Vibrational Study (Raman, SERS, and IR) of Plant Gallnut Polyphenols Related to the Fabrication of Iron Gall Inks

FT-Raman, FTIR, and SERS spectra of the structurally related gallnut polyphenols tannic acid, gallic acid, pyrogallol, and syringic acid are reported in this work aiming at performing a comparative assignation of the bands and finding specific marker features that can identify these compounds in complex polyphenol mixtures. Tannic and gallic acids are the principal components in oak gallnuts, and they can be found in iron gall inks. The different functional groups existing in these molecules and their spatial distribution lead to slight changes of the vibrations. The Raman spectra are dominated by bands corresponding to the ring vibrations, but the substituents in the ring strongly affect these vibrations. In contrast, the FTIR spectra of these molecules are dominated by the peripheral oxygen-containing substituents of the aromatic ring and afford complementary information. SERS spectroscopy can be used to analyze trace amounts of these compounds, but the spectra of these polyphenols show strong changes in comparison with the Raman spectra, indicating a strong interaction with the metal. The most significant modification observed in the SERS spectra of these compounds is the weakening of the benzene 8a ring vibration and the subsequent intensification of the 19a mode of the benzene ring. This mode is also more intense in the FTIR spectra, and its intensification in the SERS spectra could be related to a drastic change in the molecular polarizability associated with the interaction of the polyphenol with the metal in Ag NPs.

Loss of Melanopsin (OPN4) Leads to a Faster Cell Cycle Progression and Growth in Murine Melanocytes

Skin melanocytes harbor a complex photosensitive system comprised of opsins, which were shown, in recent years, to display light- and thermo-independent functions. Based on this premise, we investigated whether melanopsin, OPN4, displays such a role in normal melanocytes. In this study, we found that murine Opn4KO melanocytes displayed a faster proliferation rate compared to Opn4WT melanocytes. Cell cycle population analysis demonstrated that OPN4KO melanocytes exhibited a faster cell cycle progression with reduced G0–G1, and highly increased S and slightly increased G2/M cell populations compared to the Opn4WT counterparts. Expression of specific cell cycle-related genes in Opn4KO melanocytes exhibited alterations that corroborate a faster cell cycle progression. We also found significant modification in gene and protein expression levels of important regulators of melanocyte physiology. PER1 protein level was higher while BMAL1 and REV-ERBα decreased in Opn4KO melanocytes compared to Opn4WT cells. Interestingly, the gene expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was upregulated in Opn4KO melanocytes, which is in line with a higher proliferative capability. Taken altogether, we demonstrated that OPN4 regulates cell proliferation, cell cycle, and affects the expression of several important factors of the melanocyte physiology; thus, arguing for a putative tumor suppression role in melanocytes.

O DIREITO SUCESSÓRIO DOS FILHOS HAVIDOS POR INSEMINAÇÃO ARTIFICIAL HOMÓLOGA PÓS-MORTEM

The present work aims to analyze whether the children conceived after the death of the parent by homologous fertilization have the right to inheritance, seeking to conceptualize the institutes of inheritance law and artificial insemination, analyzing the constitutional principles and the sources of law, so that find the best answer on the topic. The article will be divided into 3 parts. The first will try to explain the succession law (master of the law that regulates the transfer of assets, rights and obligations to the heir after the death of an individual) in the light of Brazilian legislation, explaining the existing Types of Succession. The second part of this article will address Assisted Human Reproduction, pointing out the different conceptions of the concept of family that has undergone significant modification over time. In addition, the second part will also deal with Artificial Insemination, which is an assisted reproduction treatment that expands the possibilities of fertilization of the egg, as well as its divisions. It also points out the principles of Brazilian law applicable to assisted human reproduction. The last part of this work will analyze post mortem artificial insemination and the effects on inheritance law based on legislation, doctrine and principles applicable to the subject, pointing out the three doctrinal currents that emerged with the aim of filling this legislative vacuum. This research is categorized as explanatory, as it aims to identify the factors that determine and contribute to the succession of the post mortem inseminated child, the procedure used in this study will be the bibliographic research.

Modeling and Control of Flywheel-Integrated Generators in Split-Shaft Wind Turbines

This paper introduces the modeling and control of split-shaft drivetrains where the system's inertia is adjusted to store the energy. Accordingly, a flywheel is mechanically coupled with the rotor of a doubly-fed induction generator. The generator is driven by a split-shaft drivetrain that decouples the turbine's shaft from the shaft of the generator to provide independent control of their angular velocities. Hence, the turbine controller can track the point of maximum power (MPPT) while the generator controller can adjust the generator speed. Accordingly, The flywheel, which is directly connected to the shaft of the generator, is charged and discharged by controlling the generator speed. In this process, the flywheel can modify the electric power generation of the generator on-demand. Since the drivetrain is a split-shaft, the turbine speed is not affected by this energy storing process. This improves the quality of injected power to the grid. The structure of the flywheel energy storage can be simplified by removing its dedicated motor/generator and the power electronics driver. This significant modification can only occur in the split-shaft drivetrain. Two separate supervisory controllers are developed in the form of fuzzy logic regulators to generate a real-time output power reference. Furthermore, small-signal models are developed to analyze and improve the MPPT controller. Extensive simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of such a system and its improved quality of power generation.

Improvement of Buckling Behavior of Composite Plates Reinforced with Hybrids Nanomaterials Additives

Modifying buckling behavior of the composite structure has been investigated in the recent few years with different reinforcement fiber and powder materials and nanomaterials. It can be seen from previous studies that the addition of nanomaterials leads to a significant modification in the buckling behavior of structure by using a low mount of nanomaterials. In this work, reinforcement of composite materials using two types of nanomaterials together, SiO2 and Al2O3 nanomaterials, to modify the buckling behavior for plate structure is studied. Therefore, the investigation was done experimentally and numerically. The experimental work is performed by manufacturing composite plates with various weight fractions with the nanoeffect, and then their mechanical properties and buckling characterization were evaluated. The numerical work was done using the finite element method to estimate the plate structure’s buckling behavior with various nanomaterials effects. A comparison between the experimental and the numerical results for plate buckling behavior is expressed, showing that the discrepancy of the results was not more than 12.56%. Finally, the results showed that the buckling behavior for a reinforced plate was improved by 35% when two types of nanomaterials were used together.

Static Magnetic Fields Effects on Polysaccharides Production by Different Microalgae Strains

Microalgae are able to produce many valuable biomolecules, such as polysaccharides, that presents a large diversity of biochemical structures and functions as antioxidant, antifungal, anticancer, among others. Static magnetic fields (SMF) influence the metabolism of microorganisms and has been shown as an alternative to increase microalgae biomass, yield and compounds production. Especially, some studies have highlighted that SMF application could enhance carbohydrate content. This study aimed to evaluate different conditions of SMF on Spirulina and Chlorella in indoor and outdoor conditions, in order to confirm the influence of SMF on polysaccharides production, evaluating which polysaccharidic fraction could be enhanced by SMF and highlighting a possible modification in EPS composition. Starch from Chlorella and exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Spirulina were quantified and characterized. SMF increased the starch content in Chorella fusca biomass. EPS productions from A. platensis and Spirulina sp. were not significantly increased, and global composition appeared similar to the controls (constituted basically of 80%–86% neutral sugars and 13%–19% uronic acids). However, the monosaccharide composition analysis revealed a significant modification of composition, i.e., the amount of fucose, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose and glucuronic acid was increased, while the glucose content was decreased. SMF application led to significant modification of polysaccharides production and this study demonstrate that combining the outdoor conditions with SMF, the starch content and EPS composition was positively affected.

Formation of the trial jury in the period of the pandemic: Russian and foreign experience

The prerequisites for the research were formed by a complex collision between the legal nature of proceedings in the jury court and the standard sanitary and epidemiological restrictions. This collision was revealed in the course of the theoretical treatment of administration of justice in the pandemic period. The primary stage of judicial proceedings involving the participation of the jury was highlighted by the authors as a subject of the research – formation of the trial jury, where the said collision appears to be especially acute. The purpose of the study was to search for possible solutions to this collision; the objective – verification of the hypothesis stating that the pandemic situation has engendered a significant modification of the procedural form of trial jury selection. To resolve this problem, the normative approach, along with the method of legal comparative studies, was used: the criminal procedure legislation and the practice of its enforcement in the Russian Federation and a number of foreign countries was analysed. General logical methods were used: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, abstraction and progression from the abstract to the concrete, etc. The result of the research is the identification of special approaches in the Russian and foreign models of court proceedings involving the participation of the jury, reflecting the intention to adjust the procedure of trial jury formation to the pandemic period requirements: telecommuted formation of the trial jury in full or in part; replacing verbal questioning of candidates to the jury with a written questionnaire; extending the questioning of jury candidates through the inclusion of specific issues concerning the epidemiological situation. The hypothesis proposed in the publication was confirmed, in particular, relative to the Russian court proceedings with the participation of the jury.

Модификация гребневых волноводов полупроводниковых лазеров фокусированным ионным пучком

We studied the influence of the focused ion beam milling of ridge waveguides on lasing parameters of edge-emitting lasers, based on a separate confinement double heterostructure. It is shown that there are three degrees of influence, according to the etching depth: modification of the waveguide properties only, a decrease in efficiency without changing the threshold current, and a simultaneous deterioration in the threshold current and efficiency with significant modification of the optical characteristics of the laser.

Prudential bank regulation: a post-Keynesian perspective

Banks play an important role in the post-Keynesian theory of endogenous money but post-Keynesians have not paid much attention to the prudential regulation of banks. Do post-Keynesian insights into the role of banks cast any light on the way they ought to be regulated, or can the conventional treatment of prudential bank regulation be grafted onto post-Keynesian theory without any significant modification? This paper begins a process of reflection on these questions. It argues that conventional prudential regulation theory can be utilised by post-Keynesians but with important modifications including a renewed emphasis on liquidity and greater recognition of endogenously generated systemic risk. A post-Keynesian approach to prudential bank regulation is shown to be characterised by both liquidity and capital requirements, as well as by a macroprudential framework that facilitates the counter-cyclical adjustment of these requirements in response to endogenous variations in systemic risk.