Oxygen vacancies in strained SrTiO3_{3} thin films: formation enthalpy and manipulation

We report the enthalpy of oxygen vacancy formation in thin films of electron-doped SrTiO$_{3}$, under different degrees of epitaxial stress. We demonstrate that both compressive and tensile strain decrease this energy at a very similar rate, and promote the formation of stable doubly ionized oxygen vacancies. Moreover, we also show that unintentional cationic vacancies introduced under typical growth conditions, produce a characteristic rotation pattern of TiO$_6$ octahedra. The local concentration of oxygen vacancies can be modulated by an electric field with an AFM tip, changing not only the local electrical potential, but also producing a non-volatile mechanical response whose sign (up/down) can be reversed by the electric field.Comment: Physical Review B (accepted for publication

Aperture-free star formation rate of SDSS star-forming galaxies

Large area surveys with a high number of galaxies observed have undoubtedly marked a milestone in the understanding of several properties of galaxies, such as star-formation history, morphology, and metallicity. However, in many cases, these surveys provide fluxes from fixed small apertures (e.g. fibre), which cover a scant fraction of the galaxy, compelling us to use aperture corrections to study the global properties of galaxies. In this work, we derive the current total star formation rate (SFR) of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) star-forming galaxies, using an empirically based aperture correction of the measured $\rm H\alpha$ flux for the first time, thus minimising the uncertainties associated with reduced apertures. All the $\rm H\alpha$ fluxes have been extinction-corrected using the $\rm H\alpha/H\beta$ ratio free from aperture effects. The total SFR for $\sim$210,000 SDSS star-forming galaxies has been derived applying pure empirical $\rm H\alpha$ and $\rm H\alpha/H\beta$ aperture corrections based on the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey. We find that, on average, the aperture-corrected SFR is $\sim$0.65dex higher than the SDSS fibre-based SFR. The relation between the SFR and stellar mass for SDSS star-forming galaxies (SFR--$\rm M_\star$) has been obtained, together with its dependence on extinction and $\rm H\alpha$ equivalent width. We compare our results with those obtained in previous works and examine the behaviour of the derived SFR in six redshift bins, over the redshift range $\rm 0.005 \leq z\leq 0.22$. The SFR--$\rm M_\star$ sequence derived here is in agreement with selected observational studies based on integral field spectroscopy of individual galaxies as well as with the predictions of recent theoretical models of disc galaxies

The extended HeII4686-emitting region in IZw18 unveiled: clues for peculiar ionizing sources

New integral field spectroscopy has been obtained for IZw18, the nearby lowest-metallicity galaxy considered our best local analog of systems forming at high-z. Here we report the spatially resolved spectral map of the nebular HeII4686 emission in IZw18, from which we derived for the first time its total HeII-ionizing flux. Nebular HeII emission implies the existence of a hard radiation field. HeII-emitters are observed to be more frequent among high-z galaxies than for local objects. So investigating the HeII-ionizing source(s) in IZw18 may reveal the ionization processes at high-z. HeII emission in star-forming galaxies, has been suggested to be mainly associated with Wolf-Rayet stars (WRs), but WRs cannot satisfactorily explain the HeII-ionization at all times, in particular at lowest metallicities. Shocks from supernova remnants, or X-ray binaries, have been proposed as additional potential sources of HeII-ionizing photons. Our data indicate that conventional HeII-ionizing sources (WRs, shocks, X-ray binaries) are not sufficient to explain the observed nebular HeII4686 emission in IZw18. We find that the HeII-ionizing radiation expected from models for either low-metallicity super-massive O stars or rotating metal-free stars could account for the HeII-ionization budget measured, while only the latter models could explain the highest values of HeII4686/Hbeta observed. The presence of such peculiar stars in IZw18 is suggestive and further investigation in this regard is needed. This letter highlights that some of the clues of the early Universe can be found here in our cosmic backyard.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

DC-DC switching converter based power distribution vs serial power distribution: EMC strategies

This paper presents a detailed and comparative analysis from the electromagnetic compatibility point of view of the proposed power distributions for the SLHC tracker up-grade. The main idea is to identify and quantify the noise sources, noise distribution at the system level and the sensitive areas in the front-end electronics corresponding to both proposed topologies: The DC-DC converter based power distribution and the serial power distribution. These studies will be used to define critical points on both systems to be studied and prototyped to ensure the correct integration of the system taking critically into account the electromagnetic compatibility. This analysis at the system level is crucial to ensure the final performance of the detector using non conventional power distributions, avoiding interference problems and excessive losses that can lead to catastrophic failures or expensive and un-practical solutions

S wave velocity structure below central Mexico using high-resolution surface wave tomography

Shear wave velocity of the crust below central Mexico is estimated using surface wave dispersion measurements from regional earthquakes recorded on a dense, 500 km long linear seismic network. Vertical components of regional records from 90 well-located earthquakes were used to compute Rayleigh-wave group-velocity dispersion curves. A tomographic inversion, with high resolution in a zone close to the array, obtained for periods between 5 and 50 s reveals significant differences relative to a reference model, especially at larger periods (>30 s). A 2-D S wave velocity model is obtained from the inversion of local dispersion curves that were reconstructed from the tomographic solutions. The results show large differences, especially in the lower crust, among back-arc, volcanic arc, and fore-arc regions; they also show a well-resolved low-velocity zone just below the active part of the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) suggesting the presence of a mantle wedge. Low densities in the back arc, inferred from the low shear wave velocities, can provide isostatic support for the TMVB

Physical activity trends in spanish adolescents

Este estudio se propone conocer la evolución de la práctica de actividad física moderada-vigorosa y examinar si la tendencia se mantiene en función de factores sociodemográficos, como el sexo y la edad, así como de factores socioeconómicos y su influencia según la comunidad autónoma. La muestra está compuesta de adolescentes españoles de 11 a 18 años de las ediciones 2002 y 2006 del estudio Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). Los principales resultados muestran que, a pesar de un cierto aumento en el nivel de actividad física en los cuatro años que distan entre ambas ediciones (especialmente en los adolescentes más pequeños), estos niveles se encuentran todavía lejos de las recomendaciones. Asimismo, los datos señalan como necesidades más urgentes promover un estilo de vida activo en los adolescentes de 13 años en adelante (especialmente en las chicas) y en los adolescentes de niveles socioeconómicos más bajos de determinadas comunidades autónomasThis study tries to find out the tendency of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and to assess whether the trends are maintained with regard to socio-demographic factors such as sex and age, and also socio-economic factors and how they vary depending on the region. The sample comprises Spanish adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years, from the 2002 and 2006 surveys of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. The main results reveal that, despite a certain increase in physical activity level in the four years span between both surveys (particularly in younger adolescents), these levels are still a long way from the recommendations. Likewise, data highlight, as immediate needs, the promotion of an active lifestyle among adolescents from 13 years onwards (particularly among the girls) and also among adolescents of lower socio-economic status in some regionsEsta investigación ha sido realizada gracias a los sucesivos convenios de colaboración firmados entre el Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo y la Universidad de Sevilla para la ejecución del estudio HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) en Españ