Flux-density spectral analysis for several pulsars and two newly-identified gigahertz-peaked spectra

In this paper we present results from flux density measurements for 21 pulsars over a wide frequency range, using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) and the Effelsberg telescope. Our sample was a set of mostly newly discovered pulsars from the selection of candidates for gigahertz-peaked spectra (GPS) pulsars. Using the results of our observations along with previously published data, we identify two new GPS pulsars. One of them, PSR J1740+1000, with dispersion measure of 24 pc cm$^{-3}$, is the first GPS pulsar with such a low DM value.We also selected several strong candidates for objects with high frequency turnover in their spectra which require further investigation.We also revisit our source selection criteria for future searches for GPS pulsars.Comment: 10 pages, 2 tables, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

A multilevel carbon and water footprint dataset of food commodities

Informing and engaging citizens to adopt sustainable diets is a key strategy for reducing global environmental impacts of the agricultural and food sectors. In this respect, the first requisite to support citizens and actors of the food sector is to provide them a publicly available, reliable and ready to use synthesis of environmental pressures associated to food commodities. Here we introduce the SU-EATABLE LIFE database, a multilevel database of carbon (CF) and water (WF) footprint values of food commodities, based on a standardized methodology to extract information and assign optimal footprint values and uncertainties to food items, starting from peer-reviewed articles and grey literature. The database and its innovative methodological framework for uncertainty treatment and data quality assurance provides a solid basis for evaluating the impact of dietary shifts on global environmental policies, including climate mitigation through greenhouse gas emission reductions. The database ensures repeatability and further expansion, providing a reliable science-based tool for managers and researcher in the food sector

Good for the heart, good for the Earth: proposal of a dietary pattern able to optimize cardiovascular disease prevention and mitigate climate change

Background and aims: Human and planetary health are inextricably interconnected through food systems. Food choices account for 50% of all deaths for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) - the leading cause of death in Europe - and food systems generate up to 37% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Methods and results: Based on a systematic revision of meta-analyses of prospective studies exploring the association between individual foods/food groups and the incidence of CVD, we identified a dietary pattern able to optimize CVD prevention.. This dietary pattern was compared to the current diet of the European population. The nutritional adequacy of both diets was evaluated according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommended nutrient intake for the adult population, and their environmental impact was evaluated in terms of carbon footprint (CF). As compared to the current diet, the desirable diet includes higher intakes of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, low glycemic index (GI) cereals, nuts, legumes and fish, and lower amounts of beef, butter, high GI cereals or potatoes and sugar. The diet here identified provides appropriate intakes of all nutrients and matches better than the current Europeans' one the EFSA requirements. Furthermore, the CF of the proposed diet is 48.6% lower than that of the current Europeans' diet. Conclusion: The transition toward a dietary pattern designed to optimize CVD prevention would improve the nutritional profile of the habitual diet in Europe and, at the same time, contribute to mitigate climate change by reducing the GHG emissions linked to food consumption almost by half

Nucleic acid-based fluorescent probes and their analytical potential

It is well known that nucleic acids play an essential role in living organisms because they store and transmit genetic information and use that information to direct the synthesis of proteins. However, less is known about the ability of nucleic acids to bind specific ligands and the application of oligonucleotides as molecular probes or biosensors. Oligonucleotide probes are single-stranded nucleic acid fragments that can be tailored to have high specificity and affinity for different targets including nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, and ions. One can divide oligonucleotide-based probes into two main categories: hybridization probes that are based on the formation of complementary base-pairs, and aptamer probes that exploit selective recognition of nonnucleic acid analytes and may be compared with immunosensors. Design and construction of hybridization and aptamer probes are similar. Typically, oligonucleotide (DNA, RNA) with predefined base sequence and length is modified by covalent attachment of reporter groups (one or more fluorophores in fluorescence-based probes). The fluorescent labels act as transducers that transform biorecognition (hybridization, ligand binding) into a fluorescence signal. Fluorescent labels have several advantages, for example high sensitivity and multiple transduction approaches (fluorescence quenching or enhancement, fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and excimer-monomer light switching). These multiple signaling options combined with the design flexibility of the recognition element (DNA, RNA, PNA, LNA) and various labeling strategies contribute to development of numerous selective and sensitive bioassays. This review covers fundamentals of the design and engineering of oligonucleotide probes, describes typical construction approaches, and discusses examples of probes used both in hybridization studies and in aptamer-based assays

Zastosowanie chromatografii gazowej do identyfikacji rozlewów olejowych

A quick and simple method of separating oil products into the aliphatic and aromatic fractions are presented. The aliphatic fraction was analysed, using the GC/MS technique. Results of analyses of the predominant in oil group of biomarkers, ie the n-alkanes and two compounds from the isoprenoid group: pristane and phytane, are presented. Ratios of the content of these compounds (Pr/F), Pr/n-Cn and F/n-C18 are characteristic for a given oil, and this is used to identify the oil products.Przedstawiono szybką i prostą metodę rozdziału produktów naftowych na frakcję alifatyczną i aromatyczną. Otrzymaną frakcję alifatyczną badano przy zastosowaniu techniki GC/MS. W pracy przedstawiono wyniki analiz dominującej w ropie naftowej grupy biomarkerów - n-alkanów oraz dwóch związków z grupy izoprenoidów. pristanu i fitanu. Stosunki ilości tych związków (Pr/F) oraz Pr/n-C17 i F/n-C18 są charakterystyczne dla określonej ropy, co wykorzystywane jest przy identyfikacji produktów naftowych

Su-Eatable Life Project: Reducing carbon emissions and water use pressure through sustainable diet

The EU food chain is at present highly carbon and water intensive. A significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions and pressure on water resources resulting from overuse might come from the adoption of a more sustainable and healthier diet. While people are generally aware that the food they eat is an important factor affecting their health, however, the impact that food production and consumption has on the world's resources is less known. There is therefore a need to build methods and tools that create awareness among the population about the potential savings of the resources that sustainable and healthy diets can bring, and stimulate the population to adopt such diets. The EU project SU-EATABLE LIFE aims at i) developing guidelines that define a sustainable and healthy diet, ii) carrying out a wide range of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and education on food-related issues by citizens/customers and iii) implementing an easy-to-use information system that enables citizens to adopt such a diet. The long-term objective is to contribute to reducing GHG emissions and achieving water savings in the EU via citizen education and active engagement