IR characterization of Ln2−xSrxCoO4 (x≥1; Ln=La, Nd) oxides

[Abstract] We have recorded the FTIR spectra of powder samples of Ln2−xSrxCoO4 (Ln=La, Nd) at room temperature. We have identified the infrared active modes (3A2u+4Eu), and analyzed how they change as a function of Ln and the Sr doping. We correlate the obtained results with structural data obtained from powder X-ray diffraction studies and with the electronic properties displayed by these samples

Sarcomas primarios de hueso: estudio por citometría estática mediante análisis digital de imagen

Se presenta un estudio morfométrico y densitométrico mediante análisis digital de imagen de una serie de 50 tumores óseos malignos (32 osteosarcomas, 12 condrosarcomas y 6 histiocitomas fibrosos malignos de hueso), con el fin de evaluar la utilidad de la técnica para establecer el grado y el pronóstico de estas neoplasias. Las variables morfométricas y la disposición de la cromatina guardan una estrecha relación con el grado histológico (Spearman; p < 0,05) y muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tumores considerados de alto y bajo grado en base a su presentación y evolución clínica. La ploidía estimada por densitometría óptica se comporta como un factor pronóstico independiente en el análisis multivariante de la serie de tumores de alto grado (COX; p < 0,001). La citometría estática, aunque más lenta e imprecisa que la citometría de flujo en la determinación de los picos de ploidía, permite analizar el modelo de cromatina y contribuye objetivamente al establecimiento del grado biológico de los tumores óseos.A densitometry and morphometric assessment by static image cytometry of 50 malignant bone tumors (32 osteosarcomas, 12 chondrosarcomas, and 6 malignant fibrous histiocytomas of bone) was performed in order to assess the validity of the technic in the pathobiological and prognostic evaluation of these neoplasms. A strong correlation between the morphometric features, cromatine distribution and histologic grade was found (Spearman; p < 0.05). These parameters are also statistically different for hight and low grade tumors in clinical staging. The stimation of DNA ploidy by optic densitometry is a significant prognostic factor in the multivariant analysis for the high grade tumors (COX; p < 0.001). Although Flow cytometry is a better procedure to evaluate DNA ploidy peaks, our study reveals static image cytometry as a useful technic for determine the cromatine model and objective assessment of the biological grade of bone neoplasms

Multiferroic behavior in the new double-perovskite Lu2_2MnCoO6_6

We present a new member of the multiferroic oxides, Lu$_2$MnCoO$_6$, which we have investigated using X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, specific heat, magnetization, electric polarization, and dielectric constant measurements. This material possesses an electric polarization strongly coupled to a net magnetization below 35 K, despite the antiferromagnetic ordering of the $S = 3/2$ Mn$^{4+}$ and Co$^{2+}$ spins in an $\uparrow \uparrow \downarrow \downarrow$ configuration along the c-direction. We discuss the magnetic order in terms of a condensation of domain boundaries between $\uparrow \uparrow$ and $\downarrow \downarrow$ ferromagnetic domains, with each domain boundary producing a net electric polarization due to spatial inversion symmetry breaking. In an applied magnetic field the domain boundaries slide, controlling the size of the net magnetization, electric polarization, and magnetoelectric coupling

Dimensionality-driven insulator–metal transition in A-site excess non-stoichiometric perovskites

Coaxing correlated materials to the proximity of the insulator–metal transition region, where electronic wavefunctions transform from localized to itinerant, is currently the subject of intensive research because of the hopes it raises for technological applications and also for its fundamental scientific significance. In general, this tuning is achieved by either chemical doping to introduce charge carriers, or external stimuli to lower the ratio of Coulomb repulsion to bandwidth. In this study, we combine experiment and theory to show that the transition from well-localized insulating states to metallicity in a Ruddlesden-Popper series, La0.5Srn+1−0.5TinO3n+1, is driven by intercalating an intrinsically insulating SrTiO3 unit, in structural terms, by dimensionality n. This unconventional strategy, which can be understood upon a complex interplay between electron–phonon coupling and electron correlations, opens up a new avenue to obtain metallicity or even superconductivity in oxide superlattices that are normally expected to be insulators

Thermal niche evolution and geographical range expansion in a species complex of western Mediterranean diving beetles

[Background] Species thermal requirements are one of the principal determinants of their ecology and biogeography, although our understanding of the interplay between these factors is limited by the paucity of integrative empirical studies. Here we use empirically collected thermal tolerance data in combination with molecular phylogenetics/phylogeography and ecological niche modelling to study the evolution of a clade of three western Mediterranean diving beetles, the Agabus brunneus complex.[Results] The preferred mitochondrial DNA topology recovered A. ramblae (North Africa, east Iberia and Balearic islands) as paraphyletic, with A. brunneus (widespread in the southwestern Mediterranean) and A. rufulus (Corsica and Sardinia) nested within it, with an estimated origin between 0.60-0.25 Ma. All three species were, however, recovered as monophyletic using nuclear DNA markers. A Bayesian skyline plot suggested demographic expansion in the clade at the onset of the last glacial cycle. The species thermal tolerances differ significantly, with A. brunneus able to tolerate lower temperatures than the other taxa. The climatic niche of the three species also differs, with A. ramblae occupying more arid and seasonal areas, with a higher minimum temperature in the coldest month. The estimated potential distribution for both A. brunneus and A. ramblae was most restricted in the last interglacial, becoming increasingly wider through the last glacial and the Holocene.[Conclusions] The A. brunneus complex diversified in the late Pleistocene, most likely in south Iberia after colonization from Morocco. Insular forms did not differentiate substantially in morphology or ecology, but A. brunneus evolved a wider tolerance to cold, which appeared to have facilitated its geographic expansion. Both A. brunneus and A. ramblae expanded their ranges during the last glacial, although they have not occupied areas beyond their LGM potential distribution except for isolated populations of A. brunneus in France and England. On the islands and possibly Tunisia secondary contact between A. brunneus and A. ramblae or A. rufulus has resulted in introgression. Our work highlights the complex dynamics of speciation and range expansions within southern areas during the last glacial cycle, and points to the often neglected role of North Africa as a source of European biodiversity.This work was supported by an FPI grant to AH-G and projects CGL2007-61665 and CGL2010-15755 from the Spanish government to IR. We acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).Peer reviewe

The stellar occultation by (319) Leona on 2023 September 13 in preparation for the occultation of Betelgeuse

peer reviewedOn 2023 December 12, the star α Orionis will be occulted by asteroid (319) Leona. This represents an extraordinary and unique opportunity to analyse the brightness distribution of Betelgeuse's photosphere with extreme angular resolution by studying light curves from different points on Earth and at different wavelengths. Here we present observations of another occultation by asteroid Leona, on 2023 September 13, whose goal was to determine Leona's projected shape and size in preparation for the December 12th event and its interpretation. The occultation campaign was highly successful with 25 positive detections from 17 different sites and a near miss. The effective diameter in projected area derived from the positive detections was 66 ± 2 km using an elliptical fit to the instantaneous limb. The body is highly elongated, with dimensions of 79.6 ± 2.2 km × 54.8 ± 1.3 km in its long and short axis, respectively, at occultation time. This result, in combination with dense time series photometry of Leona that we recently obtained, together with archival sparse photometry, allowed us to predict the angular size of the asteroid for the Betelgeuse event and to simulate the expected brightness change. Also, an accurate position coming from the occultation is provided, to improve the orbit of Leona

Actas de las V Jornadas ScienCity 2022. Fomento de la Cultura Científica, Tecnológica y de Innovación en Ciudades Inteligentes

ScienCity es una actividad que viene siendo continuada desde 2018 con el objetivo de dar a conocer los conocimientos y tecnologías emergentes siendo investigados en las universidades, informar de experiencias, servicios e iniciativas puestas ya en marcha por instituciones y empresas, llegar hasta decisores políticos que podrían crear sinergias, incentivar la creación de ideas y posibilidades de desarrollo conjuntas, implicar y provocar la participación ciudadana, así como gestar una red internacional multidisciplinar de investigadores que garantice la continuación de futuras ediciones. En 2022 se recibieron un total de 48 trabajos repartidos en 25 ponencias y 24 pósteres pertenecientes a 98 autores de 14 instituciones distintas de España, Portugal, Polonia y Países Bajos.Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología-Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Consejería de la Presidencia, Administración Pública e Interior de la Junta de Andalucía; Estrategia de Política de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Huelva; Cátedra de Innovación Social de Aguas de Huelva; Cátedra de la Provincia; Grupo de investigación TEP-192 de Control y Robótica; Centro de Investigación en Tecnología, Energía y Sostenibilidad (CITES

Validacion de sistemas de soporte a la decisión para el control integrado de la avena loca (Avena sterilis spp ludoviciana) y vallico (Lolium rigidum L.) en cereales

6 pÁGINAS[EN] Decision Support Systems (DSS) can be of great help in agriculture by facilitating technology transfer. In this context, two DSS have been developed as support systems for winter wild oat (Avena sterilis spp. ludoviciana) and ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) control in cereals. Both systems integrate a bioeoconomic model with a data base. The DSS output is a table of recommendations, sorted by economic criteria. Both DSS systems have been developed in two versions: one is a PC version that operates under Windows 98 and XP, requires 16 Mb RAM and 40 Mb of hard disk, and the second is a web-based system. Both DSS are currently being validated under field conditions. Preliminary results have shown good behaviour of both systems, especially in the reduction of the amounts of herbicide applied. [ES] Los Sistemas de Soporte a la DecisiOn (SSD) pueden ser de gran utilidad en la agricultura, propiciando la transferencia de tecnologia. Dentro de este contexto han sido desarrollados dos SSD como sistemas de ayuda para el control integrado de la avena loca (Avena sterilis spp. ludoviciana) y el vallico (Lolium rigidum) en cereales. Ambos sistemas estan integrados por un modelo bioeconOmico, junto con una base de datos, que contiene medidas de control. Los sistemas producen una tabla de recomendaciones, ordenada en base a criterios econOmicos. Ambos sistemas han sido desarrollados en dos versiones: una para PC que trabajan bajo entorno Windows 98 y XP, requiere 16 Mb de memoria RAM y 40 Mb de espacio en el disco duro, y otra para su use en Internet. Ambos SSD estan actualmente siguiendo un proceso de validaciOn en condiciones de campo, siendo los primeros resultados muy positivos, especialmente en relaciOn a la reducciOn de la cantidades de herbicidas aplicadas.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia de España.Plan Nacional AGL2002-3801.Peer reviewe

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 and Analysis of the Effect of the Disease on the Reproductive Outcome of the Affected Female Patients

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common adult muscular dystrophy and presents an autosomal dominant inheritance. A reproductive option for the families affected is preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). One limitation of this option is the nonoptimal response to ovarian stimulation of the women with DM1, although controversial results exist regarding this subject. In this study, we have analyzed the results of the PGD program applied to DM1 at our institution. A total of 35 couples have been included in our program since 2010, and 59 cycles have been performed. The percentage of transfers per cycle was 64.4% and the live birth rate per cycle was 18.6%. Interestingly, statistically significant differences were observed for the clinical results in the group of couples with an affected female versus the group with an affected male or versus a group of couples with different referral reasons. Specifically, both the percentage of mature oocytes out of the total oocytes retrieved and the percentage of fertilization were considerably lower in the group of DM1 females. Our findings would suggest the possibility of achieving less favourable PGD outcomes in women with DM1 in comparison with other pathologies, although the underlying mechanism remains unknown.This work was supported by the Project PI-105-2011, funded by “Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud,” within the Regional Ministry of Health of the Autonomous Government of Andalucia

Near room temperature dielectric transition in the perovskite formate framework [(CH(3))(2)NH(2)][Mg(HCOO)(3)].

We report that the hybrid organic-inorganic compound [(CH(3))(2)NH(2)][Mg(HCOO)(3)] shows a marked dielectric transition around T(t) ∼ 270 K, associated to a structural phase transition from SG R3[combining macron]c (centrosymmetric) to Cc (non-centrosymmetric). This is the highest T(t) reported so far for a perovskite-like formate that is thus a promising candidate to display electric order very close to room temperature