aliphatic alcohols and acetic acid esters, log P values have been correlated with the self-similarity measure between density functions in water and octanol of a given molecule. And finally, some examples and applications of MQS-SM to determine QSAR are presented. In all studied cases MQS-SM appeared to be excellent molecular descriptors usable in general QSPR applications of chemical interest.

• MeSH
• kvantová teorie MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of techniques of molecular similarity as an alternative method for estimation of both acute toxicity of chemicals and their partition coefficients. The technique of atom pairs was chosen. A series of aliphatic alcohols was treated. Acute toxicity was determined by the express laboratory method as the EC50 (inhibition of movement of the worms Tubifex tubifex). Partition coefficients were determined between oil and gas. The calculated results were sufficiently close to both experimental results and the estimates calculated by a technique of QSAR analysis.

• MeSH
• akutní nemoc MeSH
• alkoholy chemie   toxicita   MeSH
• chemické modely MeSH
• chromatografie plynová metody   normy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární struktura * MeSH
• otrava alkoholem etiologie   MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• regresní analýza MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• toxikologie metody   normy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alkoholy MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of similarity of biologically related individuals according to the occurrence of skeletal developmental anomalies (SDA), to see whether these anomalies reflect documented biological relationships. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consists of the skeletal remains of seven members of the noble Swéerts-Sporck family from the 17th-20th centuries. Eighty-nine SDA were examined using morphological assessment, X-ray and CT. The degree of similarity was calculated using a similarity coefficient (Cvrček et al., 2018). RESULTS: There were three shared SDA in the sample (cranial shift at the C-T border, cervical ribs, hypoplasia of rib 12), and another fifteen individual SDA were reported. The degree of similarity between individuals supports their documented relationships. The greatest similarity was found in closely related individuals such as father/son or siblings, and the least between unrelated individuals. CONCLUSIONS: SDA can be used as a supportive tool for detecting family relationships. The results correspond to the conclusions of earlier analyses of non-metric traits and frontal sinuses in the same sample: the smaller the biological distance between individuals, the greater the degree of their similarity. SIGNIFICANCE: Using unique human skeletal collections, this communication contributes to the expansion of knowledge about the familial occurrence of SDA. LIMITATIONS: The small number of individuals limits the use of statistical approaches. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: The results call for research on this topic using a larger sample with known genealogical data and the same approaches, to confirm our conclusions.

• Klíčová slova
• Aristocracy, Biological distance, Genealogically documented sample, Inbreeding, Similarity coefficient,
• MeSH
• lebka * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• sinus frontalis * MeSH
• tělesné pozůstatky MeSH
• žebra MeSH
• znalosti MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The Kullback-Leibler (KL) information distance is proposed for judging similarity between two different interspike interval (ISI) distributions. The method is applied by a comparison of four common ISI descriptors with an exponential model which is characterized by the highest entropy. Under the condition of equal mean ISI values, the KL distance corresponds to information gain coming from the state described by the exponential distribution to the state described by the chosen ISI model. It has been shown that information can be transmitted changing neither the spike rate nor coefficient of variation (CV). Furthermore the KL distance offer an indication of the exponentiality of the chosen ISI descriptor (or data): the distance is zero if, and only if, the ISIs are distributed exponentially. Finally an application on experimental data coming from the olfactory sensory neurons of rats is shown.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály fyziologie   MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• čichové buňky fyziologie   MeSH
• elektrická stimulace metody   MeSH
• entropie MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• modely neurologické * MeSH
• neurony fyziologie   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování signálu * MeSH
• reakční čas fyziologie   MeSH
• stochastické procesy MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

• MeSH
• kvasinky klasifikace   MeSH
• matematika * MeSH
• metody MeSH
• Saccharomyces klasifikace   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH