Phenomenology of an SU(2)×SU(2)×U(1)SU(2) \times SU(2) \times U(1) model with lepton-flavour non-universality

We investigate a gauge extension of the Standard Model in light of the observed hints of lepton universality violation in $b \to c \ell \nu$ and $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ decays at BaBar, Belle and LHCb. The model consists of an extended gauge group $\mathrm{SU(2)}_{1} \times \mathrm{SU(2)}_{2} \times \mathrm{U(1)}_Y$ which breaks spontaneously around the TeV scale to the electroweak gauge group. Fermion mixing effects with vector-like fermions give rise to potentially large new physics contributions in flavour transitions mediated by $W^{\prime}$ and $Z^{\prime}$ bosons. This model can ease tensions in $B$-physics data while satisfying stringent bounds from flavour physics, tau decays, and electroweak precision data. Possible ways to test the proposed new physics scenario with upcoming experimental measurements are discussed. Among other predictions, the lepton flavour violating ratios $R_M$, with $M = K^*, \phi$, are found to be reduced with respect to the Standard Model expectation $R_M \simeq 1$.Comment: 46 pages, 11 figures. v2: version published in JHE

Non-abelian gauge extensions for B-decay anomalies

We study the generic features of minimal gauge extensions of the Standard Model in view of recent hints of lepton-flavor non-universality in semi-leptonic $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $b \to c \ell \nu$ decays. We classify the possible models according to the symmetry-breaking pattern and the source of flavor non-universality. We find that in viable models the $\mathrm{SU(2)}_L$ factor is embedded non-trivially in the extended gauge group, and that gauge couplings should be universal, hinting to the presence of new degrees of freedom sourcing non-universality. Finally, we provide an explicit model that can explain the $B$-decay anomalies in a coherent way and confront it with the relevant phenomenological constraints.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures; discussion improved, a figure and references added; conclusions unchange

Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain.

The right of children to participate in decisions that impact their lives has been widely recognized, but it is scarcely present in the decision-making processes within the child protection system. Although research provides evidence of the benefits of such participation, we still know little about its presence in family reunification processes. This paper examines the voices of children and adolescents at the time of removal and reunification in the child protection process. The perspectives of 135 persons were taken through in-depth interviews and group discussions, namely, 30 children and adolescents, 42 biological parents, and 63 professionals in the child protection system. The results suggest that 1) the information that is provided to children and adolescents is inaccurate and incomplete at all stages of the decision-making process, 2) the degree of understanding the reasons that underlie the decision-making is minimal, 3) the main reason for removal defines how the child is involve in participation, and 4) the participation of children and adolescents in the reunification process contributes to its success and stability. The practical implications concern both the need to train professionals and the establishment of mechanisms that ensure children's participation on the continuum of the development of the case plan

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs): Advances and Challenges

The study of the electrochemical catalyst conversion of renewable electricity and carbon oxides into chemical fuels attracts a great deal of attention by different researchers. The main role of this process is in mitigating the worldwide energy crisis through a closed technological carbon cycle, where chemical fuels, such as hydrogen, are stored and reconverted to electricity via electrochemical reaction processes in fuel cells. The scientific community focuses its efforts on the development of high-performance polymeric membranes together with nanomaterials with high catalytic activity and stability in order to reduce the platinum group metal applied as a cathode to build stacks of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) to work at low and moderate temperatures. The design of new conductive membranes and nanoparticles (NPs) whose morphology directly affects their catalytic properties is of utmost importance. Nanoparticle morphologies, like cubes, octahedrons, icosahedrons, bipyramids, plates, and polyhedrons, among others, are widely studied for catalysis applications. The recent progress around the high catalytic activity has focused on the stabilizing agents and their potential impact on nanomaterial synthesis to induce changes in the morphology of NPs

Role of platelets as mediators that link inflammation and thrombosis in atherosclerosis

Platelets, crucial mediators of the acute complications of atherosclerosis that cause life-threatening ischemic events at late stages of the disease, are also key effectors of inflammation throughout plaque development through their interaction with endothelial and immune cells in the injured vessel wall. During the first steps of atherosclerosis, blood inflammatory leukocytes interact with the damaged endothelium in areas rich in platelet aggregates. In late stages of the disease, platelets secrete several inflammatory molecules, even without forming aggregates. These molecules exacerbate the inflammation and induce the transition from chronic to acute disease, featuring increased instability of the atherosclerotic lesion that results in plaque rupture and thrombosis. Moreover, platelets play an important role in vascular wall remodeling induced by chronic inflammation by controlling vascular cell differentiation and proliferation. In this review, we discuss the role of platelets as cell mediators that link inflammation and thrombosis in atherosclerotic disease and their potential in the development of new therapeutic tools to fight cardiovascular disease.Work in the author’s laboratories is supported by Centro de Estudios en Alimentos Procesados (CEAP), Conicyt-Regional, Gore Maule, R09I2001, Talca, Chile (Proyecto Basal); The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) and the European Regional Development Fund (grant SAF2010-16044); Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares [RECAVA], grant RD06/0014/0021). O.M.P. holds a Juan de la Cierva contract (MICINN). The CNIC is supported by the MICINN and the Pro-CNIC Foundation.S

Necesidades educativas para promover la salud afectiva y sexual en jóvenes en riesgo social

La educación afectiva y sexual de los y las jóvenes en situación de riesgo social es un elemento esencial para su salud. La educación en esta área requiere unos planteamientos rigurosos que se basen en las necesidades educativas y diferenciales de este colectivo en relación a la salud afectiva y sexual. El presente artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación que analiza estas necesidades. Para ello, se diseñó una investigación acción participativa de carácter cualitativa, en la cual participaron 48 profesionales y 72 jóvenes. La recogida de información se realizó mediante grupos de discusión. Los resultados constatan que el factor cultural y la historia personal y familiar son variables que tienen un carácter concluyente en los comportamientos sexuales de este colectivo. Estas variables deben considerarse, tanto en la educación formal como en la no formal, con tal de promover la salud afectiva sexual, haciendo especial hincapié en los aspectos emocionales, afectivos y sociales

Heptagon-Containing Nanographene Embedded into [10]Cycloparaphenylene

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel type of nanohoop, consisting of a cycloparaphenylene derivative incorporating a curved heptagon-containing π-extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) unit. We demonstrate that this new macrocycle behaves as a supramolecular receptor of curved π-systems such as fullerenes C60 and C70, with remarkably large binding constants (ca. 107 M−1), as estimated by fluorescence measurements. Nanosecond and femtosecond spectroscopic analysis show that these host-guest complexes are capable of quasi-instantaneous charge separation upon photoexcitation, due to the ultrafast charge transfer from the macrocycle to the complexed fullerene. These results demonstrate saddle-shaped PAHs with dibenzocycloheptatrienone motifs as structural components for new macrocycles displaying molecular receptor abilities and versatile photochemical responses with promising electron-donor properties in host-guest complexes.Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Universidad, Investigacion e Innovacion and FEDER(ERDF) "A way of making Europe" P18-FR-2877ERDF "A way of making Europe"Universidad de Granada / CBU

Assessment in kinship foster care: A new tool to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses

Placement in kinship family has existed informally throughout the times. There are many countries in which the kinship family care is the measure most used for child protection. However, it is a subject of continuous debate. One of the major issues it is the constitution of the foster care without the evaluation of the family, and often the child is placed directly to grandparents and uncles by the mere fact of being direct family. The article presents a tool to evaluate extended families in order to assure the welfare of the child. The tool was built by a cooperative research where 126 professionals from 7 regions of Spain participated. The instrument can identify the strengths and weaknesses of families on 6 domains: personal characteristics, the coverage of basic needs, the collaboration with professionals, the family structure and dynamics, the relationship between family, child and biological family and, finally the attitude towards the placement. The tool is innovative while providing elements to work more effectively and introduces the opportunity to reflect upon the skills of the kinship foster care family, the needs of support, and the families that are unfitting to take care of the child. To conclude, the instrument tries to overcome one of the principal disadvantages of kinship foster care: the lack of knowledge about the kinship family