Synthesis, structure and dielectric properties of a new family of phases, ABC3O11 : A = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd; B = Zr, Hf; C = Ta, Nb

Eight new phases with the general formula of ABC3O11 with different rare earth, (Zr, Hf), (Nb, Ta) combinations, have been prepared by solid-state reactions at a temperature range of 1200–1500 °C. The new phases—LaHfTa, LaHfNb, LaZrNb, PrHfTa, NdHfTa, NdHfNb, SmHfTa and GdHfTa—are characterised by X-ray and neutron diffraction data at room temperature and variable frequency impedance measurements. They are isostructural with LaZrTa3O11 which consist of alternating single layers of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids and octahedra as shown by Rietveld refinement of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. Lattice parameters decrease with decreasing size of rare earth element substitution at A-site, and of all, Gd is the smallest rare earth that formed LaZrTa3O11 analogues. Detailed attempts of attained and unattainable LaZrTa3O11 analogues with different temperatures are included in this paper. All phases are highly insulating with temperature-independent bulk permittivities in the range 17 to 50; LaHfNb demonstrates the highest permittivity. Arrhenius plot shows that the activation energies are in the range 0.8 to 1.94 eV

Nuevos datos sobre Otiorhynchus (Lixorrhynchus) zariquieyi (Clermont, 1949) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

En este artículo se da a conocer el hallazgo de nuevos ejemplares de Otiorhynchus (Lixorrhynchus) zariquieyi (Clermont, 1949). Hasta ahora, la especie era conocida por su espécimen tipo, un macho capturado en medio endogeo en 1928. Cuatro machos y ocho hembras capturados vivos, además de algunos restos, fueron recolectados en dos nuevas localidades de España, las cuevas Tassana y de la Bora Major (Alt Empordà, Girona). Se redescribe la especie, aportándose nuevos detalles de su morfología, en particular, la genitalia de ambos sexos. También se comentan algunos aspectos relativos a su ecologia y distribución. Es la primera vez que se documenta la presencia de la especie en hábitat cavernícola. Palabras clave: Otiorhynchus zariquieyi, Curculionidae, Nuevas citas, Hábitat cavernícola, Descripción, España.This paper discusses the discovery of new specimens of Otiorhynchus (Lixorrhynchus) zariquieyi (Clermont, 1949). Until now, the species was known by its type specimen, a male captured in an endogean environment in 1928. Four live males, eight live females and some remains were collected from two further localities in Spain, the Tassana and the Bora Major caves (Alt Empordà, Girona). The species is redescribed, giving new details of its morphology, in particular the genitalia of both sexes. Some remarks about the ecology and distribution are also provided. It is the first time this species has been found in a cave habitat. Key words: Otiorhynchus zariquieyi, Curculionidae, New records, Cave habitat, Description, Spain.En este artículo se da a conocer el hallazgo de nuevos ejemplares de Otiorhynchus (Lixorrhynchus) zariquieyi (Clermont, 1949). Hasta ahora, la especie era conocida por su espécimen tipo, un macho capturado en medio endogeo en 1928. Cuatro machos y ocho hembras capturados vivos, además de algunos restos, fueron recolectados en dos nuevas localidades de España, las cuevas Tassana y de la Bora Major (Alt Empordà, Girona). Se redescribe la especie, aportándose nuevos detalles de su morfología, en particular, la genitalia de ambos sexos. También se comentan algunos aspectos relativos a su ecologia y distribución. Es la primera vez que se documenta la presencia de la especie en hábitat cavernícola. Palabras clave: Otiorhynchus zariquieyi, Curculionidae, Nuevas citas, Hábitat cavernícola, Descripción, España

El símbolo perdido: estética y pensamiento en las adaptaciones cinematográficas de obras de Antonio Buero Vallejo

Cuatro adaptaciones cinematográficas se han hecho de obras de Antonio Buero Vallejo, cantidad modesta si se compara con la de otros dramaturgos de su talla. En el presente artículo se analizan por primera vez estos filmes en busca de las causas que expliquen el aparente desinterés del cine hacia dicho autor. La tesis que se plantea es la de que existen dos elementos estético-filosóficos en la dramaturgia de Buero, el simbolismo y la “tragedia esperanzada”, difíciles de llevar a la gran pantalla, por lo que los adaptadores han optado siempre por mitigarlos o incluso por anularlos

Coleópteros hipogeos protegidos o que requieren medidas de conservación en Cataluña

Coleòpters hipogeus protegits o que requereixen mesures de conservació a Catalunya La fauna hipogea es caracteritza per una estreta adaptació a les condicions adverses del domini subterrani. Tal grau d’especialització, però, fa que esdevingui especialment vulnerable a l’alteració del seu hàbitat. En l’àmbit de Catalunya hi ha diferents normes legislatives per a la conservació d’invertebrats amenaçats. De fet, bona part de les espècies de coleòpters incloses en el Decret 328/1992, del Pla d’Espais d’Interès Natural, (PEIN) o en el futur Catàleg de la Fauna Amenaçada de Catalunya (CFAC) estan associades al domini subterrani. El present treball recopila la normativa aplicable i altres documents relatius a la protecció de la fauna de coleòpters hipogeus de Catalunya. S’hi aporten dades faunístiques i biogeogràfiques actualitzades, així com la informació disponible sobre l’estat de conservació de les espècies considerades, la majoria endemismes circumscrits a una àrea reduïda. Finalment, es comenten breument els resultats del seguiment d’algunes d’aquestes espècies portat a terme durant els últims anys pel Departament d’Artròpodes del Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, en col·laboració amb l’Associació Catalana de Biospeleologia.Species of hypogean beetles that are protected or that require conservation measures  in Catalonia Hypogean species are characterized by their good  adaptation  to the adverse conditions of their subterranean habitats. Such specialization, however, makes them particularly vulnerable to alterations in their habitat. In the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, several legislative tools have been developed to  protect  threatened invertebrates and most  beetle species included in Decree 328/1992 protecting Areas of Natural Interest in Catalonia (PEIN) or considered in the future decree on the protection of Catalan invertebrates (CFAC) are linked to subterranean habitats. In the present revision we compile regulations and other documents relating to the protection of beetle hypogean fauna in Catalonia.  We provide updated faunistic and biogeographic data as well as information on the conservation status of the species, most of which are endemisms confined to a small area. Some of these species have been monitored in recent years by the Arthropod Department of the Natural Sciences Museum of Barcelona (in collaboration with the Catalan Biospeleology Association) and the results of these studies are briefly discussed.La fauna hipogea se caracteriza por una estrecha adaptación a las condiciones adversas del dominio subterráneo. Tal grado de especialización, sin embargo, hace que resulte especialmente vulnerable a las alteraciones de su hábitat. En el ámbito de Cataluña existen diferentes normas legislativas para la conservación de invertebrados amenazados. De hecho, gran parte de las especies de coleópteros contempladas en el Decreto 328/1992, del Plan de Espacios de Interés Natural (PEIN), o en el futuro Catálogo de la Fauna Amenazada de Cataluña (CFAC) están asociadas al dominio subterráneo. El presente trabajo recopila la normativa aplicable y otros documentos relativos a la protección de la fauna de coleópteros hipogeos de Cataluña. Se aportan datos faunísticos y biogeográficos actualizados, así como la información disponible sobre el estado de conservación de las especies consideradas, la mayoría endemismos circunscritos a un área reducida. Por último, se comentan brevemente los resultados del seguimiento de algunas de estas especies realizado durante los últimos años por el Departamento de Artrópodos del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona, en colaboración con la Asociación Catalana de Biospeleología

Numerical evolutions of boson stars in Palatini f(R)f(\mathcal{R}) gravity

We investigate the time evolution of spherically symmetric boson stars in Palatini $f(\mathcal{R})$ gravity through Numerical Relativity computations. Employing a novel approach that establishes a correspondence between modified gravity with scalar matter and General Relativity with modified scalar matter, we are able to use the techniques of Numerical Relativity to simulate these systems. Specifically, we focus on the quadratic theory $f(\mathcal{R})=\mathcal{R}+\xi\mathcal{R}^2$ and compare the obtained solutions with those in General Relativity, exploring both positive and negative values of the coupling parameter $\xi$. Our findings reveal that boson stars in Palatini $f(\mathcal{R})$ gravity exhibit both stable and unstable evolutions. The latter give rise to three distinct scenarios: migration towards a stable configuration, complete dispersion, and gravitational collapse leading to the formation of a baby universe structure

Birth of baby universes from gravitational collapse in a modified-gravity scenario

We consider equilibrium models of spherical boson stars in Palatini $f(\mathcal{R})=\mathcal{R}+\xi \mathcal{R}^2$ gravity and study their collapse when perturbed. The Einstein-Klein-Gordon system is solved using a recently established correspondence in an Einstein frame representation. We find that, in that frame, the endpoint is a nonrotating black hole surrounded by a quasi-stationary cloud of scalar field. However, the dynamics in the $f(\mathcal{R})$ frame is dramatically different. The innermost region of the collapsing object exhibits the formation of a finite-size, exponentially-expanding $\textit{ baby universe}$ connected with the outer (parent) universe via a minimal area surface (a throat or umbilical cord). Our simulations indicate that this surface is at all times hidden inside a horizon, causally disconnecting the baby universe from observers above the horizon. The implications of our findings in other areas of gravitational physics are also discussed

Asymmetric wormholes in Palatini f(R)f(\mathcal{R}) gravity: Energy conditions, absorption and quasibound states

We investigate the absorption properties of reflection-asymmetric wormholes constructed via the thin-shell formalism in Palatini $f({\cal R})$ gravity. Such wormholes come from the matching of two Reissner-Nordstr\"om spacetimes at a time-like hypersurface (shell), which, according to the junction conditions in Palatini $f({\cal R})$ gravity, can have positive or negative energy density. Using numerical methods we investigate several configurations that satisfy the junction conditions, and analyze how the parameters of the system affect the absorption spectra. We confirm that the absorption cross section of wormholes at low frequencies significantly departs from that of black holes, and observe that in configurations made out of two naked singularities, the absorption spectra exhibit new features due to the effective light ring associated to the wormhole throat. The possibility of observing the presence of resonances at high frequencies is also discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, revtex4-2 styl

Non-Ohmic Phenomena in Mn-doped BaTiO3

We report here a novel effect in which the resistance of a semiconducting oxide ceramic increases on application of a small dc bias. The ceramic conducts at high temperatures by an n-type hopping mechanism. On application of a dc bias, conduction electrons are trapped at surface states and the resistance increases. On removal of the dc bias, the trapped electrons are released and the sample regains its original state. This effect is the mirror image of that seen with similar ceramics that conduct by a p-type mechanism whose resistance decreases reversibly on application of a small dc bias. These two phenomena together offer the possibility of novel switching devices and memristive applications, especially if the switching times can be reduced

Automatic Personality Assessment through Movement Analysis

Obtaining accurate and objective assessments of an individual’s personality is vital in many areas including education, medicine, sports and management. Currently, most personality assessments are conducted using scales and questionnaires. Unfortunately, it has been observed that both scales and questionnaires present various drawbacks. Their limitations include the lack of veracity in the answers, limitations in the number of times they can be administered, or cultural biases. To solve these problems, several articles have been published in recent years proposing the use of movements that participants make during their evaluation as personality predictors. In this work, a multiple linear regression model was developed to assess the examinee’s personality based on their movements. Movements were captured with the low-cost Microsoft Kinect camera, which facilitates its acceptance and implementation. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, a pilot study was conducted aimed at assessing the personality traits defined by the Big-Five Personality Model. It was observed that the traits that best fit the model are Extroversion and Conscientiousness. In addition, several patterns that characterize the five personality traits were identified. These results show that it is feasible to assess an individual’s personality through his or her movements and open up pathways for several research.This research was partially funded by the Spanish National Project, grant number RTI2018- 101857-B-I00. Additionally, by Instituto Salud Carlos III, grant number DTS21/00091. It has been also partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PID2020-114911GB-I00

REMOTE SENSING ANALYTICAL GEOSPATIAL OPERATIONS DIRECTLY IN THE WEB BROWSER

Current map viewers that run on modern web browsers are mainly requesting images generated on the fly in the server side and transferred in pictorial format that they can display (PNG or JPEG). In OGC WMS standard this is done for the whole map view while in WMTS is done per tiles. The user cannot fine tune personalized visualization or data analysis in the client side. Remote sensing data is structured in bands that are visualize individually (manually adjusting contrast), create RGB combinations or present spectral indices. When these operations are not available in map browsers professional are forced to download hundreds of gigabytes of remote sensing imagery to take a good look at the data before deciding if it fits for a purpose. A possible solution is to create a web service that is able to perform these operations on the server side (https://www.sentinel-hub.com). This paper proposes that the server should communicate the data values to the client in a format that the client can directly process using two new additions in HTML5: canvas edition and array buffers. In the client side, the user can interact with a JavaScript interface changing symbolizations and doing some analytical operations without having to request any data again to the server. As a bonus, the user is able to perform queries to the data in a more dynamic way, applying spatial filters, creating histograms, generating animations of a time series or performing complex calculations among bands of the different loaded datasets