Maceral and biomarker composition of lignite lithotypes - Implications on palaeoenvironment and grindability properties

Maceral and biomarker composition of different lignite lithotypes: matrix-coal, pale yellow xylite-rich coal, dark yellow xylite-rich coal, brown xylite-rich coal, mineral-rich coal and dopplerite originating from the Upper Miocene (“Pontian”) Kostolac Basin, Serbia was studied in detail. The objective was to establish the sources of organic matter and to determine palaeoenvironmental conditions which resulted in formation of different lignite lithotypes. Moreover, the influence of lignite lithotypes on grindability properties has also been assessed. Mineral-rich coal was formed in topogenous fresh water peat mire with open water areas. Formation of matrix coal was performed in reed march. The peatification of pale yellow- and dark yellow xylite proceeded in dry forest swamp. Brown xylite was formed in wet forest swamp, whereas dopplerite could have formed during transition of wet forest swamp into bush mire. Contents of liptinites, inertinites, gelinite, mineral matter, sesquiterpenoids, hopanoids and n-alkanes have positive impact on Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI), whereas total huminites, telohuminite and total organic carbon content, as well as retene/2-methyl, 1-(4’-methylpentyl), 6-isopropylnaphthalene ratio exhibited negative influence on HGI

Quantum-entanglement aspects of polaron systems

We describe quantum entanglement inherent to the polaron ground states of coupled electron-phonon (or, more generally, particle-phonon) systems based on a model comprising both local (Holstein-type) and nonlocal (Peierls-type) coupling. We study this model using a variational method supplemented by the exact numerical diagonalization on a system of finite size. By way of subsequent numerical diagonalization of the reduced density matrix, we determine the particle-phonon entanglement as given by the von Neumann and linear entropies. Our results are strongly indicative of the intimate relationship between the particle localization/delocalization and the particle-phonon entanglement. In particular, we find a compelling evidence for the existence of a nonanalyticity in the entanglement entropies with respect to the Peierls-coupling strength. The occurrence of such nonanalyticity -- not accompanied by an actual quantum phase transition -- reinforces analogous conclusion drawn in several recent studies of entanglement in the realm of quantum-dissipative systems. In addition, we demonstrate that the entanglement entropies saturate inside the self-trapped region where the small-polaron states are nearly maximally mixed.Comment: Selected PRB Editors' Suggestion in 1 Dec Issu

Femtosecond laser spectroscopy for exploration of space

Space agencies around the world have the exploration of solar system bodies in the focus of their activities for decades already. The search for traces of life and to a better understanding of the geology of planets, moons and asteroids motivates these explorations. Our (DLR institute for Optical Sensor Systems (DLR-OS)) contribution to this topic is the development of spectroscopic sensors for material identification. DLR-OS is developing a wide range of spectroscopic sensors that reach from passive infrared spectrometers for remote sensing employed on orbiters to active laser spectroscopies such as NIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy or Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy that are employed on robotic lander missions. Space, weight and power restrictions as well as robustness against harsh environmental conditions are inherent prerequisites for space missions and lead to specific design solutions for these instruments. Driven by emerging technology of space ready short-pulsed (femtosecond) lasers [1,2], we are introducing the new topic of time domain spectroscopies to space exploration. In this work, we present our first results on coherent phonon and THz time domain spectroscopies on space relevant minerals.IX International School and Conference on Photonics : PHOTONICA2023 : book of abstracts; August 28 - September 1, 2023; Belgrad

Balkans' Asteraceae Species as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds for the Pharmaceutical and Food Industry

Herbal drugs are a useful source of different bioactive compounds. Asteraceae species, as the most widespread vascular plants, can be used both as food and as medicine due to the great diversity of recorded chemical components - different phenolic compounds, terpenes, carotenoids, vitamins, alkaloids, etc. The Balkan Peninsula is characterized by great diversity of plants from Asteraceae family, including presence of rare and endemic species. In this review, results of the survey of chemical composition and biological activity, mainly focusing on antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects of selected Balkans' Asteraceae species were provided. In addition, information on edible plants from Asteraceae family is presented, due to growing interest for the so-called 'healthy diet' and possible application of Balkans' Asteraceae species as food of high nutritional value or as a source of functional food ingredients.This is peer-reviewed version of the following article: Kostić, A.; Janacković, P.; Kolasinac, S. M.; Dajić-Stevanović, Z. Balkans’ Asteraceae Species as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds for the Pharmaceutical and Food Industry. Chemistry & Biodiversity 2020, 17 (6). [https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202000097

Origins and genetic legacy of prehistoric dogs

Dogs were the first domestic animal, but little is known about their population history and to what extent it was linked to humans. We sequenced 27 ancient dog genomes and found that all dogs share a common ancestry distinct from present-day wolves, with limited gene flow from wolves since domestication but substantial dog-to-wolf gene flow. By 11,000 years ago, at least five major ancestry lineages had diversified, demonstrating a deep genetic history of dogs during the Paleolithic. Coanalysis with human genomes reveals aspects of dog population history that mirror humans, including Levant-related ancestry in Africa and early agricultural Europe. Other aspects differ, including the impacts of steppe pastoralist expansions in West and East Eurasia and a near-complete turnover of Neolithic European dog ancestry

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on endothelial function:a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

Background: In addition to regulating calcium homoeostasis and bone health, vitamin D influences vascular and metabolic processes including endothelial function (EF) and insulin signalling. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) were conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on EF and to examine whether the effect size was modified by health status, study duration, dose, route of vitamin D administration, vitamin D status (baseline and post-intervention), body mass index (BMI), age and type of vitamin D.  Methods: We searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases from inception until March 2015 for studies meeting the following criteria: (1) RCT with adult participants, (2) vitamin D administration alone, (3) studies that quantified EF using commonly applied methods including ultrasound, plethysmography, applanation tonometry and laser Doppler.  Results: Sixteen articles reporting data for 1177 participants were included. Study duration ranged from 4 to 52 weeks. The effect of vitamin D on EF was not significant (SMD: 0.08, 95 % CI −0.06, 0.22, p = 0.28). Subgroup analysis showed a significant improvement of EF in diabetic subjects (SMD: 0.31, 95 % CI 0.05, 0.57, p = 0.02). A non-significant trend was found for diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.02; p = 0.07) and BMI (β = 0.05; p = 0.06).  Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation did not improve EF. The significant effect of vitamin D in diabetics and a tendency for an association with BMI may indicate a role of excess adiposity and insulin resistance in modulating the effects of vitamin D on vascular function. This remains to be tested in future studies

Antibacterial activity of traditional medicinal plants used by Haudenosaunee peoples of New York State

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance, as well as the evolution of new strains of disease causing agents, is of great concern to the global health community. Our ability to effectively treat disease is dependent on the development of new pharmaceuticals, and one potential source of novel drugs is traditional medicine. This study explores the antibacterial properties of plants used in Haudenosaunee traditional medicine. We tested the hypothesis that extracts from Haudenosaunee medicinal plants used to treat symptoms often caused by bacterial infection would show antibacterial properties in laboratory assays, and that these extracts would be more effective against moderately virulent bacteria than less virulent bacteria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After identification and harvesting, a total of 57 different aqueous extractions were made from 15 plant species. Nine plant species were used in Haudenosaunee medicines and six plant species, of which three are native to the region and three are introduced, were not used in traditional medicine. Antibacterial activity against mostly avirulent (<it>Escherichia coli, Streptococcus lactis</it>) and moderately virulent (<it>Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus</it>) microbes was inferred through replicate disc diffusion assays; and observed and statistically predicted MIC values were determined through replicate serial dilution assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although there was not complete concordance between the traditional use of Haudenosaunee medicinal plants and antibacterial activity, our data support the hypothesis that the selection and use of these plants to treat disease was not random. In particular, four plant species exhibited antimicrobial properties as expected (<it>Achillea millefolium, Ipomoea pandurata, Hieracium pilosella</it>, and <it>Solidago canadensis</it>), with particularly strong effectiveness against <it>S. typhimurium</it>. In addition, extractions from two of the introduced species (<it>Hesperis matronalis </it>and <it>Rosa multiflora</it>) were effective against this pathogen.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggest that further screening of plants used in traditional Haudenosaunee medicine is warranted, and we put forward several species for further investigation of activity against <it>S. typhimurium </it>(<it>A. millefolium, H. matronalis, I. pandurata, H. pilosella, R. multiflora, S. canadensis</it>).</p