Search

In this work high purity and nanometer character titanium carbonitride TiCxN1-x powders were obtained by mechanically induced self sustaining reaction (MSR) in a high-energy planetary ball mill, from a mixture of titanium with graphite or carbon nanofiber (CNFs) in a nitrogen atmosphere. A promising method for developing these materials is the coupling of the MSR with SPS sintering technique. The product is sintered at 1400 ºC and 1700 ºC, obtaining a completely dense monolithic ceramic ( > 99% t.d). In this work, the influence of SPS treatment and carbon precursor on material microstructures was studied and the main mechanical properties of the end material were evaluated.En el presente trabajo se han obtenido carbonitruros de titanio TiCxN1-x de alta pureza y con carácter nanométrico, por molienda reactiva (MSR) de alta energía en un molino planetario, a partir de la mezcla de titanio con grafito o nanofibras de carbono (CNFs) en una atmósfera de nitrógeno. Una metodología prometedora para el desarrollo de estos materiales consiste en el acoplamiento de la técnica MSR con el sinterizado por SPS. El producto obtenido se ha sinterizado a 1400 ºC y 1700 ºC, obteniéndose una cerámica monolítica totalmente densa ( > 99% d.t). En este trabajo se analizan las distintas microestructuras obtenidas en función del precursor de carbono y el tratamiento de SPS, evaluando las principales propiedades mecánicas de los materiales resultantes.

In a previous study, our group detected the cholecystokinin (CCK) protein in the porcine oviduct. This fact, together with the involvement of CCK in the regulation of sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation by the modulation of HCO3− uptake (in mice and humans) suggests a role for CCK during sperm capacitation. Therefore, on the one hand, the expression of CCK receptors (CCK1R and CCK2R) on boar testes has been investigated and probed; on the other hand, boar spermatozoa (from seminal doses of 1‐day and 5‐day storage) were exposed to different concentrations of CCK (0‐control, 25 or 50 μM) in a medium supporting capacitation supplemented with 0, 5 or 25 mmol/L of HCO3− for 1 h at 38.5°C. Sperm motion (total and progressive motility), kinetic parameters, viability, acrosome status, and mitochondrial activity were determined. No differences between groups (0, 25 or 50 μM of CCK) were observed when HCO3− was absent in the media (p >.05). However, the results showed that when the media was supplemented with 5 mmol/L HCO3− in 1‐day seminal dose storage, the linearity index (LIN, %), straightness index (STR, %) and oscillation index (WOB, %) (sperm kinetics parameters) increased in the presence of CCK regardless the concentration (p <.05). Nevertheless, CCK in sperm from 5‐day storage only increased the WOB parameter in comparison to the control (p <.05). Furthermore, the average amplitude of the lateral displacement of the sperm head (ALH, μm) and curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm/s) decreased when CCK was present, depending on its concentration and sperm aging (1‐day vs. 5‐days) (p <.05). In the case of the media supporting capacitation supplemented with 25 mmol/L HCO3−, any differences were observed except for sperm viability in the 5‐day seminal doses, which increased in the 50 μM‐CCK group compared to the control (p <.05). In conclusion, these data suggest an implication of CCK protein during sperm capacitation under low bicarbonate concentration increasing the sperm linear trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coexistence of shortening and extensional tectonic regimes is a common feature in orogenic belts. The westernmost end of the Western Mediterranean is an area undergoing shortening related to the 5 mm/yr NNW‒SSE convergence of the Nubia and Eurasia Plates. In this region, the Central Betic Cordillera shows a regional ENE‒WSW extension. Here, we present GNSS‐derived geodetic data along a 170 km‐long transect orthogonal to the main active normal faults of the Central Betic Cordillera. Our data indicate that the total extension rate along the Central Betic Cordillera is 2.0 ± 0.3 mm/yr. Extension is accommodated in the eastern (0.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr in the Guadix‐Baza Basin) and western (1.3 ± 0.3 mm/yr in the Granada Basin) parts of the Central Betic Cordillera, while no extension is recorded in the central part of the study area. Moreover, our data permit us to quantify, for the first time, short‐term fault slip rates of the Granada Fault System, which is one of the main seismogenic sources of the Iberian Peninsula. We deduce a fault slip rate of ∼1.3 ± 0.3 mm/yr for the whole Granada Basin, with 0.9 ± 0.3 mm/yr being accommodated in the Granada Fault System and 0.4 ± 0.3 mm/yr being accommodated in the southwestern sector of the Granada Basin, where no active faults have been previously described at the surface. The heterogeneous extension in the Central Betic Cordillera could be accommodated by shallow high‐angle normal faults that merge with a detachment at depth. Part of the active extension could be derived from gravitational instability because of underlying over‐thickened crust. Plain Language Summary: We present here high‐precision GPS data obtained in S Spain. In this area tectonic deformation of the Earth crust is related to the convergence between Nubia (Africa) and Eurasia Plates. Under this general convergence setting, our study area is undergoing extensional deformation. GPS data permit us to quantify and characterize this extension. The total extension in our study area is 2.0 ± 0.3 mm/yr. But this extension is heterogeneous, as it concentrates in two areas to the east and to the west, separated by a zone with no extension. Moreover, our data permit to quantify, for the first time, short‐term fault slip rates of the Granada Fault System (0.9 ± 0.3 mm/yr). This parameter is essential to characterize the seismic hazard of this structure, which is one of the main seismogenic sources of the Iberian Peninsula. We also discuss the subsurface geometry of the faults accommodating this heterogeneous extension and the crustal mechanism responsible for that. Key Points: We quantify active extension within a collisional orogen (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain)Extension in the Central Betic Cordillera is heterogeneousWe quantify, for the first time, short‐term slip rate of the Granada Fault System, one of the main seismogenic sources of Spain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten has unique physical and chemical properties that make it ideal for high-temperature applications. At room temperature, it is being considered for medical applications due to its protection by an oxide/hydroxide film. However, breakdown of the oxide film and tungsten dissolution can have adverse effects on human health. This study investigates the corrosion of tungsten with and without dispersed oxides of rare-earth elements (ThO2, CeO2, and La2O3) in a 3 wt-% NaCl solution using electrochemical techniques. The results suggest that tungsten dissolution occurs after the formation of an oxide film, likely WO3, on the surface of tungsten and dispersed oxide tungsten. La2O3 and CeO2 may decrease the corrosion rate of tungsten, while WThO2/tungsten has similar corrosion rates to tungsten. The study concludes that CeO2 or La2O3 could replace ThO2 in tungsten due to the radioactive nature of Th. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here study the multiband properties of a kiloparsec-size superbubble in the late-type spiral galaxy NGC 628. The superbubble is the largest of many holes seen in the early release images using James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)/MIRI filters that trace the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions. The superbubble is located in the interarm region ∼3 kpc from the Galactic Centre in the south-east direction. The shell surrounding the superbubble is detected in H  i , CO, and H α with an expansion velocity of 12 km s−1 and contains as much as 2 × 107 M⊙ of mass in gas that is mostly in molecular form. We find a clear excess of blue, bright stars inside the bubble as compared to the surrounding disc on the Hubble Space Telescope /Advanced Camera for Surveys images. These excess blue, bright stars are part of a stellar population of 105 M⊙ mass that is formed over the last 50 Myr in different star formation episodes, as determined from an analysis of colour–magnitude diagrams using a Bayesian technique. The mechanical power injected by the massive stars of these populations is sufficient to provide the energy necessary for the expansion of the shell gas. Slow and steady, rather than violent, injection of energy is probably the reason for the maintenance of the shell structure over the kiloparsec scale. The expanding shell is currently the site for triggered star formation as inferred from the JWST 21 µm (F2100W filter) and the H α images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se analizan las acciones llevadas a cabo en España para abordar el bullying (maltrato entre iguales) desde diferentes ámbitos competenciales en aspectos de normativización, formación, divulgación, sensibilización, prevención e intervención. Igualmente se ponen de relieve las líneas de actuación preferentes en prevención e intervención en la comunidad educativa incidiendo en el compromiso y la coordinación entre el profesorado y las familias haciendo protagonista al alumnado como parte de la solución en la erradicación del bullying. El texto reflexiona sobre las claves de la educación moral en relación con los componentes que identifican el maltrato entre iguales (bullying), su abordaje escolar y las estrategias educativas necesarias para llevar a cabo el trabajo en los planos cognitivo, emocional y conductual con el alumnado por parte del profesorado y en colaboración y coordinación con las familias.

En el presente artículo se formulan nueve hipótesis que refieren a la prueba de los hechos en el proceso penal, las cuales son analizadas por nueve jueces de Tribunal de Juicio Oral y de Garantía. Siete de ellas pretenden describir distintas prácticas que se darían en los tribunales de justicia y las dos restantes refieren a cómo debieran actuar los jueces en ciertos casos difíciles. Las temáticas abordadas son agrupadas en las siguientes categorías: a) alcances del compromiso que tendrían los jueces de operar con historias verdaderas como soportes de sus decisiones; b) dificultades que surgen como consecuencia de la debilidad epistémica de la prueba disponible en los juicios y de los posibles sesgos en su interpretación; c) exigencias asociadas a la valoración de la prueba conforme a la sana crítica, y d) significado que debiera ser atribuido al estándar de prueba del más allá de toda duda razonable. De esta manera, se lleva a cabo un diálogo entre el sistema de creencias propio de los jueces y del que resulta frecuente entre los juristas.This article formulates nine hypotheses concerning the proof of facts in criminal proceedings, which are analysed by nine judges of Chilean criminal Courts (Tribunal de Juicio Oral y de Garantía). Seven hypotheses aimed at describing different practices that take place in the courts and two of them concern how judges should act in certain hard cases. The matters are grouped in the following categories: a) scopes of the compromise that judges should have in order to opérate with true stories as support oftheir decisions; b) difficulties that arise as consequence of the epistemic weakness of the evidence available in triáis and the possible slants in their interpretation; c) requirements of the evaluation of the proof according to the sana crítica; and d) meaning that should have the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt. In this way a dialogue between the system ofbeliefs of judges and of jurists takes place.

Since the beginning of the 21st Century, several initiatives have tried to bridging the gap between the proclamation of the principle of equality and non-discrimination and the situation of exclusion faced by older persons. One of the most strongly demanded measures is the approval of an International Convention in the universal system. Based on the reflection on the evolution and the current state of international law, the author defends that, although there are sufficient arguments to justify that older persons are holders of human rights from a legal point of view, a specific convention would contribute to make visible the violations that affect them and improve the response of the States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]