Moral Cleansing and Moral Licenses: experimental evidence

Research on moral cleansing and moral self-licensing has introduced dynamic considerations in the theory of moral behavior. Past bad actions trigger negative feelings that make people more likely to engage in future moral behavior to offset them. Symmetrically, past good deeds favor a positive self-perception that creates licensing effects, leading people to engage in behavior that is less likely to be moral. In short, a deviation from a “normal state of being” is balanced with a subsequent action that compensates the prior behavior. We model the decision of an individual trying to reach the optimal level of moral self-worth over time and show that under certain conditions the optimal sequence of actions follows a regular pattern which combines good and bad actions. We conduct an economic experiment where subjects play a sequence of giving decisions (dictator games) to explore this phenomenon. We find that donation in the previous period affects present decisions and the sign is negative: participants’ behavior in every round is negatively correlated to what they did in the past. Hence donations over time seem to be the result of a regular pattern of self-regulation: moral licensing (being selfish after altruist) and cleansing (altruistic after selfish).

Nucleophile dependent formation of 6- and 7-membered N-heterocycles by platinum-catalysed cyclisation of 1,5-bisallenes

An unprecedented Pt-catalysed cyclisation of N-tethered 1,5-bisallenes in the presence of oxygen nucleophiles is reported, where formation of 6- or 7-membered rings is driven by the choice of nucleophile and the mechanism dictated by the nucleophile and the electronic properties of the bisallene. The reaction in the presence of alcohols gives preferentially vinyltetrahydropyridines with an extra alkoxy group and Pt-H as the active species in the catalytic cycle, while formation of di- and tetrahydroazepines with an extra hydroxyl group is favoured when water is used as nucleophile, via nucleophilic attack/carbocyclization as the favoured pathway. The products obtained are frequently found in the core of natural products with important biological activities, so understanding this complex mechanistic behaviour and exploiting this new methodology will have a big impact in organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry

Diseño y promoción de una línea de productos lumínicos

[ES] En el presente documento se expone el procedimiento seguido para lograr la creación de una de luminaria. Se combina el diseño industrial y el diseño gráfico para proyectar la idea escogida. A través del diseño industrial se ha desarrollado en detalle un concepto de luminaria adaptable a los distintos tipos de lámparas que se encuentran en el mercado: sobremesas, lámparas de pie, lámparas colgantes y apliques. Así pues, se diseña una línea de productos lumínicos que comparte una relación funcional, formal, técnica y estética. Mediante el diseño gráfico se genera su promoción. Esta actividad creativa trasmite la creación del nuevo producto a través de imágenes, logotipos y un catálogo para su visibilidad en el mercado. A lo largo del documento se muestra una memoria que contiene paso a paso el procedimiento seguido hasta la decisión del diseño definitivo de la luminaria, añadiendo, el pliego de condiciones, planos y su presupuesto final. Por último, se ha utilizado las herramientas de diseño gráfico para generar una pequeña promoción del producto.Muñoz Gabarda, MP. (2019). Diseño y promoción de una línea de productos lumínicos. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/124210TFG

Zonas especiales económicas en Ecuador y la necesidad de una reforma sobre su regulación

El presente artículo analiza la eficacia que las zonas especiales económicas han tenido en el Ecuador mediante la ley de zonas francas, y el Código Orgánico de la Producción, Comercio e Inversiones; y, en particular, el modelo de zonas especiales de desarrollo económico (ZEDE), contemplado en dicho Código, además de la necesidad de una reforma normativa en la legislación ecuatorianasobre esas regiones especiales económicas. El tema se aborda a partir del impacto positivo que estas áreas geográficas han tenido en distintos países y cómo replicar los mismos resultados en Ecuador; lo que podría beneficiar a la economía ecuatoriana. Asimismo, se busca identificar cuáles son las ZEDE vigentes en el país y sus limitaciones, con el fin de lograr efectos similares a los obtenidos en el exterior. Los hallazgos confirmaron que efectivamente se requiere una actualización urgente de la regulación que permita mejorar el modelo en Ecuador, desde lo que respecta a la existente dificultad para conseguir su autorización y la variedad de tipos que puedan establecerse en el país; hasta los incentivos para el desarrollo de actividades en ellas. Con ello será posible atraer nuevas inversiones que aporten al crecimiento económico del Ecuador.Palabras clave: Economía, zonas especiales económicas, zona franca, zona especial de desarrollo económico, inversión, reforma normativa.AbstractThis paper will analyze the effectiveness that special economic zones have had in Ecuador, both with the Law of Free Zones and with the Organic Code of Production, Trade, and Investment. In particular, the model of the Special Economic Development Zone contemplated in this law, as well as the need for a regulatory reform regarding the special economic zones in Ecuadorian legislation.Thus, this topic will be discussed from the point of view of the impact that these have had in different countries around the world and how to replicate its impact in Ecuador, which could benefit the Ecuadorian economy. In addition, it will analyze the so-called Special Economic Development Zones currently in force, their limitations, and the need to improve this figure to obtain results similar tothose obtained by other countries. In conclusion, this analysis has determined the urgent need for regulatory reform to improve the model of special economic zones in Ecuador. The difficulties surrounding their authorization process and the various types that can be established in the country call for reform. Additionally, the incentives for development activities in these zones must be enhancedto attract new investments and contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.Keywords: Economy, special economic zones, free trade zone, special economic development zone, investment,regulatory refor

Estudio de materiales de construcción vernáculos empleados en el patrimonio cultural: guía para la restauración arquitectónica del Colegio Máximo de Cartuja. Granada-España (siglo XIX)

This work was supported by Research Project MAT2016-75889-R, 2017-2019 (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness); Research Groups HUM 629 and RNM 0179 of the Junta de Andalucia; TOP-Heritage Programme (Madrid Regional Government, ref. P2018/NMT-4372); REMINE Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and WARMEST Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017; Scientific Unit of excellence "Ciencia en la Alhambra", ref. UCE-PP2018-01, University of Granada. The professional support of the Spanish Network TechnoHeritage (Red de Ciencia y Tecnologia para la Conservacion del Patrimonio) is also acknowledged.Colegio Maximo de Cartuja in Granada (Spain) was built by the Jesuits in 19th century. Using an archaeometric study of the building materials: bricks, glazed tiles, stained glass windows and lime-gypsum mortars (mortar masonry and concrete masonry), the vernacular concept of this construction was established within the geological framework of the “Alhambra formation”, and raw materials and techniques first used by the Nasrids in the 13th century have been identified. The results of XRD, XRF and DTA analyzes indicate the use of local clays in the manufacture of bricks and tiles fired at temperatures of ≤750 ºC. The clays contained NaCl additives, which improved the ceramic sintering, and traditional Nasrid colours (Cu, Fe, Sn) were used in the glazes and stained glass windows. Local raw materials were also used for air binders. These results have been combined to create a good-practice guide for the sustainable restoration of cultural heritage buildings.El Colegio Máximo de Cartuja en Granada fue construido por los jesuitas en el siglo XIX. El estudio arqueométrico de sus materiales: ladrillos, azulejos, vidrieras y morteros, define el concepto vernáculo de esta construcción, referenciada en el marco geológico de la “formación Alhambra”, junto a la identificación de materias primas y técnicas utilizadas por los nazaríes desde el siglo XIII. Los resultados de XRD, XRF y DTA confirman el uso de arcillas locales para fabricación de ladrillos y losetas que se hornearon a temperaturas de ≤750 ºC. Las arcillas debieron contener aditivos de NaCl que beneficiaron la sinterización cerámica, y se comprobó el uso de colores de tradición nazarí (Cu, Fe, Sn) en los esmaltes y vidrieras. Las materias primas locales también se usaron para producir aglomerantes aéreos. Estos resultados se han combinado para crear una guía de buenas prácticas para la restauración sostenible de los edificios del patrimonio cultural.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MAT2016-75889-RJunta de Andalucia HUM 629 RNM 0179TOP-Heritage Programme (Madrid Regional Government) P2018/NMT-4372REMINE Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie ActionsWARMEST Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017Scientific Unit of excellence "Ciencia en la Alhambra", University of Granada UCE-PP2018-0

Anticancer activity and DNA interaction of bis(pyridyl)allene-derived metal complexes

The constant need for novel drugs has prompted the scientific community to explore alternative structures to natural products and small and medium size organic compounds used in classic medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Since the discovery of cisplatin, organometallic compounds have revealed great potential as metallodrugs and their development has exponentially grown in recent years. In this manuscript, we describe our efforts towards the synthesis of new metallodrugs by reaction of bis(pyridyl)allenes and metal complexes. Two classes of compounds are presented: one in which the allene structure is intact and the metal (Pd(II), Pt(IV) or Au(III)) coordinates to the pyridine-nitrogens; and another, in which one of the pyridines cyclises into a gold-activated allene to form β-N-stabilised gold carbenes. Both classes of compounds are active catalysts in important organic reactions, and are also promising antimicrobial, antifungal and anticancer agents. In this work, we describe the promising anticancer activity, against breast cancer cells, of the gold carbene complexes, and preliminary studies of their interaction with DNA, including non-canonical DNA structures. Our results have revealed an unusual selective stabilisation of hTeloC i-motif by one of the Au(III) carbene complexes, that opens up exciting opportunities for further development of novel DNA-binding metallodrugs

Comparative Exercise of Efficiency Between C/V Playa de Menduíña and R/V Vizconde de Eza in the NAFO Divisions 3NO in May 2001

In 2002 the R/V Vizconde de Eza will replace the C/V Playa de Menduíña in conducting the Platuxa bottom trawl series carried out by the Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo (Oceanographic Center of Vigo) since 1995. So in May of 2001 a comparative fishing experience was conducted to transform the series of the indices previously obtained and maintain the continuity of the time series obtained by the C/V Playa de Menduíña. A 81 parallel hauls series was performed. For each of the main species: American Plaice, Yellowtail flounder, Cod, Witch flounder and Thorny skate, the catches of both vessels were compared and a linear fit for these catches is presented. Also, we performed a comparative study on the catches by lenght for American plaice and Yellowtail flounder by a probability variant of the logistic curve, assuming unequal catches between the two vessels, and a fit to transformed these data. As anticipated, the values of the new indices were lower than the previous values, because teh Pedreira is approximately four times more efficient then the Campelen trawl gear

Moral cleansing and moral licenses: experimental evidence

Research on moral cleansing and moral self-licensing has introduced dynamic considerations in the theory of moral behavior. Past bad actions trigger negative feelings that make people more likely to engage in future moral behavior to offset them. Symmetrically, past good deeds favor a positive self-perception that creates licensing effects, leading people to engage in behavior that is less likely to be moral. In short, a deviation from a “normal state of being” is balanced with a subsequent action that compensates the prior behavior. We model the decision of an individual trying to reach the optimal level of moral self-worth over time and show that under certain conditions the optimal sequence of actions follows a regular pattern which combines good and bad actions. We conduct an economic experiment where subjects play a sequence of giving decisions (dictator games) to explore this phenomenon. We find that donation in the previous period affects present decisions and the sign is negative: participants’ behavior in every round is negatively correlated to what they did in the past. Hence donations over time seem to be the result of a regular pattern of self-regulation: moral licensing (being selfish after altruist) and cleansing (altruistic after selfish).Financial aid from MICINN (ECO2009-09120 and ECO2010-17049), Gobierno Vasco (DEUI, IT-313-07) and Junta e Andalucía-Excelencia (P07.SEJ.02547) is gratefully acknowledged

Twists and Turns of Platinum-Allene Complexes: NMR Techniques for the Study of the Dynamic Behaviour in Solution

Classic (dynamic exchange lineshape analysis) and novel (SSTD NMR) NMR techniques have been applied in order to obtain the kinetic and thermo-dynamic parameters of the three main processes occurring in the fluxional behaviour of Pt-allene complexes with N-containing ligands, in four and five coordination mode, in solution. Our results show intramolecular helical and rotational movements, closely related to each other confirming η1 -staggered structures as possible intermediates. The ligand exchange in these complexes seems to occur via a ligand-independent dissociative mechanism, where coordinating solvents might be involved in the stabilisation of the intermediates. The differences observed in the interaction of allenes with other metals could be the basis to explain the divergent reactivity observed in platinum catalysed processes