New Isomers in the Full Seniority Scheme of Neutron-Rich Lead Isotopes: The Role of Effective Three-Body Forces

The neutron-rich lead isotopes, up to Pb-216, have been studied for the first time, exploiting the fragmentation of a primary uranium beam at the FRS-RISING setup at GSI. The observed isomeric states exhibit electromagnetic transition strengths which deviate from state-of-the-art shell-model calculations. It is shown that their complete description demands the introduction of effective three-body interactions and two-body transition operators in the conventional neutron valence space beyond Pb-208.INFN, ItalyINFN, ItalyMICINN, Spain [AIC10-D-000568]MICINN, SpainGeneralitat Valenciana, SpainGeneralitat Valenciana, Spain [FPA2008-06419, PROMETEO/2010/101]UK STFCUK STFCAWE plcAWE plcDFGDFG [EXC 153

Presidentes y características de la democracia en América Latina

El objetivo de este trabajo es buscar relaciones entre las características de la democracia de un país y los rasgos de su clase política. Para ello, se vinculan índices que miden distintos atributos de los sistemas políticos democráticos con el perfil político y social de los individuos que han ejercido la presidencia. El estudio se aplica a los presidentes latinoamericanos en el período comprendido entre 1978 y 2015. A partir de una primera observación de los datos, el análisis se centra en seis países: los tres que presentan mejores resultados y los tres que cuentan con peores puntajes en un agregado de indicadores que evalúan los sistemas democráticos. A medida que se incrementa la calidad de los sistemas políticos existe una tendencia a que también lo haga la calidad de sus políticos o, al menos, disminuye la probabilidad de que accedan líderes con menores niveles de formación y profesionalización política

Mixed transition-metal oxides : design, synthesis, and energy-related applications

A promising family of mixed transition-metal oxides (MTMOs) (designated as AxB3-xO4; A, B=Co, Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, etc.) with stoichiometric or even non-stoichiometric compositions, typically in a spinel structure, has recently attracted increasing research interest worldwide. Benefiting from their remarkable electrochemical properties, these MTMOs will play significant roles for low-cost and environmentally friendly energy storage/conversion technologies. In this Review, we summarize recent research advances in the rational design and efficient synthesis of MTMOs with controlled shapes, sizes, compositions, and micro-/nanostructures, along with their applications as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors, and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in metal–air batteries and fuel cells. Some future trends and prospects to further develop advanced MTMOs for next-generation electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems are also presented