Unveiling the exciton formation in time, energy and momentum domain in layered van der Waals semiconductors

Resolving the early-stage dynamics of exciton formation following non-resonant photoexcitation in time, energy, and momentum is quite challenging due to their inherently fast timescales and the proximity of the excitonic state to the bottom of the conduction band. In this study, by combining time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with ab initio numerical simulations, we capture the timing of the early-stage exciton dynamics in energy and momentum, starting from the photoexcited population in the conduction band, progressing through the formation of free excitons, and ultimately leading to their trapping in lattice deformations. The chosen material is bismuth tri-iodide (BiI ), a layered semiconductor with a rich landscape of excitons in the electronic structure both in bulk and in monolayer form. The obtained results, providing a full characterization of the exciton formation, elucidate the early stages of the physical phenomena underlying the operation of the ultrafast semiconductor device

M. Àngels Francés Díez & Irene Mira-Navarro (ed.), «Identitats culturals contemporànies: el cas català», Kassel, Edition Reichenberger, 2022, 195 p.

Ressenya sobre el llibre de M. Àngels Francés Díez & Irene Mira-Navarro (ed.), Identitats culturals contemporànies: el cas català, Kassel, Edition Reichenberger, 2022, 195 p., ISBN: 978-3-967280-36-4

Pricing and infrastructure fees in shaping cooperation in a model of high-speed rail and airline competition

This paper studies the effects of cooperation in a hub-and-spoke network with high-speed rail and airline competition. The distinctive elements of our analysis are the consideration of: (i) per-passenger airport and rail infrastructure fees; (ii) mixed bundling pricing by partners, and (iii) an airline duopoly in the international market. We show that partners fix the cheapest bundle price of the combined trip, that non-allied operators respond by decreasing the prices per link, and that connecting traffic increases. Per-passenger fees sig- nificantly affect the price differences following cooperation. An empirical application con- firms that it is privately profitable and that welfare gains are in the range of 0.8-2.2%; these can be higher for lower fees or lower cross-price elasticity between modes

Identification and characterization of an ABA-activated MAP kinase cascade in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major phytohormone involved in important stress-related and developmental plant processes. Recent phosphoproteomic analyses revealed a large set of ABA-triggered phosphoproteins as putative mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) targets, although the evidence for MAPKs involved in ABA signalling is still scarce. Here, we identified and reconstituted in vivo a complete ABA-activated MAPK cascade, composed of the MAP3Ks MAP3K17/18, the MAP2K MKK3 and the four C group MAPKs MPK1/2/7/14. In planta, we show that ABA activation of MPK7 is blocked in mkk3-1 and map3k17mapk3k18 plants. Coherently, both mutants exhibit hypersensitivity to ABA and altered expression of a set of ABA-dependent genes. A genetic analysis further reveals that this MAPK cascade is activated by the PYR/PYL/RCAR-SnRK2-PP2C ABA core signalling module through protein synthesis of the MAP3Ks, unveiling an atypical mechanism for MAPK activation in eukaryotes. Our work provides evidence for a role of an ABA-induced MAPK pathway in plant stress signalling

Acute macular neuroretinopathy associates with dengue virus infection

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare retinal condition characterized by paracentral scotomas and typical wedge-shaped lesions in the outer retina, often affecting young, otherwise healthy individuals. We report a case of AMN associated with dengue virus infection in a 48-year-old female doctor presenting with sudden onset of visual disturbances during a febrile illness after working away in Africa. Ophthalmologic examination and multi-modal imaging, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence(FAF), revealed characteristic outer retinal changes consistent with AMN. Dengue infection was confirmed through serologic testing, and no other systemic or ocular conditions were identified, apart from fever and myalgias.The pathophysiology of AMN in the context of dengue virus remains unclear, though it may involve ischemic damage to the deep retinal capillary plexus due to systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, or immune-mediated mechanisms. This case under scores the importance of considering dengue virus infection in the differential diagnosis of AMNand/or foveolitis, particularly in endemic regions. Early recognition and diagnosis are critical for appropriate management and follow up, though no specific treatment for AMN exists.This case adds to the growing body of literature on the ocular manifestations of viral infections, specifically dengue, and highlights the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions

Dinosaur extinctions related to the Jenkyns Event (early Toarcian, Jurassic)

The early Toarcian Jenkyns Event (~183 Ma) was characterized by a perturbation of the global carbon cycle, global warming, which at continental areas led to intensified chemical weathering, enhanced soils erosion, and intensified wildfires. Warming and acid rain affected diversity and composition of land plant assemblages, caused a loss of forests and thereby impacted on trophic webs. The Jenkyns Event, triggered by volcanic activity of the Karoo-Ferrar Large Igneous Province, changed terrestrial ecosystems, and also affected the dinosaurs. Fossil macroplant assemblages and palynological data reveal reductions in the diversity and richness of plant communities. A substantial loss of land plant biomass and a shift to forests dominated by Cheiropelidiaceae conifers occurred as a consequence of seasonally dry and warm conditions. Major changes occurred to hervivore dinosaurs, with extinction of diverse basal families of Sauropodomorpha (‘prosauropods’) as well as some basal sauropods. Ornithischian dinosaurs show patchy records; some heterodontosaurids disappeared and the scelidosaurids (Thyreophora) went extinct during the Jenkyns Event. The dominant carnivorous dinosaurs, the Coelophysoidea (Theropoda), died out during the Jenkyns Event. We interpret the Jenkyns Event as a terrestrial crisis for ecosystems, marked especially by floral changes and the extinction of some dinosaur clades, both hervivores and carnivores

La Nöthigung o necessitatio en la concepción kantiana de la libertad y la imputación

El objetivo del presente artículo consiste en recalcar la significación que adquiere dentro de la filosofía práctica kantiana el concepto, quizá no lo suficientemente analizado, de ‘Nöthigung’, ‘necessitatio’ o ‘necesitación’. Más concretamente, y dentro de los diferentes tipos de necesitación que distingue el regiomontano, el estudio que se desarrollará a continuación focalizará su atención en aquella necessitatio práctica incondicionada que es la necessitatio moralis o moralische Nöthigung, y en cómo esta reviste de una importancia crucial a la hora de comprender el pensamiento kantiano acerca de la libertad y su doctrina de la imputación. En este sentido, y atendiendo no únicamente a las obras dadas a conocer por el profesor de Königsberg, sino también a escritos recientemente publicados de sus lecciones en la universidad, primero se procederá a exponer el estado de la cuestión; esto es, cómo es posible que una persona sometida, no únicamente a leyes físicas de la naturaleza, sino también a la ‘obligación’ o ‘coacción’ de una ley moral interna, pueda hablar de sí misma como ‘libre’. Seguidamente, y teniendo en cuenta la centralidad que el concepto de ‘necesitación’ juega en este aspecto, se pasará a rastrear la historia del mismo. Y, por último, se analizará su papel en el estudio kantiano de la libertad y la imputación

El Aprendizaje Basado en el Cine (ABC) como metodología capaz de vehicular el aprendizaje en la enseñanza de la Sociología

El consumo de contenido audiovisual va en aumento en nuestra sociedad, sobre todo durante los últimos años transformando la dieta mediática de los que son ahora nuestros estudiantes. Los docentes podemos aprovechar esta mayor exposición y utilizar el cine como metodología didáctica dándole un papel central en el aula y no solo como recurso, como ya se está utilizando en las clases desde hace mucho tiempo. Una de las principales ventajas que posee esta propuesta es que el cine tiene un lenguaje propio al que los estudiantes están acostumbrados, pueden descodificarlo y les es cercano y comprensible. La enseñanza de la Sociología se puede ver especialmente beneficiada incorporando esta metodología en el aula ya que es una ciencia social con gran cantidad de conceptos abstractos que pueden dificultar el aprendizaje significativo de nuestros estudiantes. El cine permite vehicular el aprendizaje significativo porque es capaz de conectar la atención, la memoria y la emoción gracias a los procesos de identificación que se consiguen durante el visionado y que consiguen un aprendizaje experiencial gracias al cual conseguimos un aprendizaje significativo. Además, es capaz de conectar, a través de situaciones, diferentes conceptos y promoviendo un aprendizaje más holístico en esta área de conocimiento y conectado con la realidad. Esta metodología ha sido validada a través de juicio de expertos y es capaz de aumentar la motivación de los estudiantes, lo que se traduce en un aumento de la atención que se traduce en una mejora del rendimiento académico