170 research outputs found
An algebraic formulation of nonassociative quantum mechanics
We develop a suitably general version of quantum mechanics that can handle
nonassociative algebras of observables and which reduces to standard quantum
theory in the traditional associative setting. Our algebraic approach is
naturally probabilistic and is based on the universal enveloping algebra of a
general nonassociative algebra. We formulate properties of states together with
notions of trace, and use them to develop GNS constructions. We describe
Heisenberg and Schrodinger pictures of completely positive dynamics, and we
illustrate our formalism on the explicit examples of finite-dimensional matrix
Jordan algebras as well as the octonion algebra.Comment: 34 pages; v2: minor correction
Non-Geometric Fluxes, Quasi-Hopf Twist Deformations and Nonassociative Quantum Mechanics
We analyse the symmetries underlying nonassociative deformations of geometry
in non-geometric R-flux compactifications which arise via T-duality from closed
strings with constant geometric fluxes. Starting from the non-abelian Lie
algebra of translations and Bopp shifts in phase space, together with a
suitable cochain twist, we construct the quasi-Hopf algebra of symmetries that
deforms the algebra of functions and the exterior differential calculus in the
phase space description of nonassociative R-space. In this setting
nonassociativity is characterised by the associator 3-cocycle which controls
non-coassociativity of the quasi-Hopf algebra. We use abelian 2-cocycle twists
to construct maps between the dynamical nonassociative star product and a
family of associative star products parametrized by constant momentum surfaces
in phase space. We define a suitable integration on these nonassociative spaces
and find that the usual cyclicity of associative noncommutative deformations is
replaced by weaker notions of 2-cyclicity and 3-cyclicity. Using this star
product quantization on phase space together with 3-cyclicity, we formulate a
consistent version of nonassociative quantum mechanics, in which we calculate
the expectation values of area and volume operators, and find coarse-graining
of the string background due to the R-flux.Comment: 38 pages; v2: typos corrected, reference added; v3: typos corrected,
comments about cyclicity added in section 4.2, references updated; Final
version to be published in Journal of Mathematical Physic
Characterization of an Insoluble and Soluble Form of Melanin Produced by Streptomyces cavourensis SV 21, a Sea Cucumber Associated Bacterium
Melanin is a widely distributed and striking dark-colored pigment produced by countless living organisms. Although a wide range of bioactivities have been recognized, there are still major constraints in using melanin for biotechnological applications such as its fragmentary known chemical structure and its insolubility in inorganic and organic solvents. In this study, a bacterial culture of Streptomyces cavourensis SV 21 produced two distinct forms of melanin: (1) a particulate, insoluble form as well as (2) a rarely observed water-soluble form. The here presented novel, acid-free purification protocol of purified particulate melanin (PPM) and purified dissolved melanin (PDM) represents the basis for an in-depth comparison of their physicochemical and biological properties, which were compared to the traditional acid-based precipitation of melanin (AM) and to a synthetic melanin standard (SM). Our data show that the differences in solubility between PDM and PPM in aqueous solutions may be a result of different adjoining cation species, since the soluble PDM polymer is largely composed of Mg2+ ions and the insoluble PPM is dominated by Ca2+ ions. Furthermore, AM shared most properties with SM, which is likely attributed to a similar, acid-based production protocol. The here presented gentler approach of purifying melanin facilitates a new perspective of an intact form of soluble and insoluble melanin that is less chemical altered and thus closer to its original biological form
Anti-Fouling Effects of Saponin-Containing Crude Extracts from Tropical Indo-Pacific Sea Cucumbers
Sea cucumbers are bottom dwelling invertebrates, which are mostly found on subtropical and tropical sea grass beds, sandy reef flats, or reef slopes. Although constantly exposed to fouling communities in these habitats, many species are surprisingly free of invertebrate epibionts and microfouling algae such as diatoms. In our study, we investigated the anti-fouling (AF) activities of different crude extracts of tropical Indo-Pacific sea cucumber species against the fouling diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. Nine sea cucumber species from three genera (i.e., Holothuria, Bohadschia, Actinopyga) were selected and extracted to assess their AF activities. To verify whether the sea cucumber characteristic triterpene glycosides were responsible for the observed potent AF activities, we tested purified fractions enriched in saponins isolated from Bohadschia argus, representing one of the most active anti-fouling extracts. Saponins were quantified by vanillin-sulfuric acid colorimetric assays and identified by LC-MS and LC-MS/MS analyses. We were able to demonstrate that AF activities in sea cucumber extracts were species-specific, and growth inhibition as well as attachment of the diatom to surfaces is dependent on the saponin concentration (i.e., Actinopyga contained the highest quantities), as well as on the molecular composition and structure of the present saponins (i.e., Bivittoside D derivative was the most bioactive compound). In conclusion, the here performed AF assay represents a promising and fast method for selecting the most promising bioactive organism as well as for identifying novel compounds with potent AF activities for the discovery of potentially novel pharmacologically active natural products
Host-specific assembly of sponge-associated prokaryotes at high taxonomic ranks
Sponges (Porifera) are abundant and diverse members of benthic filter feeding communities in most marine ecosystems, from the deep sea to tropical reefs. A characteristic feature is the associated dense and diverse prokaryotic community present within the sponge mesohyl. Previous molecular genetic studies revealed the importance of host identity for the community composition of the sponge-associated microbiota. However, little is known whether sponge host-specific prokaryotic community patterns observed at 97% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity are consistent at high taxonomic ranks (from genus to phylum level). In the present study, we investigated the prokaryotic community structure and variation of 24 sponge specimens (seven taxa) and three seawater samples from Sweden. Results show that the resemblance of prokaryotic communities at different taxonomic ranks is consistent with patterns present at 97% operational taxonomic unit level
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