Field-induced magnetic anisotropy in La0.7Sr0.3CoO3

Magnetic anisotropy has been measured for the ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 perovskite from an analysis of the high-field part of the magnetization vs. field curves, i.e., the magnetic saturation regime. These measurements give a magnetic anistropy one order of magnitude higher than that of reference manganites. Surprisingly, the values of the magnetic anisotropy calculated in this way do not coincide with those estimated from measurements of coercive fields which are one order of magnitude smaller. It is proposed that the reason of this anomalous behaviour is a transition of the trivalent Co ions under the external magnetic field from a low-spin to an intermediate-spin state. Such a transition converts the Co3+ ions into Jahn-Teller ions having an only partially quenched orbital angular momentum, which enhances the intra-atomic spin-orbit coupling and magnetic anisotropy.Comment: Accepted of publication in Europhysics Letters, 11 pages, 5 figure

Simulated solar photo-assisted decomposition of peroxymonosulfate. Radiation filtering and operational variables influence on the oxidation of aqueous bezafibrate

This work investigates the potential of the combination of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and simulated solar radiation (λ > 300 nm) to remove bezafibrate from aqueous solution. Different solar light filters indicate a higher removal efficiency as the wavelength range used moves to the more energetic region of the solar spectrum. The system PMS/Daylight (300–800 nm) eliminates bezafibrate (1 mg L−1) in less than 30 min under the best conditions used in this study (CPMS = 4·10−4 M) with no pH control (acidic pH). The efficiency of the process significantly improves under alkaline conditions (pH = 10), likely due to a higher PMS photolysis rate. Experiments conducted at different initial concentration of PMS and bezafibrate suggest first order regarding PMS and different from 1 in the case of bezafibrate. Intermediates generated at the beginning of the process have been tentatively identified to propose a hypothetical reaction pathway and to estimate their toxicity

Positivity in the presence of initial system-environment correlation

The constraints imposed by the initial system-environment correlation can lead to nonpositive Dynamical maps. We find the conditions for positivity and complete positivity of such dynamical maps by using the concept of an assignment map. Any initial system-environment correlations make the assignment map nonpositive, while the positivity of the dynamical map depends on the interplay between the assignment map and the system-environment coupling. We show how this interplay can reveal or hide the nonpositivity of the assignment map. We discuss the role of this interplay in Markovian models.Comment: close to the published version. 5 pages, 1 figur

Zn-Al layered double hydroxides as efficient photocatalysts for NOx abatement

In this study,we report that layered double hydroxides (LDH) exhibited high photocatalytic activitiesin degrading NOx gases for the first time. ZnAl-CO3LDHs with a 1.5 to 3.0 Zn/Al ratio were prepared by a coprecipitation method both with and without hydrothermal treatment.Syntheses were carried out with high and low metal concentrations, the latter being the most favorablein obtaining pure LDHs in the whole Zn/Al ratio range. The samples were characterized by different techniques suchas PXRD, FT-IR, ICP mass, TGA, SBET, SEM and Diffuse reflectance (DR). The LDH particlesgrew as well-defined hexagonal nanolayers, whosesize and crystallization dependedon the synthetic procedure and the Zn/Al ratio. Those samples with lower crystallinity exhibit the highest specific surface area values (> 50 m2·g-1). The ZnAl-CO3LDHs were UV light responsive with band–gap valuescloseto 3.5 eV. The LDH photocatalysts show a high performance towards the photochemical oxidation process of NO gas, withefficiencies of around 55 %. Remarkably, the ZnAl-CO3photocatalysts exhibit an impressive selectivity towards the deNOx process, avoiding the emission of the toxic NO2gas into the atmosphere. Interestingly,these promising deNOx results are repeated when working for a long irradiation period or with the highest concentration of NO in polluted atmospheres

The Effect Of Residents' Place Attachment On Their Attitude Towards Development Of Religious Tourism: The Moderating Effect Of Personal Benefit

Residents’ attitude towards tourism development in religious tourism destinations is especially relevant for tourism planning. Nevertheless, there are few studies that analyse how residents’ attitude towards development of religious tourism is formed. This paper analyses the effect of residents’ place attachment on their attitudes towards development of religious tourism, considering perceived impacts of tourism as mediator and the personal benefit derived from tourism as moderating effect. On the basis of a sample of 410 residents of Montecristi, a religious tourism destination of Ecuador, and using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the results show that place attachment directly influences the attitude towards development of religious tourism, but mainly through the perceived impacts of tourism. Moreover, this paper finds that the influence of the perceived impacts on the support for the development of religious tourism is higher in residents with a lower personal benefit than in residents with a higher personal benefit. These findings enable a series of recommendations to be made to the agents concerned regarding the development of religious tourism in sacred destinations

Cr3+ substituted Zn-Al layered double hydroxides as UV–Vis light photocatalysts for NO gas removal from the urban environment

The ZnAl-CO3, ZnAlCr-CO3 and ZnCr-CO3 LDH samples were studied as De-NOx photocatalysts in this work. Samples without Cr and increasing the presence of Cr3+ in the LDH framework in the 0.06, 0.15 and 0.3 Cr/Zn ratio were prepared by co-precipitation method, all of them constituted by pure LDH phase. The increase of chromium content in the LDH framework leads to lower crystallinity and higher specific surface area in the samples. Moreover, the CrO6 octahedron centres expand the photo-activity from UV to Visible light and assist to decrease the recombination rate of the electrons and holes. The favourable textural, optical and electronic properties of Cr-containing LDH samples explain the good NO removal efficiency (55%) and outstanding selectivity (90%) found for the analysed De-NOx process

A global view on the riparian forests with Salix neotricha and Populus alba in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain)

Forests dominated by Salix neotricha, and Populus alba found along the mesoeutrophic rivers in the Iberian Peninsula, were studied. We discuss the floristic circumscription, chorology, and community segregation based on the available releve´s of all Iberian riparian communities included in Populenion albae. Eleven formerly described communities were analyzed and due to original floristic combination, habitat features, and biogeographic scope, a new willow and poplar forest type is proposed within a well-defined biogeographical unit (Sadensean-Dividing Portuguese Subprovince): Clematido campaniflorae- Salicetum neotrichae. This syntaxon is found under a semi-hyperoceanic thermomediterranean to lower mesomediterranean, subhumid to humid bioclimate. Cluster analysis including all Iberian communities of Populenion albae shows a clear floristic segregation within the suballiance and confirms the originality of the new association. Furthermore, chemical characteristics of the water along some of the Portuguese watercourses with Populenion albae were studied and compared to the oligotrophic rivers occupied by Osmundo-Alnion communities. This study suggests that floristic separation between the communities of Populenion and Osmundo-Alnion is accompanied by a differentiation of the water trophic level

Seismic hazard assessment of Navarre (Northern Spain)

The RISNAV project, financed by the Civil Defence Department of Navarre (Northern Spain), aims at assessing seismic risk of the entire region. The final goal of the project is the definition of emergency plans for future earthquakes. With this purpose, four main topics are covered: seismic hazard characterization, geotechnical classification, vulnerability assessment and damage estimation. In this work, the seismic hazard and vulnerability assessment studies are presented