Challenges in QCD matter physics --The scientific programme of the Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment at FAIR

Substantial experimental and theoretical efforts worldwide are devoted to explore the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter. At LHC and top RHIC energies, QCD matter is studied at very high temperatures and nearly vanishing net-baryon densities. There is evidence that a Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP) was created at experiments at RHIC and LHC. The transition from the QGP back to the hadron gas is found to be a smooth cross over. For larger net-baryon densities and lower temperatures, it is expected that the QCD phase diagram exhibits a rich structure, such as a first-order phase transition between hadronic and partonic matter which terminates in a critical point, or exotic phases like quarkyonic matter. The discovery of these landmarks would be a breakthrough in our understanding of the strong interaction and is therefore in the focus of various high-energy heavy-ion research programs. The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR will play a unique role in the exploration of the QCD phase diagram in the region of high net-baryon densities, because it is designed to run at unprecedented interaction rates. High-rate operation is the key prerequisite for high-precision measurements of multi-differential observables and of rare diagnostic probes which are sensitive to the dense phase of the nuclear fireball. The goal of the CBM experiment at SIS100 (sNN= 2.7--4.9 GeV) is to discover fundamental properties of QCD matter: the phase structure at large baryon-chemical potentials (μB> 500 MeV), effects of chiral symmetry, and the equation of state at high density as it is expected to occur in the core of neutron stars. In this article, we review the motivation for and the physics programme of CBM, including activities before the start of data taking in 2024, in the context of the worldwide efforts to explore high-density QCD matter

Challenges in QCD matter physics - The Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment at FAIR

Substantial experimental and theoretical efforts worldwide are devoted to explore the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter. At LHC and top RHIC energies, QCD matter is studied at very high temperatures and nearly vanishing net-baryon densities. There is evidence that a Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP) was created at experiments at RHIC and LHC. The transition from the QGP back to the hadron gas is found to be a smooth cross over. For larger net-baryon densities and lower temperatures, it is expected that the QCD phase diagram exhibits a rich structure, such as a first-order phase transition between hadronic and partonic matter which terminates in a critical point, or exotic phases like quarkyonic matter. The discovery of these landmarks would be a breakthrough in our understanding of the strong interaction and is therefore in the focus of various high-energy heavy-ion research programs. The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR will play a unique role in the exploration of the QCD phase diagram in the region of high net-baryon densities, because it is designed to run at unprecedented interaction rates. High-rate operation is the key prerequisite for high-precision measurements of multi-differential observables and of rare diagnostic probes which are sensitive to the dense phase of the nuclear fireball. The goal of the CBM experiment at SIS100 (sqrt(s_NN) = 2.7 - 4.9 GeV) is to discover fundamental properties of QCD matter: the phase structure at large baryon-chemical potentials (mu_B > 500 MeV), effects of chiral symmetry, and the equation-of-state at high density as it is expected to occur in the core of neutron stars. In this article, we review the motivation for and the physics programme of CBM, including activities before the start of data taking in 2022, in the context of the worldwide efforts to explore high-density QCD matter.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figures. Published in European Physical Journal

Ekological aspect of the geothermal potentials of ne Serbia

The explored area of Banat, located in NE Serbia, with its geological and geothermal characteristics, represents an area with extraordinary ecological potential. The geological structure of Banat is represented by various complexes of Neogene and Quaternary deposits. The Neogene sediments are mostly composed of sandstone, shale, marlstone, sand and gravel. Mesozoic igneous complex is represented by dacites, andesites and basalts. During Quaternary a relatively thick succession of genetically different types of sediments was deposited. Pleistocene and Holocene aeolian sand and loess and fluvial sandy-clayey alevrites, clays, sands and gravel cover the large area. Thickness and lithological composition of crust and lithosphere, as well as character, types and age of tectonic movements and magmatism decisively influence the content of radioactive elements (uranium, thorium and potassium) in the rocks. Nevertheless, the geothermal characteristics of a particular area are influenced in a significant extent by seismicity and hydrogeological properties. The small thickness of the crust and lithosphere, as a result of various geodynamic movements, during the lower and middle Miocene, classify the Pannonian Basin, and therefore the Banat area, among the most promising geothermal areas in Europe. The favorable geothermal characteristics of Banat also show high average values of geothermal gradient and terrestrial heat flux

Geochemical map 1:1.000.000 of western and southern part of Serbia with the ecological status

Geochemical map of western and souther part of Serbia covers an area of about 30 000 km2 and also basins of rivers Ibar, Western Morava, Kolubara, Drina and Grand Morava. Representative samples from relevant profiles were collected according to WEGS (Western European Geochemical association). Samples were collected at the A-horizon at a depth of 15-20 cm from the ground surface; OB-overbank sediments at the depth of 80-100 cm and S-modern stream sediment. Geochemical mapping of lithological members was performed at 66 locations. The contents of natural radionuclides238 U,232 Th and40 K were analyzed. The results are shown on maps at a scale of 1: 1000000. Preserved geochemical record in the coastal profile of river flows will contribute to the assessment of anthropogenic impacts in the environment of rural settlements, particularly in the identification of geopathogenic zones of influence of natural radionuclides on human health. Research results have been shown on geochemical maps, diagrams and tables

Effective valorisation of barley bran for simultaneous cellulase and beta-amylase production by Paenibacillus chitinolyticus CKS1: Statistical optimization and enzymes application

The agricultural raw industry generates large amounts of annually by-products that create disposal problems. Hitherto, there have been no reported papers about the simultaneous production of cellulase and beta-amylase from these raw materials using Paenibacillus sp. that would reduce the costs. Thus, in this paper simultaneous cellulase (CMC-ase and avicelase) and beta-amylase production using barley bran and the application of the natural isolate Paenibacillus chitinolyticus CKS1 and potential enzymes in the hydrolysis process was studied. Response surface methodology was used to obtain the maximum enzyme activity (CMC-ase 0.405 U mL(-1), avicelase 0.433 U mL(-1) and beta-amylase 1.594U mL(-1)). Scanning electron microscopy showed degradation of the lignocellulosic-starch structure of barley bran after fermentation. The CKS1 bacterial supernatant, which contains cellulases and beta-amylase, could hydrolyze cotton fibres and barley bran, respectively. The main products after enzymatic hydrolysis of cotton fibres and barley bran, glucose (0.117 (-1)(g gmat)) and maltose (0.347 (-1)(g gmat)), were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The produced enzymes could be used for hydrolysis of cotton fabric and barley bran to glucose and maltose, respectively. Application of simultaneous enzymes production using an agricultural by-product is economically and environmentally accepted and moreover, valuable biotechnological products, such as glucose and maltose, were obtained in this investigation

Enzymatic synthesis and application of fatty acid ascorbyl esters

Fatty acid ascorbyl esters are liposoluble substances that possess good antioxidative properties. These compounds could be synthesized by using various acyl donors for acylation of vitamin C in reaction catalyzed by chemical means or lipases. Enzymatic process is preferred since it is regioselective, performed under mild reaction conditions, with the obtained product being environmentally friendly. Polar organic solvents, ionic liquids, and supercritical fluids has been successfully used as a reaction medium, since commonly used solvents with high Log P values are inapplicable due to ascorbic acid high polarity. Acylation of vitamin C using fatty acids, their methyl-, ethyl-, and vinyl esters, as well as triglycerides has been performed, whereas application of the activated acyl donors enabled higher molar conversions. In each case, majority of authors reported that using excessive amount of the acyl donor had positive effect on yield of product. Furthermore, several strategies have been employed for shifting the equilibrium towards the product by water content control. These include adjusting the initial water activity by pre-equilibration of reaction mixture, enzyme preparation with water vapor of saturated salt solutions, and the removal of formed water by the addition of molecular sieves or salt hydrate pairs. The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of the procedures described so far for the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of fatty acid ascorbyl esters with emphasis on the potential application in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics. Furthermore, it has been pointed out that the main obstacles for process commercialization are long reaction times, lack of adequate purification methods, and high costs of lipases. Thus, future challenges in this area are testing new catalysts, developing continuous processes for esters production, finding cheaper acyl donors and reaction mediums, as well as identifying standard procedures for purification of products which will not require consumption of large amounts of non-biocompatible organic solvents