Trace elements in medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes—do they have a role in the claimed therapeutic effect?

Medicinal plants are often used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, although knowledge about their mode of action and the substances responsible for their antidiabetic potential is limited. It is well known that some trace elements play a role in glucose metabolism and insulin action. Thus, a particular trace elements profile could be associated with the antidiabetic properties observed for some medicinal plants. Methods: Infusions (n = 102) prepared from commercial herbal products (n = 34) containing medicinal plants indicated for the treatment of diabetes (n = 16 different plant species) and infusions (n = 60) prepared from commercial herbal products (n = 20) containing medicinal plants without such an indication (n = 7 different plant species) were analyzed by ICP-MS for their trace elements content. In both groups, results varied significantly between different medicinal plants and also between different origins (brands) of the same medicinal plant. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups were found for nine elements, including four trace elements related to glucose metabolism (Mn, B, V, and Se), but with lower median contents in the group of medicinal plants for diabetes. Except for some particular species (e.g., Myrtilli folium) in which the trace element Mn may play a role in its antidiabetic effect, globally, a direct association between the claimed antidiabetic properties and a specific trace element profile of the studied medicinal plants was not evident.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Graphene growth on Ge(100)/Si(100) substrates by CVD method

The successful integration of graphene into microelectronic devices is strongly dependent on the availability of direct deposition processes, which can provide uniform, large area and high quality graphene on nonmetallic substrates. As of today the dominant technology is based on Si and obtaining graphene with Si is treated as the most advantageous solution. However, the formation of carbide during the growth process makes manufacturing graphene on Si wafers extremely challenging. To overcome these difficulties and reach the set goals, we proposed growth of high quality graphene layers by the CVD method on Ge(100)/Si(100) wafers. In addition, a stochastic model was applied in order to describe the graphene growth process on the Ge(100)/Si(100) substrate and to determine the direction of further processes. As a result, high quality graphene was grown, which was proved by Raman spectroscopy results, showing uniform monolayer films with FWHM of the 2D band of 32 cm−1

Longitudinal Beam Dynamics and Coherent Synchrotron Radiation at cSTART

The compact STorage ring for Accelerator Research and Technology (cSTART) project aims to store electron bunches of LWFA-like beams in a very large momentum acceptance storage ring. The project will be realized at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT, Germany). Initially, the Ferninfrarot Linac- Und Test-Experiment (FLUTE), a source of ultra-short bunches, will serve as an injector for cSTART to benchmark and emulate laser-wakefield accelerator-like beams. In a second stage a laser-plasma accelerator will be used as an injector, which is being developed as part of the ATHENA project in collaboration with DESY and Helmholtz Institute Jena (HIJ). With an energy of 50 MeV and damping times of several seconds, the electron beam does not reach equilibrium emittance. Furthermore, the critical frequency of synchrotron radiation is 50 THz and in the same order as the bunch spectrum, which implies that the entire bunch radiates coherently. We perform longitudinal particle tracking simulations to investigate the evolution of the bunch length and spectrum as well as the emitted coherent synchrotron radiation. Finally, different options for the RF system are discussed

Systematic Beam Parameter Studies at the Injector Section of FLUTE

FLUTE (Ferninfrarot Linac- und Test-Experiment) is a compact linac-based test facility for accelerator R&D and source of intense THz radiation for photon science. In preparation for the next experiments, the electron beam of the injector section of FLUTE has been characterized. In systematic studies the electron beam parameters, e.g., beam energy and emittance, are measured with several diagnostic systems. This knowledge allows the establishment of different operation settings and the optimization of electron beam parameters for future experiments

Evaluation of Natural Airfield Pavements Condition Based on the Airfield Pavement Condition Index (APCI)

Natural pavements are an important element of flights. Among other things, they allow the plane to be safely slowed down after it has exited the runway. For this reason, load bearing capacity of natural airfield pavements and strength of turf layer at a specified level are required. Currently used testing methods, such as CBR (Californian Bearing Ratio) tests or turf probe test, separately do not give a full image of pavement technical condition. The authors presented the methodology for assessing the technical condition of natural airfield surfaces based on the APCI (Airfield Pavement Condition Index). The index is based at the same time on the load bearing capacity of the surface layer up to 0.85 m and turf layer strength. The mathematical model and the classification of airfield pavements in terms of the APCI indicator are presented. The article also presents an example of using the APCI method to assess shoulders and end safety areas of the runway at one of the operating airport facilities

Complex Method of Airfield Pavement Condition Evaluation Based on APCI Index

Airfield infrastructure management should be effective. First of all, renovation works should be planned and carried out so that the equipment or resources, both financial and personal, are used optimally. The basis for planning funds should be knowledge about the actual pavement condition and, more importantly, the future pavement condition. The main goal of the paper is to present a complex method of technical condition assessment of airfield pavements made of cement and asphalt concrete, as well as natural pavements, which are part of the ground maneuvering field on each airfield. The authors propose a new method of assessing the technical condition of the pavement based on the Airfield Pavement Condition Index (APCI). Compared to existing methods, based mostly on the visual assessment of the pavement surface damages, the APCI method also includes the inventory of the repairs and diagnostic tests such as the assessment of the load capacity, evenness, anti-skid properties and the surface layer tensile bond strength. The presented mathematical models enable automation of pavement assessment process. That can lower costs and speed up whole evaluation

Assessment of the Impact of Atmospheric Corrosivity on the Cement Concrete Airfield Pavement’s Operation Process

The aim of this research is to assess corrosion in natural atmospheric conditions, based on exposure of material samples and periodic monitoring, and to determine the size of corrosion losses, their form and appearance, as well as changes in physical properties at regular time intervals. Atmospheric corrosion tests were ultimately carried out in order to determine the corrosion resistance of a cement concrete airfield pavement, as well as to assess the type of corrosion and research data in order to determine and estimate the corrosivity of the atmosphere. Atmospheric corrosivity is one of the parameters characterizing the technical condition of airfield pavement functional elements; it makes it possible to estimate a suitable frequency of airfield periodic inspections. Assessments of concrete corrosion and atmospheric corrosivity enable appropriate countermeasures to be taken in order to maintain the airport functional elements in a constant state of technical readiness. In the following study, the prepared samples were exposed to atmospheric conditions in designated places located at selected military airport facilities. Corrosion samples in the form of 50 mm &times; 100 mm standard samples, 1 mm to 3 mm in thickness, were placed on special frames located within fenced corrosion stations. The corrosion rate rcorr of a specific metal, expressed as a corrosion loss, depends on the environmental conditions. This article presents an atmosphere corrosivity category assessment for low-carbon steel, zinc, copper and aluminum reference samples, taking into account weight or thickness loss after one year of exposure