CO adsorption on neutral iridium clusters

The adsorption of carbon monoxide on neutral iridium clusters in the size range of n = 3 to 21 atoms is investigated with infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy. For each cluster size only a single v(CO) band is present with frequencies in the range between 1962 cm-1 (n = 8) and 1985 cm-1 (n = 18) which can be attributed to an atop binding geometry. This behaviour is compared to the CO binding geometries on clusters of other group 9 and 10 transition metals as well as to that on extended surfaces. The preference of Ir for atop binding is rationalized by relativistic effects on the electronic structure of the later 5d metals

Structural and Dynamic Numerical Models of Rockslides in the Carpathians and the Alps

peer reviewedThe stability of rock slopes is often guided by the structural geology of the rocks composing the slope. In this work, we analyse the influence of structural characteristics, and of their seismic response, on large and deep-seated rock slope failure development. The study is focused on the Tamins and Fernpass rockslides in the Alps and on the Balta and Eagles Lake rockslides in the southeastern Carpathians. These case studies are compared with catastrophic rock slope failures with ascertained or very likely seismic origin in the Tien Shan Mountains. The main goal is to identify features allowing to identify seismically induced deformation modes based on the source zone rock structures. We will present examples of classical anti-dip slope and along-strike rock structures that hint at a possible/partial seismic origin, but we will also consider a series of mixed structural types, which are more difficult to be interpreted. This morpho-structural study is supported by distinct element numerical modelling results showing that seismic shaking typically induces deeper seated deformation in initially ‘stable’ rock slopes. In addition, for failures partially triggered by dynamic shaking, these studies can help identify the contribution of the seismic factor to slope movements. The identification of the partial seismic origin on the basis of the dynamic response of rock structures can be particularly interesting for case histories in less seismically active mountain regions (in comparison with the Andes, Tien Shan, Pamirs), such as in the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains

Real Wage Responsiveness to Unemployment in Spain: Asymmetries Along the Business Cycle

We estimate real wage cyclicality in the period compressed between 1987 and 2013 using a large administrative dataset of workers in Spain. Real wages are weakly procyclical in Spain and focusing on differences in different phases of the business cycle, we find that differences across expansions and recessions are significant, with an even lower real wage cyclicality in recessions. Furthermore, higher levels of unemployment do not translate into additional real wages adjustments when the economy is contracting, while lower levels of unemployment during expansions have incremental effects on wage elasticity. This general result holds after accounting for differences in tenure, type of contract and age categories. Nevertheless, wages of newly-hired workers are the most sensitive to the business cycle and exhibit the lowest asymmetric pattern between expansions and recessions. At the other end, wages of workers with more than six years of tenure can be characterized as the most protected against economic downturns. The same is true for fixed-term vs. permanent workers, as well as for young vs. older workers

Worker Flows in the European Union During the Great Recession

We measure the contribution of worker flows across employment, unemployment, and non-participation to the change in unemployment in eleven EU countries during the period 2006-2012, paying special attention to which socio-demographic groups in each of the countries were mostly affected by job creation and job destruction during the crisis. We find that age, to a larger extent than educational attainments, is the main determinant of flows from employment into unemployment, particularly in those countries where unemployment increased by most. Secondly, we highlight some institutional features of the labour market (employment protection legislation, unemployment insurance, and the incidence of active labor market policies) that help to explain the cross-country differences in flows between employment and unemployment and in their socio-demographic composition. Finally, we examine if the crisis has led to some employment reallocation across sectors, finding that, so far, there is no clear evidence in favor of cleansing effects

La mobilité tectonique et les processus géomorphologiques actuels des subcarpates de la Roumanie

Los Subcárpatos de Rumania, formados por molasas neógenas plegadas asociadadas localmente al flysch paleógeno, están afectados por movimientos tectónicos positivos, con intensidades variables, que influyen de manera evidente en los procesos geomorfológicos actuales, ligados a un clima templado-continental. El modelado de vertientes se realiza esencialmente por movimientos en masa (deslizamientos, coladas de barro) a los que se unen intensos procesos de arroyamiento. Los acontecimientos extremos (precipitaciones torrenciales, potentes temblores de tierra) desempeñan el papel principal en el desencadenamiento lento y recrudecimiento de los movimientos en masa. A partir de las investigaciones realizadas, se aprecia que los Subcárpatos se encuentran entre las regiones de Europa más intensamente afectadas por los procesos geomorfológicos actuales

La movilidad tectonica y los procesos geomorfologicos actuales de los subcarpatos de rumania

The Subcarpathians of Rumania, integrated by folded neogen molasses associated locally to the paleogenic flysch, are affected by possitive tectonic movements of variable intensity which have an obvious injluence in the present geomorphologic processes in a mild-continental climate. The shaping of the slopes is essentially caused by mass movements (landslides, mud flows) together with intense processes of overland flows. Extreme factors (torrential rainfall, earthquakes) play the most important role in the cause and intensity of mass movements. According to the research carried out we can appreciate that the Subcarpathians are among the regions more intensely affected by present geomorphologic processes.</jats:p