Berry phase for a spin 1/2 particle in a classical fluctuating field

The effect of fluctuations in the classical control parameters on the Berry phase of a spin 1/2 interacting with an adiabatically cyclically varying magnetic field is analyzed. It is explicitly shown that in the adiabatic limit dephasing is due to fluctuations of the dynamical phase.

Grape-seed procyanidins modulate cellular membrane potential and nutrient-induced GLP-1 secretion in STC-1 cells

Grape-seed procyanidins (GSPE) modulate glucose homeostasis and it was suggested that GSPE may achieve this by enhancing the secretion of incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine in detail the effects of GSPE on intestinal endocrine cells (STC-1). GSPE was found to modulate plasma membrane potential in enteroendocrine cells, inducing depolarization at low concentrations (0.05 mg/L) and hyperpolarization at high concentrations (50 mg/L), and surprisingly this was also accompanied by suppressed GLP-1 secretion. Furthermore, how GSPE affects STC-1 cells under nutrient-stimulated conditions (i.e. glucose, linoleic acid and L-proline) was also explored, and we found that the higher GSPE concentration was effective in limiting membrane depolarization and reducing GLP-1 secretion. Next, it was also examined whether GSPE affected mitochondrial membrane potential, finding that this too is altered by GSPE, however this does not appear to explain the observed effects on plasma membrane potential and GLP-1 secretion. In conclusion, our results show that grape-seed procyanidins modulate cellular membrane potential and nutrient-induced enteroendocrine hormone secretion in STC-1 cells.

Nonlinear optics from an ab initio approach by means of the dynamical Berry phase: Application to second- and third-harmonic generation in semiconductors

We present an ab initio real-time-based computational approach to study nonlinear optical properties in condensed matter systems that is especially suitable for crystalline solids and periodic nanostructures. The equations of motion and the coupling of the electrons with the external electric field are derived from the Berry-phase formulation of the dynamical polarization [Souza et al., Phys. Rev. B 69, 085106 (2004)]. Many-body effects are introduced by adding single-particle operators to the independent-particle Hamiltonian. We add a Hartree operator to account for crystal local effects and a scissor operator to correct the independent particle band structure for quasiparticle effects. We also discuss the possibility of accurately treating excitonic effects by adding a screened Hartree-Fock self-energy operator. The approach is validated by calculating the second-harmonic generation of SiC and AlAs bulk semiconductors: an excellent agreement is obtained with existing ab initio calculations from response theory in frequency domain [Luppi et al., Phys. Rev. B 82, 235201 (2010)]. We finally show applications to the second-harmonic generation of CdTe and the third-harmonic generation of Si. 

Sustainable viticulture in Bairrada appellation: vineyard and harvest year effects on grapes oenological potential

The sustainable viticulture of a region passes, among other aspects, for maximizing the varieties potential minimizing subsequent interventions during winemaking, which should contribute to the production of quality wines maintaining their typicity and rationalizing costs. The detailed knowledge of each Appellation specificities, namely vineyard parcel (soil type and topographical peculiarities) and harvest climatic conditions is crucial for sustainability in this sector. Thus, in line with this current trend, the starting point for the development of this PhD thesis was to evaluate the oenological potential of different varieties cultivated throughout Bairrada Appellation (Portugal). During maturation several changes in grape varieties occur, namely berries become sweeter, less acidic, and they develop flavour, aroma and colour properties. The development of these characteristics is essential to define grapes oenological potential, i.e. to estimate the possibility of their usage to produce specific wines. A three years sampling plan was designed to evaluate the effect of harvest year and parcel characteristics on V. vinifera cv. Arinto, Bical, Sauvignon Blanc, Baga, Castelão, Touriga Nacional, and Sousão grapes composition. For each variety, 3 parcels with different characteristics were selected. Several physicochemical parameters were evaluated, during maturation: berry weight, pH, titratable acidity, sugar and phenolic contents, antiradical activity, and volatile composition (free fraction). Special attention was devoted to grapes at technologic maturity, since, besides these parameters, glycosidically-linked fraction was also considered. By using the results obtained at technologic maturity, a comprehensive approach was applied to identify the significance of harvest and parcel characteristics effects on each variety composition. Considering all the parameters under study, it may be highlighted some significant differences. According to the obtained results determined during maturation, it was possible to conclude that Arinto, Bical and Sauvignon Blanc grapes from parcels with clay-sandy and clay-calcareous soils have higher phenolic content and antiradical activity. Otherwise, Sauvignon Blanc presented similar volatile composition for grapes cultivated in the 3 parcels, while Arinto and Bical exhibited higher volatile content in grapes from claysandy and clay-calcareous soils. For Baga, Castelão and Touriga Nacional red varieties, grapes with higher phenolic content, antiradical activity, and volatile content were obtained from clayey and clay-calcareous soils. Furthermore, for Touriga Nacional, parcels altitude seems also to modulate grapes composition. Beyond parcel effect, harvest year conditions also influence grapes composition: 2011 harvest was related with lower phenolic and volatile contents, as well as lower antiradical activity.For grapes collected at technologic maturity, analysis of variance-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) was applied combining all the parameters under study, in order to assess the influence of harvest and parcel characteristics on each variety oenological potential. The results obtained using this comprehensive approach is closely related with those observed during maturation and revealed that harvest was the main factor that influenced grapes composition (53% to 68% of the total data set variance) followed by parcel characteristics, explaining ca. 15-19% of the total data set variance. The oenological potential of each variety may be different from one parcel to another, i.e., clay-sandy and clay-calcareous related-environments seem to favour Arinto and Bical white grapes composition, but for the red varieties, grapes composition was favoured by clayey and clay-calcareous soils. Besides, also higher altitude seems to favour Touriga Nacional grapes composition. Sauvignon Blanc seems to be a variety well adapted to the different parcel characteristics. In order to go forward in the valuation of these varieties, the aroma properties of 6 monovarietal wines were studied based on an aroma network-approach, linking molecular data related to volatile composition and aroma data about the key odor active molecules. This approach allowed to identify different wine aroma properties and to infer about the consumer’s sensory perception. It was found that aroma properties differ from one wine variety to another: while Arinto and Sauvignon Blanc wine exhibited higher tree fruity, sweety and flowery aromas, related essentially with ester compounds and C13 norisoprenoids, the opposite was obtained for Bical wine, corroborating the aroma sensory perceptions of the trained panel. Sauvignon Blanc also exhibited higher toasted aromas (related with thiols, mainly with 2-methyl-3-furanthiol). Touriga Nacional red wine exhibited higher tree, tropical, and berry fruits notes (sensory described as sweet fruits), toasted and flowery aromas, while these are similar for the other red wines under study. Besides Portuguese Bairrada wines, this aroma network approach is a tool that can be used to explain the aroma properties of wines worldwide. The grape and wine data generated under the present PhD thesis, in the context of Bairrada Appellation, shows the unique character of each variety, and may be used by growers and wine producers as a support for decisionmaking based on objective criteria, increasing the sustainability in this sector. For instance, it is possible to take advantage of the natural resources and produce products with different characteristics obtained from the same variety, minimizing costs during the winemaking process.

Development of chitosan packaging films with carvacrol and grape seed extract as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents

In order to produce packaging films with a broad spectrum of action on microorganisms, the effect of two antimicrobial (AM) to be included in the films, carvacrol and GSE were studied separately on different microorganisms. Carvacrol was more effective against the grampositive bacteria than against the gram-negative bacterium. GSE was not effective against yeast. Subsequently, a search for optimal combinations of carvacrol, GSE and the addition of chitosan (as a third component with film forming properties) was carried out. Response surface analysis showed several synergetic effects and three optimal AM combinations (OAMC) were obtained for each microorganism. The experimental validation confirmed that the optimal solutions found can successfully predict the response for each microorganism. The optimization of mixtures of the three components, but this time, using the same concentration for all microorganisms, was also studied to obtain an OAMC with wide spectrum of activity. The results of the response surface analysis showed several synergistic effects for all microorganisms. Three OAMC, OAMC-1, OAMC-2, OAMC-3, were found to be the optimal mixtures for all microorganisms. The radical scavenging activity (RSA) of the different agents was then compared with a standard antioxidant (AOX) BHT, at different concentrations; as also at the OAMC. The RSA increased in the following order: chitosan

Wine and grape polyphenols — a chemical perspective

Phenolic compounds constitute a diverse group of secondary metabolites which are present in both grapes and wine. The phenolic content and composition of grape processed products (wine) are greatly influenced by the technological practice to which grapes are exposed. During the handling and maturation of the grapes several chemical changes may occur with the appearance of new compounds and/or disappearance of others, and consequent modification of the characteristic ratios of the total phenolic content as well as of their qualitative and quantitative profile. The non-volatile phenolic qualitative composition of grapes and wines, the biosynthetic relationships between these compounds, and the most relevant chemical changes occurring during processing and storage will be highlighted in this review.

Le livre de la description des pays / de Gilles Le Bouvier, dit Berry... ; publié pour la première fois avec une introduction et des notes, et suivi de l'"Itinéraire brugeois" et de la "Table de Velletri" et de plusieurs autres documents géographiques, inédits ou mal connus du XVe siècle, recueillis et commentés par le Dr E.-T. Hamy,...

Collection : Recueil de voyages et de documents pour servir à l'histoire de la géographie depuis le XIIIe siècle jusqu'à la fin du XVIe siècle ; 22

Le livre de la description des pays / de Gilles Le Bouvier, dit Berry... ; publié pour la première fois avec une introduction et des notes, et suivi de l'"Itinéraire brugeois" et de la "Table de Velletri" et de plusieurs autres documents géographiques, inédits ou mal connus du XVe siècle, recueillis et commentés par le Dr E.-T. Hamy,...

Collection : Recueil de voyages et de documents pour servir à l'histoire de la géographie depuis le XIIIe siècle jusqu'à la fin du XVIe siècle ; 22

Recueil de pièces, manuscrites et imprimées, mémoires, actes royaux, comptes, suppliques, etc., concernant le Béarn, la Navarre, le pays de Soule, le Dauphiné, la Bresse, la Bourgogne, la Lorraine, le Ponthieu, la Normandie et le Berry.

Contient : Pièces relatives au Béarn, et principalement à la réunion du Béarn à la Couronne de France (f. 1), — et au pays de Soule (f. 45). — Navarre, etc. : Supplique orig. des députés des Trois États de la Basse-Navarre (f. 77) ; Pièces diverses, comptes, etc., concernant le domaine de Navarre, notamment : « Estat des sommes que le Roy veult et entend estre doresnavant paiées aux gens de son Conseil d'Estat et privé de ses maison et finances de Navarre et ancien domaine...», 1607 ; « Advis de ce qui se peult faire pour la réduction des officiers de la maison de Navarre et Béarn... » ; Baux du domaine de Navarre ; Pièces relatives aux revenus ecclésiastiques du Béarn ; « Estat de la recepte et despence du domaine de la maison de Navarre, pour l'année 1619 » ; « Mémoire du nomé Du BOURG, touchant les forests de l'antien domaine de Navarre, au resort de Thoulouze » ; Copies d'actes de Henri IV ; Mémoire orig., signé Hurault « de Maisse », concernant une adjudication de l'ancien domaine de Navarre ; Pièces relatives à Bayonne (f. 218), — à Tartas (f. 222), — à Saint-Béat (f. 224), — à Blaye (f. 226). — Dauphiné : « Extrait d'un Registre aux archifs de la Chambre des Comptes et Cour des Finances du Dauphiné, institué [intitulé] Homagia Chalançonis , 1489 et 1490 » (f. 250) ; Pièces relatives à la Bresse (f. 260). — Bourgogne : « Du duché de Bourgogne, et de ceux qui l'ont tenue et possédée... » (f. 282). — Lorraine : « Mémoire au Roy..., des choses qui ce sont passées au gouvernement et ville de Toul » [contre le sieur de Vannes], orig. signé « Vuiry » (f. 294) ; « Remonstrances qu'il fault faire au Roy, pour conserver la ville de Toul en son obéissance... » ; Copie d'un acte de Charles-Quint, 1521 ; Pièces relatives à l'évêché de Metz (f. 316), — notamment, actes orig. de Georges de Bade, évêque de Metz, 1473 (f. 318 et 351) ; « Articles proposez au nom du Roy par Mr [Louis] d'Auzance à Mr le cardinal de Lorraine, pour le suject de la ville et ecclésiastiques de Metz, avec les responses dudict cardinal..., 1565 » ; « Mémoire pour la ville de Verdun, et comme elle est venue souz l'obéissance du Roy... » ; Pièce concernant Épinal, 1463 (f. 349). — Ponthieu : Extraits relatifs à l'abbaye de Sain t-Josse-aux-Bois (f. 352) ; Prisée du comté de Boulogne, 1477 (f. 356). — Normandie : Copie d'un arrêt du Parlement de Rouen, 1643 (f. 374). — Berry : Copie d'un acte de Charles VII pour Issoudun, 1423 (f. 440)

Une incursion anglaise en Poitou en novembre 1412 : mélanges XVe et XVIe siècles : compte d'une aide de 10.000 écus accordée au duc de Berry pour résister à cette incursion / par René Lacour,...

Collection : Archives historiques du Poitou ; XLVIII

[Lettre autographe signée de C. Berard, député de Saint-Rémy de Provence, à la Duchesse de Berry, Paris, 14 décembre 1820]

Demande sa protection pour sa pièce : "Marie-Thérèse à Presbourg" interdite par la critique

Feuillet d'une demi-Bible en français ayant appartenu à Jean de Berry

A l'exception des ex-libris et annotations de Jean Flamel, le manuscrit ne contient que la fin du Psautier sur une colonne (f. 4v) : « Sire, delivre nous en l'eure de la mort. / Sire, delivre (a exponctué) nous au jour du jugement ...-.... Sire, oy m'oroison / Et mon cri a toy viengne ». « Dex a qui propre chose est d'avoir merci ...-.... que la grant misericorde de ta pitié nous absoille. Par Crist nostre Seigneur. Ainsi soit il ». « Ci fine le Psautier en françois ». « Ci doit venir aprés le livre des paraboles Salemon ».