Is the direct observation of electronic coherence in electron transfer reactions possible?

The observability of electronic coherence in electron transfer reactions is discussed. We show that under appropriate circumstances large-amplitude oscillations can be found in the electronic occupation probabilities. The initial preparation of the system is of crucial importance for this effect, and we discuss conditions under which experiments detecting electronic coherence should be feasible. The Feynman-Vernon influence functional formalism is extended to examine more general and experimentally relevant initial preparations. Analytical expressions and path integral quantum dynamics simulations were developed to study the effects of various initial preparations on the observability of electronic coherence.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, to be published in J. Chem. Phy

Monocytes Do Not Transdifferentiate into Proper Osteoblasts

Recent publications suggested that monocytes might be an attractive cell type to transdifferentiate into various cellular phenotypes. Aim was, therefore, to evaluate the potential of blood monocytes to transdifferentiate into osteoblasts. Monocytes isolated from peripheral blood were subjected to two previously published treatments to obtain unique, multipotent cell fractions, named programmable cells of monocytic origin (PCMOs) and monocyte-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (MOMPs). Subsequently, MOMPs and PCMOs were treated with osteogenic differentiation medium (including either vitamin D or dexamethasone) for 14 days. Regarding a variety of surface markers, no differences between MOMPs, PCMOs, and primary monocytes could be detected. The treatment with osteogenic medium neither resulted in loss of hematopoietic markers nor in adoption of mesenchymal phenotype in all cell types. No significant effect was observed regarding the expression of osteogenic transcription factors, bone-related genes, or production of mineralized matrix. Osteogenic medium resulted in activation of monocytes and appearance of osteoclasts. In conclusion, none of the investigated monocyte cell types showed any transdifferentiation characteristics under the tested circumstances. Based on our data, we rather see an activation and maturation of monocytes towards macrophages and osteoclasts

TGF-β1 As Possible Link between Loss of Bone Mineral Density and Chronic Inflammation

and their possible role in bone homeostasis in primary human osteoblasts. application.

Zeitliche und räumliche Prognose der Stabilität von Braunkohletagebaukippen im Nordraum Lausitz mit künstlichen neuronalen Netzen

Mittels künstlichen neuronalen Netzen wurden die in den rekultivierten Tagebaukippen im Nordraum Lausitz (Tagebaue Schlabendorf und Seese) auftretenden Geländedeformationen infolge Bodenverflüssigung für die Jahre 2009 - 2013 als Zeitreihe modelliert. Das Modell ist in der Lage, grob die zeitliche Entwicklung und exakt die räumliche Lage des in den Kippen auftretenden Gefährdungspotenzials nachzuvollziehen und als Funktion des sich ändernden Grundwasserspiegels und der sich ändernden Oberflächenmorphologie in die Zukunft zu prognostizieren. Das Modell zeigt dynamisch das Entstehen neuer Risikoflächen in bisher scheinbar stabilen Bereichen des Untersuchungsgebietes. Die Korrektheit des Modells wurde mittels verschiedener Tests geprüft sowie anhand einer Prognoserechnung für das Jahr 2014 und des Vergleichs mit den real in 2014/2015 gegangenen Ereignissen nachgewiesen. Folgende Gefährdungsfaktoren wurden ermittelt: Destabilisierend wirken eine möglichst einförmige Lithologie folgender Zusammenset-zung: 31 % Feinsand, 34 % Mittelsand, 31 % Grobsand, 3 % Schluff, < 1 % Kies, < 1 % Kalk, < 1 % Ton, < 1 % Kohle, kf-Werte zwischen 10-4 und 10-4,5 m/s, ein Grundwasserflurabstand bei 3,45 m (Medianwert), möglichst hohe Gradienten der nicht lithologisch kontrollierten Parameter: Tagebauoberfläche, Grundwasseroberfläche, Grundwasserflurabstand und Mächtigkeit der gesättigten Kippe. Stabilisierend wirken vor allem eine möglichst große Heterogenität der Lithologie auf kleinem Raum (möglichst hohe Gradienten der lithologisch kontrollierten Parameter (z.B. Kiesgehalt, Sandgehalt, Tongehalt, Kohlegehalt)), ein möglichst geringer Sandanteil, möglichst hohe Anteile an Kies, Schluff, Ton, Kalk, bzw. Kohle, ein möglichst großer Grundwasserflurabstand sowie möglichst geringe Gradienten der nicht lithologisch kontrollierten Parameter: Tagebauoberfläche, Grundwasseroberfläche, Grundwasserflurabstand, Mächtigkeit der gesättigten Kippe sowie wechselnde kf-Werte 10-7 bzw. >10-2 m/s. Für die Bearbeitung wurden ausschließlich die bei der LMBV vorhandenen bzw. laufend flächendeckend erhobenen Daten genutzt: Lage des Grundwasserspiegels, Relief der Tagebauoberfläche, Liegendes der Kippe, geologische Daten der Vorfeldbohrungen. Das Modell kann als dynamisches Instrument zum Risikomanagement vor bzw. während der Sanierungsmaßnahmen genutzt werden. Mittels der Variation der prozesskontrollie-renden Parameter können die geotechnischen Auswirkungen verschiedener Sanierungsszenarien (z.B. Gestaltung der Tagebauoberfläche, Schüttung der Kippen, Grundwasseranstieg) auf die Stabilität der Kippen prognostiziert werden.Geotechnical events (terrain deformation due to soil liquefaction) in lignite mining waste rock piles of the northern Lausitz area (opencast pits Schlabendorf and Seese), have been modeled as time series for the years 2009 – 2013 by using artificial neural networks. The model has clearly recognized the influences of various lithological and non-lithological controlled parameters on the occurrence of geotechnical events, and these have been quantified and weighted in terms of their importance. The model is able to predict the tem-poral evolution and the exact spatial location of the events occurring in the dumps as a function of changing groundwater levels and surface morphology. The model shows dynamically the emergence of new risk areas in hitherto seemingly stable areas. The correctness of the model was confirmed by means of various tests and its predictive success was demonstrated through forecasting of events for the years 2014 and 2015 and their comparison with the observed events of those years. The following main risk factors were identified: Important destabilizing factors are a monotonous lithology with the following composition: 31% fine sand, 34% medium sand, 31% coarse sand, 3% silt, <1% gravel, <1% lime, <1% clay, <1% coal, kf-values between 10-4 and 10-4.5 m/s, a surface to groundwater distance of 3.45 meters (median value), high gradients of non-lithological controlled parameters: waste dump surface, groundwater level, depth to groundwater and thickness of saturated dump. 2. Important stabilizing factors are a high heterogeneity of lithology (high gradients of the lithological controlled parameters: e.g. gravel content, sand content, clay content, carbon content), a low proportion of sand in the dump composition, high proportions of gravel, silt, clay, lime, or coal, a high depth to groundwater, low gradients of non-lithological controlled parameters: open pit surface, groundwater surface, depth to groundwater, thickness of saturated dump, strongly changing kf values between 10-7 and 10-2 m/s. The model can be used as a dynamic tool for risk management before and during the re-habilitation of lignite waste dumps, and for constructing stable waste dumps. By means of varying the model parameters (e.g. design of the dump surface, composition of dumped rocks, rising groundwater) the geotechnical effects of dump design and remediation scenarios can be predicted

Enhanced sulfur in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere in spring 2020

Sulfur compounds in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) impact the atmosphere radiation budget, either directly as particles or indirectly as precursor gas for new particle formation. In situ measurements in the UTLS are rare but are important to better understand the impact of the sulfur budget on climate. The BLUESKY mission in May and June 2020 explored an unprecedented situation. (1) The UTLS experienced extraordinary dry conditions in spring 2020 over Europe, in comparison to previous years, and (2) the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic caused major emission reductions from industry, ground, and airborne transportation. With the two research aircraft HALO and Falcon, 20 flights were conducted over central Europe and the North Atlantic to investigate the atmospheric composition with respect to trace gases, aerosol, and clouds. Here, we focus on measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO$_{2}$) and particulate sulfate (SO$^{2-}$$_{4}$) in the altitude range of 8 to 14.5 km which show unexpectedly enhanced mixing ratios of SO$_{2}$ in the upper troposphere and of SO$^{2-}$$_{4}$ in the lowermost stratosphere. In the UT, we find SO$_{2}$ mixing ratios of (0.07±0.01) ppb, caused by the remaining air traffic, and reduced SO$_{2}$ sinks due to low OH and low cloud fractions and to a minor extent by uplift from boundary layer sources. Particulate sulfate showed elevated mixing ratios of up to 0.33 ppb in the LS. We suggest that the eruption of the volcano Raikoke in June 2019, which emitted about 1 Tg SO$_{2}$ into the stratosphere in northern midlatitudes, caused these enhancements, in addition to Siberian and Canadian wildfires and other minor volcanic eruptions. Our measurements can help to test models and lead to new insights in the distribution of sulfur compounds in the UTLS, their sources, and sinks. Moreover, these results can contribute to improving simulations of the radiation budget in the UTLS with respect to sulfur effects

Reduced decline of lung diffusing capacity in COPD patients with diabetes and metformin treatment

We studied whether in patients with COPD the use of metformin for diabetes treatment was linked to a pattern of lung function decline consistent with the hypothesis of anti-aging efects of metformin. Patients of GOLD grades 1–4 of the COSYCONET cohort with follow-up data of up to 4.5 y were included. The annual decline in lung function (FEV1, FVC) and CO difusing capacity (KCO, TLCO) in %predicted at baseline was evaluated for associations with age, sex, BMI, pack-years, smoking status, baseline lung function, exacerbation risk, respiratory symptoms, cardiac disease, as well as metformin-containing therapy compared to patients without diabetes and metformin. Among 2741 patients, 1541 (mean age 64.4 y, 601 female) fulflled the inclusion criteria. In the group with metformin treatment vs. non-diabetes the mean annual decline in KCO and TLCO was signifcantly lower (0.2 vs 2.3, 0.8 vs. 2.8%predicted, respectively; p < 0.05 each), but not the decline of FEV1 and FVC. These results were confrmed using multiple regression and propensity score analyses. Our fndings demonstrate an association between the annual decline of lung difusing capacity and the intake of metformin in patients with COPD consistent with the hypothesis of anti-aging efects of metformin as refected in a surrogate marker of emphysema

Quantification of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells Using the Modified ISHAGE Protocol

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), involved in endothelial regeneration, neovascularisation, and determination of prognosis in cardiovascular disease can be characterised with functional assays or using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Combinations of markers, including CD34+KDR+ or CD133+KDR+, are used. This approach, however may not consider all characteristics of EPC. The lack of a standardised protocol with regards to reagents and gating strategies may account for the widespread inter-laboratory variations in quantification of EPC. We, therefore developed a novel protocol adapted from the standardised so-called ISHAGE protocol for enumeration of haematopoietic stem cells to enable comparison of clinical and laboratory data.In 25 control subjects, 65 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD; 40 stable CAD, 25 acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction (ACS)), EPC were quantified using the following approach: Whole blood was incubated with CD45, KDR, and CD34. The ISHAGE sequential strategy was used, and finally, CD45(dim)CD34(+) cells were quantified for KDR. A minimum of 100 CD34(+) events were collected. For comparison, CD45(+)CD34(+) and CD45(-)CD34(+) were analysed simultaneously. The number of CD45(dim)CD34(+)KDR(+) cells only were significantly higher in healthy controls compared to patients with CAD or ACS (p = 0.005 each, p<0.001 for trend). An inverse correlation of CD45(dim)CD34(+)KDR(+) with disease activity (r = -0.475, p<0.001) was confirmed. Only CD45(dim)CD34(+)KDR(+) correlated inversely with the number of diseased coronaries (r = -0.344; p<0.005). In a second study, a 4-week de-novo treatment of atorvastatin in stable CAD evoked an increase only of CD45(dim)CD34(+)KDR(+) EPC (p<0.05). CD45(+)CD34(+)KDR(+) and CD45(-)CD34(+)KDR(+) were indifferent between the three groups.Our newly established protocol adopted from the standardised ISHAGE protocol achieved higher accuracy in EPC enumeration confirming previous findings with respect to the correlation of EPC with disease activity and the increase of EPC during statin therapy. The data of this study show the CD45(dim) fraction to harbour EPC

A new concept for the combination of optical interferometers and high-resolution spectrographs

The combination of high spatial and spectral resolution in optical astronomy enables new observational approaches to many open problems in stellar and circumstellar astrophysics. However, constructing a high-resolution spectrograph for an interferometer is a costly and time-intensive undertaking. Our aim is to show that, by coupling existing high-resolution spectrographs to existing interferometers, one could observe in the domain of high spectral and spatial resolution, and avoid the construction of a new complex and expensive instrument. We investigate in this article the different challenges which arise from combining an interferometer with a high-resolution spectrograph. The requirements for the different sub-systems are determined, with special attention given to the problems of fringe tracking and dispersion. A concept study for the combination of the VLTI (Very Large Telescope Interferometer) with UVES (UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph) is carried out, and several other specific instrument pairings are discussed. We show that the proposed combination of an interferometer with a high-resolution spectrograph is indeed feasible with current technology, for a fraction of the cost of building a whole new spectrograph. The impact on the existing instruments and their ongoing programs would be minimal.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, Experimental Astronomy; v2: accepted versio

Enhanced sulfur in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere in spring 2020

The detection of sulfur compounds in the upper troposphere (UT) and lower stratosphere (LS) is a challenge. In-flight measurements of SO2 and sulfate aerosol were performed during the BLUESKY mission in spring 2020 under exceptional atmospheric conditions. Reduced sinks in the dry UTLS and lower but still significant air traffic influenced the enhanced SO2 in the UT and aged volcanic plumes enhanced the LS sulfate aerosol both impacting the atmospheric radiation budget and global climate