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Presented for the first time is a reconstruction of the skull of Diadectes (Diadectomorpha) based on several specimens of a single species Diadectes absitus from the early Permian of central Germany. Since its first discovery at the end of the 19th century the only reconstructions of the skull of Diadectes were without specific designation, despite a rich Permo-Carboniferous fossil record. The skull of D. absitus is reconstructed in dorsal, lateral, posterior, and ventral views and includes exocranial and endocranial elements. The reconstructions of Diadectes presented here are compared with those of all other authors, and the differences are analysed and discussed. The comparisons recognised three features not recorded in other species of Diadectes: (1) anterior and posterior margins of the transverse process of the pterygoid parallel one another; (2) the angle between the posterior margin of the transverse process and the lateral margin of the quadrate ramus of the pterygoid is sharply defined; and (3) the anterior ventral margin of the transverse process of the pterygoid bears a distinct sharp ridge. These characters are discussed in the context of the skull anatomy of Diadectes and inaccuracies in previous cranial reconstructions of the genus are rectified.

Alienopterixinae subfam. n. (with Alienopterix Mlynský et al. in Vrsanský et al. (2018), Nadveruzenie gen. n., Vzrkadlenie Vrsanský in Sendi et al. (2020) and Enervipraeala Luo, Xu et Jarzembowski, 2020) is proposed to house alienopterids with fully developed tegmina (symplesiomorphy with all Umenocoleidae) and a compact uniform pronotum (plesiomorphy). At least seven distinct morphological species in this complex are preserved in burmite. Alienopterix smidovae Hinkelman, sp. n./ Alienopterix mlynskyi Sendi, sp. n. possess autapomorphies, such as the absence of coloration and bunky organised in transverse rows, complex pronotum and red eye coloration respectively. Both species exhibit grooved forewing structure similar to unrelated Melyroidea Shelford, 1912 with metallic coloration. A male (unformalised) with short, symmetrical and multisegmented styli is identified for the first time. Bootstrap analysis of Umenocoleoidea now further diminishes differences between Umenocoleidae and Alienopteridae, revealia lack of structure and hierarchy in combined morphological data, while retaining structure when restricted to species from one locality. Nadveruzenie postava Vrsansky, Hinkelman et Sendi, gen. et sp. n. is described, autapomorphies include extremely thin cerci, fenestrate structure of forewings with structured fore margin and absent clavus, similar to living genus Aclavoidea Vidlicka et Vrsanský in Hinkelman et al. (2020). Diversity index within Umenocoleoidea (disregarding dominant Jantaropterix and Perspicuus pilosus Koubova in Koubova and Mlynský (2020) in burmite is near 1.0. Blattocoprolites alienopterixmlynskyi and Blattocoprolites jantaropterixellenbergeri Hinkelman, ichnospp. n., preserved and partially protruding coprolites, document defecation during burial.

(1) Teeth, represent in humans the most resilient tissues. However, exposure to concentrated acids might lead to their obliteration, thus making human identification difficult. Teeth often contain dental restorations from materials that are even more resilient to acid impact. This paper introduces novel method of 3D reconstruction of dental patterns as a crucial step for digital identification with dental records.; (2) With combination of modern methods of Micro-Computer Tomography, Cone Beam Computer Tomography, Attenuated Total Reflection in conjunction with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Artificial Intelligence Convolutional Neural Network algorithms, the paper presents the way of 3D dental pattern reconstruction and human remains identification. Research studies morphology of teeth, bone, and dental materials (Amalgam, Composite, Glass-ionomer cement) under different periods of exposure to 75% sulfuric acid; (3) Results reveal significant volume loss in bone, enamel, dentine, and as well glass-ionomer cement. Results also reveal significant resistance of composite and amalgam dental materials to sulfuric acid impact, thus serving as strong parts in the dental pattern mosaic. Paper also introduces probably first successful artificial intelligence application in automated forensic CBCT segmentation.; (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation utilizing mentioned technologies can solve problem of human remains identification with 3D reconstruction of dental patterns and their 2D projections over existing ante-mortem records.

(1) Human teeth are the most resilient tissues in the body. However, exposure to concentrated acids might lead to their obliteration, thus making human identification difficult. Teeth often contain dental restorations from materials that are even more resilient to acid impact. This paper introduces novel method of 3D reconstruction of dental patterns as a crucial step for digital identification with dental records.; (2) With combination of modern methods of Micro-Computed Tomography, Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Attenuated Total Reflection in conjunction with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Artificial Intelligence Convolutional Neural Network algorithms, the paper presents the way of 3D dental pattern reconstruction and human remains identification. Research studies morphology of teeth, bone and dental materials (Amalgam, Composite, Glass-ionomer cement) under different periods of exposure to 75% sulfuric acid; (3) Results reveal significant volume loss in bone, enamel, dentine and as well glass-ionomer cement. Results also reveal significant resistance of composite and amalgam dental materials to sulfuric acid impact, thus serving as strong parts in the dental pattern mosaic. Paper also introduces probably first successful artificial intelligence application in automated forensic CBCT segmentation.; (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation utilizing mentioned technologies can solve problem of human remains identification with 3D reconstruction of dental patterns and their 2D projections over existing ante-mortem records.

We present a detailed anatomy of the pectoral girdles, pelvic girdles, and hindlimbs of adult and juvenile specimens of Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775). We compared the individual bones of the appendicular skeleton of P. apodus with those of Anguis fragilis and species of Ophisaurus living in North America, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. We found no anatomical features in P. apodus in common with the species of Ophisaurus living in only North America, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Additionally, we present the prehatching ontogeny of the pelvic girdle of P. apodus and A. fragilis and the prehatching ontogeny of the hindlimb of P. apodus. In the ontogeny of the pelvic girdle of P. apodus, it is possible to distinguish the ossification centers of ilium, ischium, and pubis. In contrast, in the ontogeny of A. fragilis, no ossification centers of ilium, ischium, and pubis are present, and no hindlimb element was detected. In Stage 1 of ontogeny in Pseudopus, the femur and tibia are present; in Stage 2, the nodule representing the fibula appears; and in Stage 3, in addition to the femur, tibia, and fibula, four tarsal elements are present. This anatomical condition corresponds to the anatomical composition of the hindlimb of the adult O. koellikeri. In Stage 4, the involution of all tarsal elements and fibula begins, and in the last two prehatching stages, only femur and tibia remain; this condition is present not only in the adults of Pseudopus, but also in those of several other species of Ophisaurus.

A detailed anatomy of the braincase and stapes of the subadult specimen of Diadectes absitus from early Permian sediments of Germany are described for the first time based on the high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography. In contrast to previous studies of Diadectes, the bones of the braincase (opisthotic, prootic, supraoccipital, basioccipital, exoccipital, basisphenoid, and sphenethmoid), and parasphenoid of D. absitus are not co-ossified, but suturally defined. This has allowed for a reconstruction of a complete braincase with all sutures between the individual bones. The opisthotic, prootic, and supraocciptal contain a well-preserved endosseous labyrinth. The three-dimensional-reconstruction of its cavities shows a well-preserved vestibule, three semicircular canals, and well-developed cochlear recess. In addition, a shallow subarcuate fossa is present on the ventral surface of the supraoccipital, which lies medial to the anterior semicircular canal. A typical feature of the diadectid braincase is the presence of the otic tube leading from the fenestra vestibuli to the vestibule. A revision of the topology of this structure is presented here. Here, we describe new structures of the stapes, especially in its proximal portion, as well as its position to the fenestra vestibuli. These structures are described for the first time not only in D. absitus, but for the genus.

The origin of amniotes was a key event in vertebrate evolution, enabling tetrapods to break their ties with water and invade terrestrial environments. Two pivotal clades of early tetrapods, the diadectomorphs and the seymouriamorphs, have played an unsurpassed role in debates about the ancestry of amniotes for over a century, but their skeletal morphology has provided conflicting evidence for their affinities. Using high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography, we reveal the three-dimensional architecture of the well preserved endosseous labyrinth of the inner ear in representative species belonging to both groups. Data from the inner ear are coded in a new cladistic matrix of stem and primitive crown amniotes. Both maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses retrieve seymouriamorphs as derived non-crown amniotes and diadectomorphs as sister group to synapsids. If confirmed, this sister group relationship invites re-examination of character polarity near the roots of the crown amniote radiation. Major changes in the endosseous labyrinth and adjacent braincase regions are mapped across the transition from non-amniote to amniote tetrapods, and include: a ventral shift of the cochlear recess relative to the vestibule and the semicircular canals; cochlear recess (primitively housed exclusively within the opisthotic) accommodated within both the prootic and the opisthotic; development of a distinct fossa subarcuata. The inner ear of seymouriamorphs foreshadows conditions of more derived groups, whereas that of diadectomorphs shows a mosaic of plesiomorphic and apomorphic traits, some of which are unambiguously amniote-like, including a distinct and pyramid-like cochlear recess.

The first record of the seymouriamorph stem amniote Discosauriscus from the Krkonoše Piedmont Basin (the Czech Republic) is described. The specimen is identified as D. pulcherrimus on the basis of the following features which are absent in D. austriacus: 1) the pointed tip of the ventrolateral process of the postorbital lies anteriorly to the tip of the wedge-shaped dorsomedial process of the jugal; and 2) the rows of small denticles diverge anteromedially and anterolaterally from the midwidth of the ventral surface of the palatal ramus of the pterygoid. This new record increases our knowledge of the occurrence of this seymouriamorph in the Permo-Carboniferous basins of Europe.

The first fossil anguine material from the lower Miocene (MN 2) locality Ulm – Westtangente in Germany is described. The parietal and compound bone of the lower jaw can be attributed to Ophisaurus ...

The aim of this work was to evaluate the transformation of manganese oxide (hausmannite) by microscopic filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and the effects of the transformation on mobility and bioavailability of arsenic. Our results showed that the A. niger strain CBS 140837 greatly affected the stability of hausmannite and induced its transformation into biogenic crystals of manganese oxalates&mdash, falottaite and lindbergite. The transformation was enabled by fungal acidolysis of hausmannite and subsequent release of manganese ions into the culture medium. While almost 45% of manganese was bioextracted, the arsenic content in manganese precipitates increased throughout the 25-day static cultivation of fungus. This significantly decreased the bioavailability of arsenic for the fungus. These results highlight the unique A. niger strain&rsquo, s ability to act as an active geochemical factor via its ability to acidify its environment and to induce formation of biogenic minerals. This affects not only the manganese speciation, but also bioaccumulation of potentially toxic metals and metalloids associated with manganese oxides, including arsenic.

This paper presents the properties of cables made of thin MgB2 wires with different sheaths manufactured by IMD process. Strong effect of the outer sheath on the J e(B) performance was observed and the best properties were obtained for the strongest Cu sheath. It was found that the transversal and longitudinal cables uniformity affects the critical currents in MgB2 wires made by IMD considerably. We have analyzed the quench dynamics in Rutherford cables with Al + 1.5%Al2O3 sheath, when subjected to heat disturbances. Quench triggered in the strands in direct contact with the heater, observing important delays in quench development among strands. Low AC losses were measured for the extra-light Rutherford cable with Ti barrier and Al + 1.5%Al2O3 sheath due to an increased barrier resisitivity and surface Al sheath oxidation, which reduces coupling current loss component effectivelly., This work was supported by the Slovak Scientific Agency under projects APVV-18-0271, APVV-14-0719 and VEGA 2/0140/19. The authors acknowledge the financial support from MINECO-AEI-FEDER (project ENE2017-83669-C4-1) and from Gobierno de Aragon ‘Construyendo Europa desde Aragon (research group T54_17 R). Authors also would like to acknowledge the use of Servicio General de Apoyo a la Investigacion-SAI, Universidad de Zaragoza.

Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775) is the largest extant legless species of the subfamily Anguinae (Anguimorpha, Anguidae) living mostly in the sub-arid territories ranging from the Balkan area in Europe to Kazakhstan in Asia. The species of other two genera live in North America, South-East Asia and North Africa (Ophisaurus) and Europe and South-West Asia (Anguis). The interrelationships of Anguinae are unresolved; this is in part the consequence of the insufficient knowledge of the cranial, postcranial and integumentary anatomy of the individual anguine species. The aim of this article is to fulfill this gap in our knowledge of the anguine anatomy. Now, in the first part of the project, the individual bones of the exocranium and visceral endocranium of the anguine legless lizard P. apodus are described in detail. In the present study, P. apodus is revealed to have autoapomorphic features of the skull which clearly distinguish it from Anguis and Ophisaurus. In addition, the study of posthatchling ontogeny of exocranium of P. apodus revealed some features, such as a nasal process of premaxilla being slightly widened in about its mid-length, that are also typical for adults of the Ophisaurus and Anguis species as well as extinct species of Pseudopus. This strongly indicates that peramorphic heterochronic process played role in the evolution of the P. apodus skull. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 300:460-502, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The new, small cavernicolous species Helmablatta louisrothi gen. et sp. n. (Nocticolidae) from the Tan-Phu cave (Vietnam) is one of the most morphologically interesting cockroaches. The extremely modified upstanding tergal gland composite from three tergites and may serve for gripping the female head during copulation. This presumption is supported by the presence of a central big hook on tergite 8. Furthermore, both wing pairs are uncommonly adapted to help releasing sex pheromones without raising the wings. Histone 3 DNA-based maximum likelihood analyses indicate a recent origin and close phylogenetic relationship between Nocticola spp. and Helmablatta sp.—consistent with the Quaternary age of the source lava tubes.

The article reports on the first detailed vertebral and rib morphology of anguine taxon Pseudopus apodus using micro-computed tomography. A comparison shows significant morphological differences of vertebrae of Pseudopus relative to those of Anguis and Ophisaurus. Usually, there are 55 presacral vertebrae, two sacral, and 95-97 caudal vertebrae. Pseudopus apodus can be defined by 23 diagnostic features concerning the vertebral column. Although zygapophyseal articulation between atlas and axis is well developed in limbed anguid gerrhonotine lizards like Abronia or Barisia, it is absent in the extant representatives of the clade Anguinae, which are limbless. Thus, our study brings further support to the hypothesis about the complete reduction of this articulation in forms with reduced or absent limbs. Comparison of adult and juvenile morphology of vertebrae of P. apodus was also analyzed. Heterochrony in the evolution of this taxon was previously confirmed by its skull morphology and it can be also documented on the basis of vertebrae. Our data suggest that a peramorphic heterochronic process played a role in the evolution of this largest extant anguine species. Geometric morphometric analyses revealed a pattern of high vertebral disparity among species. We found a clear separation of limbless forms in morphospace. Pseudopus apodus always clusters within Ophisaurus-species confirming molecular and some morphological phylogenies. Only the first tail vertebra shows a distinct difference to those of other anguids, which might be related to altered locomotion associated to the larger body size in this species. Anat Rec, 302:232-257, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Contemporary the application of physical non-destructive methods in testing and analysing of works of art and museum objects is very important and nearly essential for conservators, restorers, and archaeologists. It provides qualitative and quantitative information being helpful in preparation and realisation of restoration activities, and it is also important for authenticity proof of historical artefacts and paintings. Contribution deals with important 3D and 2D X-ray imaging techniques used in cultural heritage testing: X-ray microtomography and X-ray radiography. These methods allow seeing underneath the artefact's surface, to see the internal structure of 3D artefacts and to visualise over-painted (older) layers of paintings.

Single- and four-core MgB 2 wires have been manufactured by internal magnesium diffusion (IMD) into boron. Longitudinal uniformity of the composite wires has been checked by X-ray micro-tomography measuring the MgB 2 cross section area along the wires length. High density of MgB 2 was evaluated by micro-hardness measurements. It was found that the filament’s density has a direct effect on the critical current density ( J c ). The highest J c was measured for the wire having the boron core densified by cold isostatic pressing with 1.9 GPa applied prior to final heat treatment. Presented results showed that high current density can be reached in MgB 2 wires obtained by IMD, which are very interesting for the future practical applications of MgB 2 superconductors.

The morphology of the lower jaw and teeth of the legless lizard Pseudopus apodus (Anguimorpha, Anguidae, Anguinae) from Eurasia are described in detail and compared with those of other species of the subfamily Anguinae. The lower jaw anatomy of Pseudopus, especially the dentary and teeth, clearly differs from the genera Ophisaurus and Anguis. Even so, Ophisaurus is largely uniform in its lower jaw morphology across species. The teeth of North American Ophisaurus are slender cylinders, the shafts are mesiodistally compressed and bulge lingually; the apices are curved lingually and posteriorly and have weakly developed cutting edges. Southeast Asian and North African Ophisaurus present conical teeth, with broadened bases, apices more distinctly curved lingually and posteriorly, and cutting edges that are distinctly developed. The lingual surfaces of the tooth apices are striated in Ophisaurus and Pseudopus. The lower jaw of Ophisaurus is in many respects similar to that in Anguis, however, the teeth of Anguis are longer and markedly curved posteriorly. The result of the phylogenetic analysis rendered six equally parsimonious trees. Anguis appears in three alternative positions, as the sister taxon to a clade formed by Ophisaurus and Pseudopus, as the sister taxon of Ophisaurus, or as forming a clade with Ophisaurus which is the sister group to Pseudopus.

Rutherford MgB2 cable has been made from 12 single-core wires prepared via the internal magnesium diffusion process with a light outer sheath of Al-Al2O3 particulate metal matrix composite. Initially, critical currents of single-core wires with different diameters (between 1 mm and 0.465 mm) were measured. X-ray tomography was applied for the analysis of the uniformity of a Rutherford cable assembled of 0.465 mm strands. The obtained engineering current density at 4.2 K and 6. 5 T for the present cable (with only 9.6% of MgB2) is ~3.6 times higher in comparison with a similar cable fabricated via the powder-in-tube in situ process with 19.8% of MgB2 phase. The strain tolerance of the cable by bending has shown a critical diameter of 70 mm. AC losses measured via the calibration-free method have shown apparently lower coupling losses for the cabled conductor. The obtained results are promising for future lightweight, mechanically flexible and low AC loss MgB2 superconductors suitable especially for motors or generators.

This paper summarizes research results about the quality and durability assessment of marbles from Slovakia quarries or outcrops, as well as marbles imported to Slovakia for building purposes through standard laboratory tests—the salt crystallization test and the frost resistance test. For this research of salt crystallization effects, nine various marbles were studied. The mineral composition, microstructure and changes in physical properties of marbles were characterized. One type of the examined marbles, the Thassos marble from Greece, was submitted to detailed research through the use of electron visualization methods and X-ray microtomography. It was discovered that the cyclic salt crystallization caused a decay of this dolomite marble predominantly along dominant crystal boundaries. X-ray microtomography allowed for visualization in 3D with possibility to obtain information about processes of cracks creation. It was possible to characterize parameters of newly created cracks as to their length, width and persistence. Long-lasting cyclic freeze-thaw tests confirmed the satisfactory quality of twenty Slovak marbles and their suitability to all-purpose applications.

The morphology of the lower jaw and teeth of the legless lizard Pseudopus apodus (Anguimorpha, Anguidae, Anguinae) from Eurasia are described in detail and compared with those of other species of the subfamily Anguinae. The lower jaw anatomy of Pseudopus, especially the dentary and teeth, clearly differs from the genera Ophisaurus and Anguis. Even so, Ophisaurus is largely uniform in its lower jaw morphology across species. The teeth of North American Ophisaurus are slender cylinders, the shafts are mesiodistally compressed and bulge lingually; the apices are curved lingually and posteriorly and have weakly developed cutting edges. Southeast Asian and North African Ophisaurus present conical teeth, with broadened bases, apices more distinctly curved lingually and posteriorly, and cutting edges that are distinctly developed. The lingual surfaces of the tooth apices are striated in Ophisaurus and Pseudopus. The lower jaw of Ophisaurus is in many respects similar to that in Anguis, however, the teeth of Anguis are longer and markedly curved posteriorly. The result of the phylogenetic analysis rendered six equally parsimonious trees. Anguis appears in three alternative positions, as the sister taxon to a clade formed by Ophisaurus and Pseudopus, as the sister taxon of Ophisaurus, or as forming a clade with Ophisaurus which is the sister group to Pseudopus.

The article describes the basic principles and the use of X-ray microtomography which has emerged as a new promising method of measurement and non-destructive testing. X-ray microtomography (μCT) combines the principles of X-ray shadow microscopy together with the computed tomography CT. The current technical possibilities allow achieving submicron resolution by the use of experimental as well as commercial μCT facilities. Use of this method can be found particularly in materials research, precision engineering, and electronics industry. In all these areas there is a need for a non-destructive, high resolution visualization of internal microstructures, measurement of interior dimensions of 3D objects, materials testing for the presence of internal defects. Unlike the nondestructive μCT, the conventional testing methods require for the observation of internal structures mechanical cutting of the object and thus its destruction. Such damage of the object under study is often unacceptable, especially when it concerns an object of research, which should be preserved in integrity for its uniqueness or need to take further measurements and tests. Besides the materials research, there are also many other important areas of application of X-ray microtomography measuring method: electronics and precision mechanical engineering industry, mineralogy, geology, biology and archeology. In the experimental part of this article the results achieved in the microtomography laboratory of Slovak Academy of Sciences, equipped with the GE phoenix|x-ray nanotom 180 facility, will be presented.

It is important to measure both reflectance (R ) and transmittance (T ) with the same accuracy. But many commercial accessories are exchanged by themselves or a sample is replaced on the other position in one accessory, when the reflection measurement is changed from the transmission measurement, so that it is impossible to measure reflectance and transmittance with the same accuracy. Accordingly the absorptance (A=1-R-T ) of the sample is not a sufficient index to evaluate the optical properties. A new scatterometer, which overcomes the defect, has been developed in AIST. It consists mainly of two ellipsoidal mirrors and a new detection system, which is composed of a hemispherical lens, a fiber optic taper and a CCD camera. These mirrors are a belt-shape and a quarter ellipsoidal mirrors with two focal points and are combined such that each focal point is a common focal point, on which the sample is placed. A rotating mirror is set on a remaining focal point of the belt-shape mirror. Each arrangement, where the rotating mirror looks at the upper or lower arm of the belt-shape mirror, is for the transmission or reflection measurement, respectively. The center of the hemispherical lens in the detection system is set on a remaining focal point of the quarter mirror, the incident plane of the fiber optic taper coincides with the image plane of the hemispherical lens and the outgoing plane of the fiber optic taper is in contact with the CCD camera. A clear image can be obtained using this detection system. The absolute values of the reflectance and transmittance and the light distributions of the reflection and transmission of the micro-ball-lenses, whose radii were 0.75, 1, 2.5 and 4.8mm, were measured. The systematic errors of our scatterometer are briefly discussed.

A new scatterometer is composed of two ellipsoidal mirrors of revolution and an optical detection system. It enables us to absolutely measure diffuse reflectance and transmittance and to measure the spatial distribution of light scattering from almost all materials. The optical detection system has been developed both to measure total photo-intensity using a photodiode and to capture the imaging data using a CCD camera. This results in faster, more complete and often more accurate measurements than can be achieved with traditional goniometric methods and integrated sphere methods. The absolute total integrated reflectance and transmittance of well-known samples were measured and the spatial distribution of light scattering from a diffraction grating was captured and evaluated.

A modern and efficient non-destructive testing method - active infrared thermography is analysed in the paper. This method can be used for detection of defects (e.g. hidden bubbles and cracks) and inhomogenities inside materials and various objects. Goal of the presented research is theoretical evaluation of the performance of the pulse active thermography, numeric modelling of heat propagation in complex non-homogeneous environment by Finite Element Method and experimental validation of theoretical results.

Contemporary the claims on the geometrical precision of form, mutual position of surfaces and axis of the machined mechanical parts are increasing in field of the mechanical production. Besides that the producers require that the measuring and control processes can be realised directly at the manufacturing process. It is the active quality control of the production which is connected with the control of machine-tools. This article deals with the development of special laser scattering sensors used for the fast control of the precision mechanical parts in production process.

In order to allow precise and detailed physical studies of an MgB2 filament made by the internal magnesium diffusion process (IMD), a modified approach (MIMD) using a Mg tube filled with boron powder deformed into wire was introduced. The MIMD process allows easy extraction of the MgB2 filament after the final heat treatment and performance of four-probe resistive measurements and density estimation, which is not possible for standard IMD wires. The Rowell approach has been applied for the grain connectivity from R(T) data of extracted MgB2 for the first time. The filament's density has been estimated from the precise volume measured by x-ray micro-tomography and mass. The high connectivity and density of the MgB2 filament made by the diffusion process are discussed and compared with those of filaments made by other processes.

Optical methods are very powerful tools for non-destructive testing of works of art. There are several tasks connected with testing of works of art, which can be solved by use of optical methods, for example revealing of underdrawings in pictures, visualisation of artefacts that are due to degradation process invisible by naked eye, distinguishing between authentic and retouched parts of work of art, testing of degradation and ageing of works of art and many other tasks. In the contribution several selected optical testing methods will be described, among them ultraviolet fluorescence, infrared reflectography and laser scattering method.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

This article describes the laser system for measurement and evaluation of functional geometrical parameters of the commutator body. Measuring principle is based on optical detection of boundaries of gaps, segments and lugs on rotating commutator body by means of laser beam.

The restoring investigation of works of art by the invisible radiation (X-ray, ultraviolet and infrared radiation) sometimes gives the possibility to obtain the information which cannot be identified or is hardly perceivable in visible light. Infrared radiation makes possible to examine deteriorated paintings, sculptures, engravings, manuscripts, tissues etc. The infrared image can provide for the restorer the supplementary information bout the technique of old masters and also later changes in the composition of the work. This article describes the modern implements for the realization of the infrared image.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Several mathematical methods of center evaluation of laser spot on a surface measured by the light-cut profile meter are described and analyzed. All these methods are implemented in the light-cut profile meter software and compared from the point of view of uncertainty measurement minimization. A novel method of center evaluation based upon approximation of laser spot intensity distribution by polynomial of second order is also introduced. Experimental results have shown, that this method gives the best results from the point of view of measurement uncertainty minimization.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.