Surface reactions with participation of oxides of molybdenum and tungsten: the influence of external factors

This work is a continuation of the article “Surface reactions with participation of oxides of molybdenum and tungsten”, published in the previous issue of the journal. The influence of the electric field and the pressure of oxygen in the gas phase on the rate of surface reactions for the synthesis of molybdates of manganese and copper were investigated. It’s found that for the synthesis reaction of molybdate of copper the nature of the dependency of the rate of synthesis and rate of surface reactions from the external parameters are the same, indicating the crucial contribution of surface diffusion to the reactive mass transfer. For the synthesis reaction of molybdate of manganese the dependences of the rate of synthesis and of rate of surface reactions by external parameters differ, indicating that for this reaction, surface diffusion isn’t the main mechanism of mass transfer

Cumulative effects of offshore renewables : From pragmatic policies to holistic marine spatial planning tools

Acknowledgement This work was supported by Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC EP/S000747/1), the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) offshore energy Strategic Environmental Assessment Programme, PELAgIO https://ecowind.uk/projects/pelagio/ funded by NERC (NE/X008835/1) and EcoNex https://ukerc.ac.uk/project/the-marine-energy-biodiversity-and-food-nexus-econex/ funded by UKERC.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A new strategic framework to structure Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA)

Funding Information: This work was supported by Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC EP/S000747/1) and the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) offshore energy Strategic Environmental Assessment Programme. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A new strategic framework to structure cumulative impact assessment (CIA)

Funding Information: This work was supported by Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC EP/S000747/1) and the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) offshore energy Strategic Environmental Assessment Programme.Peer reviewedPostprin

Microbial Enrichment of a Novel Growing Substrate and its Effect on Plant Growth

The quality of torrefied grass fibers (TGF) as a new potting soil ingredient was tested in a greenhouse experiment. TGF was colonized with previously selected microorganisms. Four colonization treatments were compared: (1) no inoculants, (2) the fungus Coniochaeta ligniaria F/TGF15 alone, (3) the fungus followed by inoculation with two selected bacteria, and (4) the fungus with seven selected bacteria. Cultivation-based and DNA-based methods, i.e., PCR-DGGE and BOX-PCR, were applied to assess the bacterial and fungal communities established in the TGF. Although colonization was not performed under sterile conditions, all inoculated strains were recovered from TGF up to 26 days incubation. Stable fungal and bacterial populations of 108 and 109 CFU/g TGF, respectively, were reached. As a side effect of the torrefaction process that aimed at the chemical stabilization of grass fibers, potentially phytotoxic compounds were generated. These phytotoxic compounds were cold-extracted from the fibers and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Four of 15 target compounds that had previously been found in the extract of TGF were encountered, namely phenol, 2-methoxyphenol, benzopyran-2-one, and tetrahydro-5,6,7,7a-benzofuranone. The concentration of these compounds decreased significantly during incubation. The colonized TGF was mixed with peat (P) in a range of 100%:0%, 50%:50%, 20%:80%, and 0%:100% TGF/P (w/w), respectively, to assess suitability for plant growth. Germination of tomato seeds was assessed three times, i.e., with inoculated TGF that had been incubated for 12, 21, and 26 days. In these tests, 90–100% of the seeds germinated in 50%:50% and 20%:80% TGF/P, whereas on average only 50% of the seeds germinated in pure TGF. Germination was not improved by the microbial inoculants. However, plant fresh weight as well as leaf area of 28-day-old tomato plants were significantly increased in all treatments where C. ligniaria F/TGF15 was inoculated compared to the control treatment without microbial inoculants. Colonization with C. ligniaria also protected the substrate from uncontrolled colonization by other fungi. The excellent colonization of TGF by the selected plant-health promoting bacteria in combination with the fungus C. ligniaria offers the possibility to create disease suppressive substrate, meanwhile replacing 20% to 50% of peat in potting soil by TGF

Synthesis of a Sterically Encumbered Pincer Au(III)−OH Complex

We report the synthesis and crystallographic characterization of a novel Au(III)−OH complex featuring a N^N^N-pincer ligand. Reactivity studies towards oxygen atom transfer (OAT), a type of reactivity previously reported for a Au(III)−OH complex, indicate that this complex provides both a sterically encumbered Au atom and a sterically poorly accessible OH group leading to no reactivity with a series of phosphines. The steric encumbrance sets this example apart from the known examples of Au(III)−OH (pincer) complexes, which commonly feature planar ligands that provide little control over steric accessibility of the Au and O atoms in these complexes. Implications for the mechanism of OAT from Au−OH complexes are briefly discussed

Molecular mechanisms of autism as a form of synaptic dysfunction

Autism spectrum disorders are a separate group of defects with a very high genetic component. Genetic screening has identified hundreds of mutations and other genetic variations associated with autism, and bioinformatic analysis of signaling pathways and gene networks has led to understanding that many of these mutational changes are involved in the functioning of synapses. A synapse is a site of electrochemical communication between neurons and an essential subunit for learning and memory. Interneuronal communicative relationships are plastic. The most prominent forms of synaptic plasticity are accompanied by changes in protein biosynthesis, both in neuron body and in dendrites. Protein biosynthesis or translation is a carefully regulated process, with a central role played by mTOR (mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin). Normally mTOR-regulated translation is slightly inhibited, and in most cases mutational damage to at least one of the links of the mTOR signaling pathway, increases translation and leads to impaired synaptic plasticity and behavior. Deregulation of the local translation in dendrites is connected with the following monogenic autism spectrum disorders: neurofibromatosis type 1, Noonan syndrome, Costello syndrome, Cowden syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X chromosome, syndrome, and Rett syndrome. The review considers the most important mutations leading to monogenic autism, as well as the possibility of a mechanism-based treatment of certain disorders of the autism spectrum

Значение исследования семейного анамнеза при антифосфолипидном синдроме

The investigation of 82 families of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was performed. APS was diagnosed in 1st-degree relatives and woman more frequently. Minor features of APS were revealed in half of relatives, lupus anticoagulant (LA) — in a third of them. If person has APS in family anamnesis, minor features of APS or (and) LA, pre-APS can be diagnosed and primary prevention of thrombosis can be conducted.Проведено исследование 82 семей больных антифосфолипидным синдромом (АФС). АФС чаще диагностировался у родственников первой степени родства и у женщин. Малые проявления АФС обнаружены у половины родственников, волчаночный антикоагулянт (ВА) - у трети из них. При наличии АФС в семейном анамнезе, малых проявлений АФС и (или) ВА возможно выделение пре-АФС и проведение первичной профилактики тромбозов

Spectroscopic Manifestations and Implications for Catalysis of Quasi-d¹⁰ Configurations in Formal Gold(III) Complexes.

Several gold +I and +III complexes are investigated computationally and spectroscopically, focusing on the d-configuration and physical oxidation state of the metal center. Density functional theory calculations reveal the non-negligible electron-sharing covalent character of the metal-to-ligand σ-bonding framework. The bonding of gold(III) is shown to be isoelectronic to the formal CuIII complex [Cu(CF3)4]1- , in which the metal center tries to populate its formally unoccupied 3dx2-y2 orbital via σ-bonding, leading to a reduced d10 CuI description. However, Au L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals excitation into the d-orbital of the AuIII species is still possible, showing that a genuine d10 configuration is not achieved. We also find an increased electron-sharing nature of the σ-bonds in the AuI species, relative to their AgI and CuI analogues, due to the low-lying 6s orbital. We propose that gold +I and +III complexes form similar bonds with substrates, owing primarily to participation of the 5dx2-y2 or 6s orbital, respectively, in bonding, indicating why AuI and AuIII complexes often have similar reactivity

Неформальное образование: обзор современных исследований

Introduction. Non-formal education is gaining a new impetus in the establishment of a sustainable knowledge society. The article reveals major concerns of non-formal education as an element of life-long learning and adult education policies as well as its effective implementation into the national educational mainstream. Aim. The aim of the research is to conduct a detailed overview of various current studies, exemplifying the international experience in non-formal education and the case-studies of its adoption along with the mechanisms for its validation in different countries. Methodology and research methods. The work was based on the methodology of comparative analysis and qualitative content analysis of official UNESCO, CEDEFOP, etc. international statistical and analytical reports, academic and empirical studies. An analytical review shows policy changes towards the development of non-formal education as well as an international and available in individual countries experience of its studying and implementation. Results. Based on the compatibility scopes principle, three levels of analysis of non-formal education (macro-level/global, meso-level/institutional, micro-level/personal) were identified so that the key issues and trends in its development could be pinpointed at every stage. The conducted research leads to the conclusion that non-formal education practices are acquiring institutional forms. The level of non-formal education development in different countries varies. However, there are general trends towards solving a number of similar social problems by means of non-formal education, such as bridging the supply and demand for competencies in the labour market, social inclusion of different segments of the population, and others. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The novelty of this study is seen in the resource capacity of non-formal education, the potential of its implementation for the vocational re-skilling, upskilling and further training of various socio-demographic groups, its global development trends and prospects. The practical significance lies in the application of mechanisms for recognising non-formal education outcomes. The highlighted trends and the best international experience can provide non-formal education integration into the educational mainstream, create experimental learning platforms and accelerate practical educational policy measures.Введение. Неформальное образование приобретает новый импульс в контексте построения устойчивого и высокотехнологичного общества. Статья раскрывает актуальные проблемы развития неформального образования как элемента системы lifelong learning и образования взрослых. Цель. Целью настоящей работы является проведение аналитического обзора современных исследований, раскрывающих международный опыт изучения неформального образования, практик его применения в разных странах, а также механизмов признания его результатов. Методология и методы. Работа базировалась на методологии сопоставительного анализа и качественного контент-анализа международных статистических и аналитических отчетов ЮНЕСКО, CEDEFOP и др., академических и эмпирических исследований. В ходе аналитического обзора были рассмотрены изменения политики в отношении развития неформального образования, международный и имеющийся в отдельных странах опыт его изучения и реализации. Результаты. На основе принципа совмещения масштабов выделены три уровня анализа неформального образования (макроуровень/глобальный, мезоуровень/институциональный, микроуровень/личностный). На каждом из них выявлены и описаны ключевая проблематика и тренды в развитии неформального образования. Проведенное исследование дает основание полагать, что практики неформального образования приобретают институциональные формы. Уровень развития неформального образования в разных странах отличается, однако существуют общие тенденции к решению ряда схожих социальных задач за счет ресурсов неформального образования, таких как синхронизация спроса и предложения на рынке труда, социальная инклюзия разных категорий населения и др. Научная новизна и практическая значимость. Научная новизна исследования заключается в том, что аналитический обзор раскрывает ресурсный потенциал неформального образования, возможности его применения для переквалификации разных социально-демографических групп населения, глобальные тренды и перспективы его развития. Практическая значимость состоит в том, что показаны механизмы признания результатов неформального образования. Выявленные тренды и лучший международный опыт можно использовать для интеграции формального и неформального образования, создания экспериментальных площадок обучения, акселерации практических мер образовательной политики