Electrolytic Nickel Impregnation of Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Films Using AC Voltage as Solar Selective Absorber

AbstractAnodized aluminum oxide films on aluminum substrates 1050 (99.5% Al) was impregnated with nickel by electrodeposition technique. In these paper, we report the synthesis of Ni using the galvanostat mode, and also some experimental modification in the frequency and voltage values, in order to optimize the amount content of Ni on aluminum substrate The data values of the total reflectance were analyzed in the visible solar spectrum and near infrared as a function of voltage, frequency and time of the impregnation process. Several experiments were performed in order to correlate these parameters with the nickel content in the bottom of the pores of the film and its reflectance properties. By morphological analysis found that samples with average nickel content of 10% of the total pore volume not exhibit good properties of a selective absorber, however the samples containing 60% of the total pore volume, present in the reflectance spectrum visible solar 5% and 90% in the infrared solar spectrum so it can be considered a good selective absorber films makes these coatings are prospects for implementation in solar collectors

Early Narratives of Desistance from Crime in Different Prison Regimes

Priority given to investigating the onset and maintenance of criminal behavior in the past is currently giving way to a new focus on the process of criminal desistance. Early narratives of future desistance are the first step in this process and, although they do not assure withdrawal from crime, they are the beginning of the personal change that precedes a progressive desistance from criminal activity. This study analyzes early desistance narratives of offenders still in prison and whether these narratives differed depending on their personal, criminal, and social characteristics. Participants were 44 imprisoned male offenders, aged between 20 and 50 years old at different stages of their sentence and in three different prison regimes. They were interviewed using Cid and Martí's protocol and their accounts were accordingly coded in three categories: early narratives towards a non-criminal identity, perceived self-efficacy to desist from crime, and will to desist. The results show that participants' early desistance narratives vary depending on their personal, criminal, and social variables. Results on the periods of sentence completion and prison regimes are discussed in terms of how prisons could contribute to enhancing the narratives of desistance from crime

Situación y perspectivas de la truficultura en España

En este trabajo se presenta un panorama de la situación de la truficultura en España, desde sus comienzos en los años 50 a la actualidad, y sus perspectivas de futuro. Se destacan la actividad científica y técnica, desarrolladas en Centros de Investigación y Universidades españolas, en aspectos diversos: micorrización en vivero, certificación de planta micorrizada, ecología de la trufa, recuperación de truferas naturales, cultivo y seguimiento de plantaciones truferas, taxonomía química, control de las especies de trufa, reforestación y selvicultura trufera. Se aprecia un aumento en el apoyo que se le da al sector desde las Administraciones Públicas, tanto desde la perspectiva forestal, la agraria o la, ya indicada, de la investigación. Se aportan datos de produccion, precios, áreas de recogida, mercados, investigación, plantaciones truferas. Se da un breve resumen de las perspectivas del sector trufero en España. SUMMARY The objective of this work is to provide a overview of truffle cultivation in Spain from its beginnings in the 1950s to the present, and its prospects for the future. At the moment, truffle cultivation in Spain is a reality. There is a great deal of activity on the part of farmers as well as on the part of scientific researchers in universities and specialised centres who are investigating a wide range of aspects on the subject: mycorrhization in nurseries, mycorrhized plant certification, ecology, recuperation of wild truffle stands, monitoring of truffle plantations, chemical taxonomy, control of truffle species, and reforestation and truffle cultivation. A growing support for the truffle sector from the Public Administration can be observed, as much from the agrarian and forestry perspective as from the mentioned research perspective. Data on production, prices, collection areas, markets, publications, truffle plantations and research are given. Finally, we give a brief summary of future prospects for the truffle sector in Spain

Reduction in cardiovascular risk by sodium-bicarbonated mineral water in moderately hypercholesterolemic young adults.

Effects of drinking a sodium bicarbonated mineral water on cardiovascular risk in young men and women with moderate cardiovascular risk were studied. Eighteen young volunteers, total cholesterol levels >5.2 mmol/L without any disease participated. The study consisted in two 8-week intervention periods. Subjects consumed, as a supplement of their usual diet, 1 L/d of a control low mineral water followed by 1 L/d of the bicarbonated mineral water (mmol/L: sodium, 48; bicarbonate, 35; and chloride, 17). Determinations were performed at the end of the control water period and weeks 4 and 8 of the bicarbonated water period. Body weight, BMI, blood pressure, dietary intake, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, Apo A-I, Apo B, triacylgycerols, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM and sVCAM), sodium and chloride urinary excretion, and urine pH were measured. Dietary intake, body weight and BMI showed no significant variations. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after 4 weeks of bicarbonated water consumption without significant differences between the weeks 4 and 8. Significant reductions were observed after bicarbonated water consumption of total cholesterol (by 6.3%, p=0.012), LDL-cholesterol (by 10% p=0.001), total/HDL-cholesterol (p=0.004), LDL/HDL-cholesterol (p=0.001), and Apo B (p=0.017). Serum triacylglycerols, Apo A-I, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and hs-CRP levels did not change. Serum glucose values tended to decrease during the bicarbonated water intervention (p=0.056) but insulin levels did not vary. This sodium bicarbonated mineral water improves lipid profile in moderately hypercholesterolemic young men and women and could therefore be applied in dietary interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk

Uncovering perceived identification accuracy of in-vehicle biometric sensing

Biometric techniques can help make vehicles safer to drive, authenticate users, and provide personalized in-car experiences. However, it is unclear to what extent users are willing to trade their personal biometric data for such benefits. In this early work, we conducted an open card sorting study (N=11) to better understand how well users perceive their physical, behavioral and physiological features can personally identify them. Findings showed that on average participants clustere

Selective fractionation of free glucose and starch from microalgae using aqueous two-phase systems

Microalgae are a promising source of lipids, pigments, proteins and carbohydrates, which are valuable compounds for many industries. However, optimal fractionation and valorization of all produced compounds is necessary to improve the economic viability of microalgae production. This paper aims to understand the fractionation of microalgae carbohydrates (free glucose and starch) in aqueous two-phase systems. Three aqueous two-phase systems were investigated to efficiently and mildly separate carbohydrates from disrupted Neochloris oleoabundans. This strain contains 16 w/w% of proteins, 48 w/w% total fatty acids and 27 w/w% carbohydrates when cultivated under saline water and nitrogen depletion conditions. The protein content decreases and the amount of fatty acids and carbohydrates increases notably under stress conditions and glucose becomes the main carbohydrate in this microalgae. Glucose is present in the disrupted microalgae as part of polymeric carbohydrates (starch) or in monomeric form (free glucose). With the aqueous two-phase system Polyethylene Glycol 400 - Cholinium dihydrogen phosphate (PEG400-ChDHp) microalgal free glucose is fractionated up to a recovery of 99% to the most hydrated bottom phase in a single step. Simultaneously, a recovery of 70% is reached for microalgal starch in the interface after two additional liquid-liquid extractions with PEG400-ChDHp. The final fractions obtained were free of pigments.publishedVersionPaid Open Acces

Critical behavior of the frustrated antiferromagnetic six-state clock model on a triangular lattice

We study the anti-ferromagnetic six-state clock model with nearest neighbor interactions on a triangular lattice with extensive Monte-Carlo simulations. We find clear indications of two phase transitions at two different temperatures: Below $T_I$ a chirality order sets in and by a thorough finite size scaling analysis of the specific heat and the chirality correlation length we show that this transition is in the Ising universality class (with a non-vanishing chirality order parameter below $T_I$). At $T_{KT}(<T_I)$ the spin-spin correlation length as well as the spin susceptibility diverges according to a Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) form and spin correlations decay algebraically below $T_{KT}$. We compare our results to recent x-ray diffraction experiments on the orientational ordering of CF$_3$Br monolayers physisorbed on graphite. We argue that the six-state clock model describes the universal feature of the phase transition in the experimental system and that the orientational ordering belongs to the KT universality class.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Tricritical behavior of the frustrated XY antiferromagnet

Extensive histogram Monte-Carlo simulations of the XY antiferromagnet on a stacked triangular lattice reveal exponent estimates which strongly favor a scenario of mean-field tricritical behavior for the spin-order transition. The corresponding chiral-order transition occurs at the same temperature but appears to be decoupled from the spin-order. These results are relevant to a wide class of frustrated systems with planar-type order and serve to resolve a long-standing controversy regarding their criticality.Comment: J1K 2R1 4 pages (RevTex 3.0), 4 figures available upon request, Report# CRPS-94-0

Summer truffle in the Iberian Peninsula: current status and crop potential

La trufa de verano (Tuber aestivum, incluyendo Tuber uncinatum) es una especie de un gran valor económico y social, que se produce de modo silvestre en toda Europa, norte de África y parte de Oriente medio. Los esfuerzos de cultivo de esta especie en la península ibérica han permanecido en un segundo plano debido a las condiciones adecuadas de ciertos terrenos para cultivar especies de mayor valor económico, como la trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum). Sin embargo, la trufa de verano es una alternativa viable y muy productiva para zonas de dudosa aptitud para T. melanosporum. En este trabajo, mediante revisión bibliográfica, se ponen de manifiesto los siguientes aspectos: la distribución y ecología de T. aestivum, la situación actual del cultivo, así como las perspectivas de futuro propias de esta especie en la península ibérica. En rasgos generales, se ha constatado su mayor amplitud ecológica y geográfica en relación a la trufa negra y se ha observado que es un cultivo incipiente pero en crecimiento. Sin embargo, se ha deducido que aún es necesario realizar un gran esfuerzo para dar a conocer este producto tanto a cultivadores como a consumidores potenciales en España así como divulgar aspectos técnicos sobre la gestión de su cultivo.Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum, including Tuber uncinatum) is a species of great economic and social value. Wild summer truffles are produced all over Europe, North Africa and part of the Middle East. This species has been underutilized in the Iberian Peninsula due to ability of certain areas to cultivate species of greater economic value, such as the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum). However, the summer truffle is an alternative species for areas where the black truffle is not well adapted. In this paper, the distribution and ecology of T. aestivum, the current situation and the future prospects of this crop in the Iberian Peninsula is reviewed. Summer truffle is a growing crop, well adapted in greater ecological and geographical areas than black truffle. However, it is still necessary to carry out further efforts to publicize it to both growers and consumers in Spain and to spread technical aspects of its managementPublishe