La luz es el tema [Entrevista]

Es difícil hablar sobre el espacio y la luz sin referirse a Alberto Campo Baeza. El conjunto de su obra escrita, proyectada y construida se constituye como una verdadera lección sobre el uso de la luz. Es por ello que me hace especial ilusión poder inaugurar con él esta nueva sección dedicada a la LUZ

Evaluation of the risk associated with karstic processes in Miocene gypsum in south-eastern Madrid (Spain)

Relief formations characteristic of karstification processes affecting the Miocene gypsum formations existing in south-eastern Madrid have been discovered in that area of the city. These relief formations can pose significant risks to future urban development plans.The purpose of this article is to present an integrated model created from a geomorphological analysis of south-eastern Madrid through aerial photographs, geophysical inspections (microgravimetry) and geotechnical studies (in situ drilling and testing), in order to identify and measure the morphologies associated with karstic processes whose locations, dimensions and geotechnical characteristics are prone to causing damages that could pose a potential risk. The risk analysis is based on a study of the risk factors, focusing on vulnerability and the measurement of structural mitigation measures capable of preventing the damages that could be caused by the interaction between structural foundations and the morphological consequences of karstic processes on the soil.Ocena tveganj povezanih z zakrasevanjem miocenske sadre v jugovzhodnem Madridu (Španija)V jugovzhodnem Madridu je veliko reliefnih oblik, ki kažejo na zakrasevanje miocenske sadre. To predstavlja tveganje, ki ga moramo upoštevati pri urbanističnem načrtovanju. V članku predstavljamo celovit pristop, ki temelji na geomorfoloških analizah aeroposnetkov, mikrogravimetričnih in geotehničnih raziskavah, s katerim smo zaznali in izmerili morfološke značilnosti, ki so povezane z aktivnim zakrasevanjem sadre. Analiza tveganj temelji na študiji dejavnikov tveganja in se osredotoča na ranljivost in oceno uspešnosti strukturnih ukrepov za blažitev vpliva zakrasevanja v prsti na strukturne temelje

Heavy metals in soil treated with sewage sludge composting, their effects on yield and uptake of broad bean seeds (Vicia faba, L.)

The final use that may be given to biosolids that result from the treatment of residual municipal waters depends on their physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. Their organic matter content and wealth of essential elements may allow their use for agricultural fertilization purposes. The objective of this research project was to evaluate the physicochemical interactions between soil treated with biosolids and compost from municipal residual waters, and the nutritional parameters of broad bean seeds (Vicia faba L.). The studied area is located in the central region of the Mexican Republic. The biosolids were treated with aerated static pile composting. The experimental work was performed in the area surrounding the East Toluca Macroplant, where nine 2 × 3m plots were defined and distributed in a Latin square; 3 plots were used as controls (without conditioning), 3 were conditioned with 4.5Mgha−1 of biosolids on a dry base, and 3 were conditioned with the same amount of compost. The parameters determined for biosolids, compost, and soil were: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K), total and available heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn); for the plant: height reached, green seeds productivity and yield per treatment (ton ha−1); for the seeds: humidity, ashes, fiber, fats, protein, starch and total and available heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn). pH was slightly acid in soil treated with biosolids (6.71). OM and CEC did not represent significant differences. Total concentrations of Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu in soil presented significant differences (p < 0.05) between treated soil and the control, Cd was not detected. Cu was the most available metal in soil treated with compost (15.31%), Cd and Cr were not detected. The plants had higher growth rates with biosolids (112.22 cm) and compost (103.73 cm); higher Green broad bean productivity and higher seed yield, especially in plots containing biosolids, which had rates three times higher than the control. In regards to broad bean seeds, content of ashes, fiber, fats, protein, starch and heavy metals (Cu, Ni and Zn), there were no significant differences between the treatments. Cd and Cr were not detected. In conclusion, it has been proven that the use of biosolids and compost studied in this broad bean crop do not involve an environmental risk, and thus give way to a solution to the problem of final disposition of biosolids in the region

Transformación de los mercados en la Ciudad de México. Reproducción fallida del modelo gourmet

The political narrative in Mexico City has raised the idea of transforming certain traditional public markets into gourmet markets. The city authorities developed policies to support this commercial format without achieving the expected results, granting only insufficient funds to remodel their aging infrastructure. Our aim in this article is to examine the alleged transformation of Mercado de San Angel towards a gourmet market, by confronting the official discourse and information collected in interviews with tenants and customers before, during and after the remodeling process. As part of our conclusions we argue that more than achieving the transformation from traditional to gourmet, we find the participation of the private sector in the emergence of staged gourmet markets, aimed at sectors of the population with high cultural and economic resources, who are willing to pay for products and services framed in a consumption experience.En la Ciudad de México se ha desarrollado un discurso público que considera la conveniencia de transformar, determinados mercados públicos, en mercados gourmet. Las medidas implementadas por el gobierno de la ciudad no han aportado los cambios esperados y, en general, se han limitado a pequeñas inversiones. Este artículo tiene por objetivo discutir el discurso de las autoridades locales con la reciente remodelación del mercado de San Ángel. Para ello fue necesario la revisión de documentos oficiales, así como trabajo de campo realizado antes, durante y posterior a la transformación del mercado, el cual consistió en la aplicación de entrevistas con locatarios y clientes. Como parte de las conclusiones, se propone que más allá de concretarse la transformación de mercados públicos, se aprecia la participación del sector privado en la reproducción de la escenificación de mercados gourmet, dirigidos a sectores de población quienes están dispuestos a pagar por productos y servicios enmarcados en una experiencia de consumo

Dielectric behaviour of Hf-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics obtained by conventional synthesis and reactive sintering

CaCu3(Ti4xHfx)O12 ceramics (JC = 0.04, 0.1 and 0.2) were prepared by conventional synthesis (CS) and through reactive sintering (RS), in which synthesis and sintering of the material take place in one single step. The microstructure and the dielectric properties of Hf-doped CCTO (CCTOHf) have been studied by XRD, FE-SEM, AFM, Raman and impedance spectroscopy (IS) in order to correlate the structure, microstructure and the electrical properties. Samples prepared by reactive sintering show slightly higher dielectric constant than those prepared by conventional synthesis in the same way than the pure CCTO. Dielectric constant and dielectric losses decrease slightly increasing Hf content. For CCTOHf ceramics with x> 0.04 for CS and x> 0.1 for RS, a secondary phase HfTi04 appears. As expected, the reactive sintering processing method allows a higher incorporation of Hf in the CCTO lattice than the conventional synthesis one

La inteligencia espiritual como estrategia para afrontar de manera constructiva el estrés laboral docente

Teachers´ activity is frequently threatened by the precarious conditions in which this practice is carried out. Teachers are exposed to different psychosocial risks that affect their performance and well-being. The present pre-test post-test study with a control group aims to examine the incidence of a intervention program based on the development of spiritual intelligence (SI) about the levels of stress reported by a group of 115 teachers from official educational institutions in Sincelejo (Sucre, Colombia). Within this intervention program, SI is understood as the ability to build a healthy (or adaptive) system of spiritual values or beliefs and adopt it as a lifestyle. SI encompasses three fundamental dimensions: cognitive (spiritual knowledge), affective (spiritual experience) and behavioral (contingency). Descriptive and inferential analysis were performed (intragroup and intergroup) and the variations of each institution were compared with their relationship to the teachers´ perception of the levels of stress before and after the intervention (measurements carried out on 2018 - 2019). The results show that teachers' perception of the levels of stress changed significantly from a high to a low risk factor.La actividad docente se ve amenazada frecuentemente por las condiciones precarias en las que se lleva a cabo. Los docentes están expuestos a diferentes riesgos de carácter psicosocial que afectan su desempeño y bienestar. El presente estudio pre-test post-test con grupo control tiene como objetivo examinar la incidencia de un programa de intervención basado en el desarrollo de la inteligencia espiritual (IE) sobre los niveles de estrés reportados por un grupo de 115 docentes de instituciones educativas oficiales de Sincelejo (Sucre, Colombia). Dentro de este programa de intervención, la IE se entiende como la capacidad de construir un sistema saludable (o adaptativo) de valores o creencias espirituales y de adoptarlo como estilo de vida. La IE abarca tres dimensiones fundamentalmente: cognitiva (conocimiento espiritual), afectiva (vivencia espiritual) y conductual (contingencia). Se hicieron análisis de tipo descriptivo e inferencial (intra-grupo e inter-grupo) y se compararon las variaciones de cada institución en relación con la percepción de los niveles de estrés de los docentes antes y después de la intervención (mediciones realizadas 2018 – 2019). Los resultados muestran que la percepción de los niveles de estrés de los docentes se transformaron significativamente, pasando de ser un factor de riesgo alto a uno bajo

Response of Horticultural Soil Microbiota to Different Fertilization Practices

Environmentally friendly agricultural production necessitates manipulation of microbe–plant interactions, requiring a better understanding of how farming practices influence soil microbiota. We studied the effect of conventional and organic treatment on soil bacterial richness, composition, and predicted functional potential. 16S rRNA sequencing was applied to soils from adjacent plots receiving either a synthetic or organic fertilizer, where two crops were grown within treatment, homogenizing for differences in soil properties, crop, and climate. Conventional fertilizer was associated with a decrease in soil pH, an accumulation of Ag, Mn, As, Fe, Co, Cd, and Ni; and an enrichment of ammonia oxidizers and xenobiotic compound degraders (e.g., Candidatus Nitrososphaera, Nitrospira, Bacillus, Pseudomonas). Soils receiving organic fertilization were enriched in Ti (crop biostimulant), N, and C cycling bacteria (denitrifiers, e.g., Azoarcus, Anaerolinea; methylotrophs, e.g., Methylocaldum, Methanosarcina), and disease-suppression (e.g., Myxococcales). Some predicted functions, such as glutathione metabolism, were slightly, but significantly enriched after a one-time manure application, suggesting the enhancement of sulfur regulation, nitrogen-fixing, and defense of environmental stressors. The study highlights that even a single application of organic fertilization is enough to originate a rapid shift in soil prokaryotes, responding to the differential substrate availability by promoting soil health, similar to recurrent applications.This work was supported by the Earth Microbiome Project; the METAMAHA project funded by the Basque Government’s Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism (SAIOTEK program; S-PE13UN130); and IT1014-16 and IT1213-19 Consolidated Research Group Projects

Dielectric behaviour of Hf-doped CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ ceramics obtained by conventional synthesis and reactive sintering

CaCu₃ (Ti₄₋ₓ Hfₓ )O₁₂ ceramics ( x  = 0.04, 0.1 and 0.2) were prepared by conventional synthesis (CS) and through reactive sintering (RS), in which synthesis and sintering of the material take place in one single step. The microstructure and the dielectric properties of Hf-doped CCTO (CCTOHf) have been studied by XRD, FE-SEM, AFM, Raman and impedance spectroscopy (IS) in order to correlate the structure, microstructure and the electrical properties. Samples prepared by reactive sintering show slightly higher dielectric constant than those prepared by conventional synthesis in the same way than the pure CCTO. Dielectric constant and dielectric losses decrease slightly increasing Hf content. For CCTOHf ceramics with x  > 0.04 for CS and x  > 0.1 for RS, a secondary phase HfTiO₄ appears. As expected, the reactive sintering processing method allows a higher incorporation of Hf in the CCTO lattice than the conventional synthesis one.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Zotarolimus-Eluting Versus Bare-Metal Stents in Uncertain Drug-Eluting Stent Candidates

BACKGROUND The use of drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients at high risk of bleeding or thrombosis has not been prospectively studied; limited data are available in patients who have a low restenosis risk. OBJECTIVES This study sought to compare a hydrophilic polymer-based, second-generation zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) with a unique drug fast-release profile versus bare-metal stents (BMS) under similar durations of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). METHODS We randomly assigned 1,606 patients with stable or unstable symptoms, and who on the basis of thrombotic bleeding or restenosis risk criteria, qualified as uncertain candidates for DES, to receive ZES or BMS. DAPT duration was on the basis of patient characteristics, rather than stent characteristics, and allowed for a personalized 1-month dual antiplatelet regimen. The primary endpoint was the risk of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which included death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS Median DAPT duration was 32 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 30 to 180 days) and did not differ between the groups. In the ZES group, 140 patients (17.5%) reached the primary endpoint, compared with 178 patients (22.1%) in the BMS group (hazard ratio: 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.61 to 0.95; p = 0.011) as a result of lower MI (2.9% vs. 8.1%; p < 0.001) and TVR rates (5.9% vs. 10.7%; p = 0.001) in the ZES group. Definite or probable stent thrombosis was also significantly reduced in ZES recipients (2.0% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Compared with BMS, DES implantation using a stent with a biocompatible polymer and fast drug-eluting characteristics, combined with an abbreviated, tailored DAPT regimen, resulted in a lower risk of 1-year MACE in uncertain candidates for DES implantation. (Zotarolimus-eluting Endeavor Sprint Stent in Uncertain DES Candidates [ZEUS] Study; NCT01385319) (C) 2015 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation