New Insights in the Production of Simulated Moon Agglutinates: The Use of Natural Zeolite-Bearing Rocks

Two natural zeolite-bearing rocks (one containing clinoptilolite and the other chabazite, phillipsite, and analcime) were Fe-exchanged and thermally treated in a reducing atmosphere at 750 \ub0C for 2 h. Two nanocomposites, formed by the dispersion of Fe nanoparticles in a ceramic matrix, were obtained. The prepared lunar dust simulants also contain Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ and other mineral phases originally present in the starting materials. The samples were fully characterized by different techniques such as atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, followed by Rietveld analysis, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption analysis at 77 K, measurements of grain size distribution, magnetic property measurements, broad-band dielectric spectroscopy, and DC conductivity measurements. The results of this characterization showed that the obtained metal-ceramic nanocomposites exhibit a chemical and mineralogical composition and electrical and magnetic properties similar to real moon dust and, thus, appear valid moon dust simulants

New Insights in the Production of Simulated Moon Agglutinates: The Use of Natural Zeolite-Bearing Rocks

Two natural zeolite-bearing rocks (one containing clinoptilolite and the other chabazite, phillipsite, and analcime) were Fe-exchanged and thermally treated in a reducing atmosphere at 750 °C for 2 h. Two nanocomposites, formed by the dispersion of Fe nanoparticles in a ceramic matrix, were obtained. The prepared lunar dust simulants also contain Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ and other mineral phases originally present in the starting materials. The samples were fully characterized by different techniques such as atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, followed by Rietveld analysis, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption analysis at 77 K, measurements of grain size distribution, magnetic property measurements, broad-band dielectric spectroscopy, and DC conductivity measurements. The results of this characterization showed that the obtained metal-ceramic nanocomposites exhibit a chemical and mineralogical composition and electrical and magnetic properties similar to real moon dust and, thus, appear valid moon dust simulants

Reading Behavior and Compliance Among Ecuadorian University Students: A National Study

Un estudio sobre el comportamiento de lectura y el cumplimiento de lectura entre 2.600 estudiantes en cinco universidades en Ecuador encontró que su comportamiento de lectura y cumplimiento de lectura fueron mejores que entre los estudiantes en los Estados Unidos, a pesar de los desafíos que existen en la educación superior ecuatoriana. Se incluyen sugerencias para futuras investigaciones, en particular con respecto a mejorar las habilidades de gestión del tiempo de los estudiantes como una forma de mejorar su cumplimiento de lectura. © El autor (es) 2019.A study into reading behavior and reading compliance among 2,600 students in five universities in Ecuador found that their reading behavior and reading compliance were better than among students in the United States, despite the challenges that exist in Ecuadorian higher education. Suggestions for future research, in particular with regard to improving students’ time management skills as a way to enhance their reading compliance, are included. © The Author(s) 2019