North-south differentiation and a region of high diversity in European wolves (Canis lupus)

European wolves (Canis lupus) show population genetic structure in the absence of geographic barriers, and across relatively short distances for this highly mobile species. Additional information on the location of and divergence between population clusters is required, particularly because wolves are currently recolonizing parts of Europe. We evaluated genetic structure in 177 wolves from 11 countries using over 67K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. The results supported previous findings of an isolated Italian population with lower genetic diversity than that observed across other areas of Europe. Wolves from the remaining countries were primarily structured in a north-south axis, with Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece (Dinaric-Balkan) differentiated from northcentral wolves that included individuals from Finland, Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia. Carpathian Mountain wolves in central Europe had genotypes intermediate between those identified in northcentral Europe and the Dinaric-Balkan cluster. Overall, individual genotypes from northcentral Europe suggested high levels of admixture. We observed high diversity within Belarus, with wolves from western and northern Belarus representing the two most differentiated groups within northcentral Europe. Our results support the presence of at least three major clusters (Italy, Carpathians, Dinaric-Balkan) in southern and central Europe. Individuals from Croatia also appeared differentiated from wolves in Greece and Bulgaria. Expansion from glacial refugia, adaptation to local environments, and human-related factors such as landscape fragmentation and frequent killing of wolves in some areas may have contributed to the observed patterns. Our findings can help inform conservation management of these apex predators and the ecosystems of which they are part

Quantum dots photoinduced charges dynamics – model of crystall lattice defects

We report the results of core-shell (CdSe/CdS) quantum dots study. Quantum dots sizes were evaluated as 2.0 and 2.9 nm from absorbance edge position. We suggest two types of traps, predict properties of these traps based on upconversion luminescence data and previous studies of quantum dots (CdSe cores only) and bulk CdS

Quantum dots photoinduced charges dynamics – model of crystall lattice defects

We report the results of core-shell (CdSe/CdS) quantum dots study. Quantum dots sizes were evaluated as 2.0 and 2.9 nm from absorbance edge position. We suggest two types of traps, predict properties of these traps based on upconversion luminescence data and previous studies of quantum dots (CdSe cores only) and bulk CdS

Upconversion nanoparticles based on rare-earth elements

Using the hydrothermal method, we synthesized water soluble YVO4: Yb, Er nanoparticles with a size less than 10 nm. Nanoparticles exhibit intense luminescence in the green region due to Er3+ ions when excited by laser radiation at a wavelength of 980 nm as a result of the up-conversion process. Bright and stable luminescence also persists in an aqueous solution of nanoparticles. Based on experimental data, it can be argued that the objects obtained are promising in biological applications, as well as up-conversion phosphors

Upconversion nanoparticles based on rare-earth elements

Using the hydrothermal method, we synthesized water soluble YVO4: Yb, Er nanoparticles with a size less than 10 nm. Nanoparticles exhibit intense luminescence in the green region due to Er3+ ions when excited by laser radiation at a wavelength of 980 nm as a result of the up-conversion process. Bright and stable luminescence also persists in an aqueous solution of nanoparticles. Based on experimental data, it can be argued that the objects obtained are promising in biological applications, as well as up-conversion phosphors

Mesogenic and Luminescent Properties of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Containing Eu(III) and Tb(III) Ions

Lyotropic metallomesogens containing trivalent rare-earth metal ions have unique attractive behavior due to the combination of some specific properties of the lanthanide ions with anisotropic supramolecular organization liquid crystal and provide new promises in biochemistry and materials science. In this article, we have studied the liquid crystal and luminescence properties of lyotropic systems containing Eu^III and Tb^III ions based on nonionic surfactants. The type, the structural parameters of the mesophases, and the structure of a liquid crystal complex have been investigated using polarized optical microscopy (POM), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared. In addition, on the basis of the luminescence lifetime, the structure of the first coordination sphere was determined. The results obtained based on time-resolved spectroscopy data are discussed in the light of the influence ligand environment, ion type, and the type of supramolecular organization on the luminescence efficiency of lyotropic lanthanide containing systems. The first time was reported for Eu^III complexes increasing the luminescence efficiency in the hexagonal phase compared to the lamellar mesophase