In vitro bioconversion of polyphenols from black tea and red wine/grape juice by human intestinal microbiota displays strong interindividual variability

Dietary polyphenols in tea and wine have been associated with beneficial health effects. After ingestion, most polyphenols are metabolized by the colonic microbiota. The current study aimed at exploring the interindividual variation of gut microbial polyphenol bioconversion from 10 healthy human subjects. In vitro fecal batch fermentations simulating conditions in the distal colon were performed using polyphenols from black tea and a mixture of red wine and grape juice. Microbial bioconversion was monitored by NMR- and GC-MS-based profiling of diverse metabolites and phenolics. The complex polyphenol mixtures were degraded to a limited number of key metabolites. Each subject displayed a specific metabolite profile differing in composition and time courses as well as levels of these metabolites. Moreover, clear differences depending on the polyphenol sources were observed. In conclusion, varying metabolite pathways among individuals result in different metabolome profiles and therefore related health effects are hypothesized to differ between subjects

Reconstruction of peat-forming paleoenvironments within the Oligocene Bobov Dol Basin, SW Bulgaria: Insights from organic petrology

Up to fourteen sub-bituminous coal beds are hosted within the Oligocene Bobov Dol Basin. Among them, six (numbered I to VI from base to top) are considered economically significant. In this study, ninety samples from five of the main seams (I-V) and a locally mined sub-seam (Ia) were characterized by maceral analysis and ash yield determination. The coal is composed of huminite (avg. 86.6 vol.%), liptinite (avg. 17.5 vol.%) and minor inertinite (avg: 1.5 vol.%). Maceral composition is dominated by gymnosperm-derived telohuminite (up to 72.0 vol.%) with resinite (up to 28.0 vol.%) and exsudatinite (up to 16.0 vol.%) cell infillings, embedded in attrinitic (avg. 21.0 vol.%) or densinitic (avg. 17.0 vol.%) groundmass. Most samples also contain abundant leaf-derived huminte (phyllo-huminite, up to 29.0 vol.%) in association with cutinite (up to 8.0 vol.%) and fluorinite (up to 5.0 vol.%). Low to moderate ash yields (< 25 wt.% for most samples) coupled with low to moderate values of the maceral indices, namely TPI 53% of the samples), and low values of the GWI < 1 (for 81% of the samples), denote organic matter deposition within an oligo- to mesotrophic topogenous mire with (ground)watertable beneath the peat surface. Reconstruction of paleoenvironmental settings based on maceral analysis (Fig. 1) argues for plant matter accumulation under marginal aquatic (seam Ia) and moderately wet- to dry-forested mires (seams I-V). Abundance of resinite and fluorinite-rich (phyllo-)huminite indicates development of conifer-dominated forests (likely deciduous gymnosperms), perhaps within a background of herbaceous plants and/or deciduous shrubs. The data is compatible with the previously reported preliminary organic geochemical data for part of the seams (Zdravkov et al., 2021)

Paleoenvironmental settings of peat formation within Padesh Graben, SW Bulgaria, deduced from maceral analysis and geochemical properties of Suhostrel Coal

Three 0.2-0.6 m thick coal seams, representing seam splits from a locally thicker seam (~1.8 m), comprise the Eocene Suhostrel coal deposit from the S-SW margin of the E1-2-Ol1 Padesh Graben. High TOC contents (avg. ~86 wt.%, daf), VR (avg. Ro = 1.05%) and Tmax (avg. 457°C), argue for high vol. A/medium vol. bituminous coalification rank. Maceral composition is dominated by vitrinite (avg. ~ 95 vol.%), represented by detrovitrinite (e.g., collodetrinite, avg. 37.5 vol.%, and vitrodetrinite, avg. 19.2 vol.%) and collotelinite (avg. 38.0 vol.%, mostly gelified leaf-derived tissues, e.g. phyllo-vitrinite). Liptinite (avg. ~5 vol.%) includes cutinite and microsporinite. Predominance of mid- and long-chain n-alkanes argues for peat formation from a mixture of aquatic macrophytes and terrestrial vascular plants. Low Vegetation Index values (VI = 0.1-3.2, avg. 0.8; Calder et al., 1991) denote major organic matter contribution from vegetation with poor preservation potential. This is compatible with the presence of oleanane, confirming input from angiosperm plants. The absence of resin-derived sesqui- and diterpenoid hydrocarbons argues for an insignificant role of conifers during peat formation. Reconstructed depositional settings (Fig. 1) argue for organic matter deposition under marginal aquatic, marsh/fen-type peatland with meso- to rheotrophic characteristics (Groundwater Index, GWI = 0.3-7.2, avg. 1.4; Calder et al., 1991). High mineral matter contents (ash yields 21-47 wt.%) imply hydrologically active environment with frequent (perhaps seasonal) changes in Eh settings. Low concentrations of hopanoid biomarkers imply limited aerobic degradation of the plant remains. Post-depositional marine influence and downward infiltrating sulfate-rich waters are considered responsible for the presence of dibenzothiophene and its methylated derivatives

The Toarcian Posidonia Shale at Salem (North Alpine Foreland Basin; South Germany): hydrocarbon potential and paleogeography

The Posidonia Shale in the basement of the North Alpine Foreland Basin of southwestern Germany represents an important archive for environmental changes during the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event and the associated carbon isotope excursion (T-CIE). It is also an important hydrocarbon source rock. In the Salem borehole, the Posidonia Shale is ~ 10 m thick. The lower 7.5 m (1763.5–1756.0 m) of the Posidonian Shale and the uppermost part of the underlying Amaltheenton Formation were cored and studied using a total of 62 samples. Rock–Eval, palynological, maceral, biomarker and carbon isotope data were collected to assess variations in environmental conditions and to quantify the source rock potential. In contrast to most other Toarcian sections in southwest Germany, TOC contents are high in sediments deposited during the T-CIE, but reach a peak in post-CIE sediments. Biomarker ratios suggest that this reflects strong oxygen-depletion during the T-CIE (elegantulum to lower elegans subzones), but also during the falciferum Subzone, which is also reflected by a prolonged dinoflagellate cyst blackout. While sediments of the tenuicostatum Zone to the elegans Subzone are thinner than in neighbouring sections (e.g., Dotternhausen), sediments of the falciferum Subzone are unusually thick, suggesting that increased subsidence might have contributed to anoxia. The T-CIE interval is very thin (0.75 m). δ$^{13}$C values of n-alkanes show that the maximum negative isotope shift predates the strongest basin restriction during the T-CIE and that the carbon isotope shift is recorded earlier for aquatic than for terrigenous organisms. In Salem, the Posidonia Shale is thermally mature and highly oil-prone. The residual source petroleum potential is about 0.8 tHC/m$^{2}$. Graphical Abstrac

Comparative Petrographical and Organic Geochemical Study of Eocene and Oligocene Coal Basins from Sw Bulgaria

In the current study formation of coal in the Suhostrel (Early-Mid Eocene) and the Bobov Dol (Late Oligocene) basins located in the SW Bulgaria was evaluated using organic petrographic characteristics and biomarker patterns. Furthermore, the potential of biomarkers to indicate climate cooling trend in the late Oligocene, which was less pronounced in Bulgaria compared to the global one was examined. Studied coals significantly differ in their coalification degree: Suhostrel (Ro ~ 1.10%), Bobov Dol (Ro ~ 0.45–0.50%). The obtained results show that main organic matter (OM) sources of Bobov Dol coal were mixed Pinaceae/Cupressaceae conifer communities from moderately wet oligo- to mesotrophic swamps. OM of Suhostrel coal is mainly derived from mixed angiosperm hydrophytic and woody vegetation, with the predominance of the former. The peatification was performed under reducing conditions with occasional marine ingressions into the paleomire. Although comparison of biomarker patterns at different OM maturity levels is complicated, some relevant indication can be observed from the compositions of non-hopanoid terpenoids, which showed that mild late Oligocene climate cooling in Bulgaria was associated with change from hydrophytic angiosperm- to gymnosperm-dominated peatlands. This is consistent with the results of investigation of the Bulgarian Paleogene flora

Search for the Source Rocks in the Turija Oil Field Region (Se Pannonian Basin, Serbia)

In the last two decades, the Turija oil field (SE Pannonian Basin, Serbia) has attracted attention through oil discoveries in new wells. The source rocks of the Turija oil are still unknown. In this study, potential lower Miocene (Ottnangian-Karpatian) to upper Miocene (Pannonian) source rocks from some boreholes near the Turija oil field were investigated to determine the origin, depositional environment, hydrocarbon potential and maturity of organic matter (OM). The Rock-Eval method, biomarker and carbon isotope analyses were used. The obtained results indicate a mixed aquatic-terrestrial (Ottnangian-Karpatian and Badenian) and predominantly aquatic (Badenian and Pannonian) origin of OM, deposited under variable, reducing to oxic conditions. The majority of studied samples show a good oil generation potential. Numerous maturity indicators imply that maturity of OM varies from immature to mature. The large heterogeneity (facies and maturity) of the Badenian samples is consistent with remarkable environmental changes caused by the uplift of the Alps and Carpathians in the middle to late Badenian

The Iowa Homemaker vol.21, no.5

Candles Spread Christmas Cheer, Mary Ellen Sullivan, page 2 Milk Strengthens Defense, Betty Ann Iverson, page 3 American Wares Set Nation’s Tables, Ann Koebel, page 4 New World Harbours Refugees, Dorothy Ann Klein, page 5 Sally Anticipates a Gala Season, Mary Lou Springer, page 6 Applied Art Highlights, Lila Williamson, page 8 Bookmarks, Julie Wendel, page 9 What’s New in Home Economics, Dorothy Olson, page 10 For Holiday Shoppers, Betty Roth, page 12 Residence Halls Honor Women Leaders, Dorothy Gross, page 13 Express Ingenuity in Greetings, Doris Plagge, page 14 Alums in the News, Bette Simpson, page 15 Fruit Cakes for Holidays, Margaret Anne Clark, page 16 Across Alumnae Desks, Marjorie Thomas, page 18 Journalistic Spindles, Florence Byrnes, page 2

Cigré Prototype Installation Test for Gas-Insulated DC Systems - Testing a Gas-Insulated DC Transmission Line (DC-GIL) for ±550 kV and 5000 A under Real Service Conditions

More and more generation facilities are installed far away from the load centers. Thus, long distance transmission is demanded, and with this regard DC transmission systems are of special interest. Transmission by overhead lines is a well-proven technology, but due to environmental concern and political decisions underground transmission systems are often requested. Besides DC cables, DC GIL are an interesting option. They enable transmitting high power by only one system in a small corridor only a few meters wide. GIL can be laid in a tunnel or directly buried in the soil. Meanwhile a lot of service experience has been collected with AC GIL technology, but no service experience is yet available with DC GIL. To close this knowledge gap and to investigate the long-term performance, a ±550 kV DC GIL prototype with a current carrying capacity of 5000 A is currently investigated in a HVDC test facility, both in directly buried and in above-ground installation. The test procedure follows the recommendations for long-term testing of gas-insulated systems, currently under preparation by Cigré JWG D1/B3.57. This report describes the test sample arrangements, the high-voltage and high current test equipment and the commissioning procedure for the DC GIL. It illustrates the UHF PD monitoring system installed and the method to identify possible PD defects. The investigated DC GIL is subdivided into two parts: While an above-ground installation is simultaneously stressed by voltage and DC current, a directly buried part of the DC GIL is stressed with DC current only in order to investigate soil mechanics, the temperature distribution in the GIL and in the soil as well as the performance of the backfill material. The report also presents first results gained on the directly buried arrangement for studying the soil mechanics