Charge control in laterally coupled double quantum dots

We investigate the electronic and optical properties of InAs double quantum dots grown on GaAs (001) and laterally aligned along the [110] crystal direction. The emission spectrum has been investigated as a function of a lateral electric field applied along the quantum dot pair mutual axis. The number of confined electrons can be controlled with the external bias leading to sharp energy shifts which we use to identify the emission from neutral and charged exciton complexes. Quantum tunnelling of these electrons is proposed to explain the reversed ordering of the trion emission lines as compared to that of excitons in our system.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures submitted to PRB Rapid Com

Evaluación del efecto de distintos generadores de anhídrido sulfuroso (SO2) sobre la incidencia de pudriciones y blanqueamiento en uva de mesa, var. Red Goble.

35 p.Los defectos en la condición y calidad de la uva de mesa cv. Red Globe, son determinantes en la aceptación de la fruta en los lugares de venta. Por lo tanto es determinante que el manejo de pre y postcosecha sea eficiente en la reducción de los factores que inciden directa o indirectamente en la cantidad y magnitud de los defectos que se presentan en la fruta. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar diferentes tipos de generadores de anhídrido sulfuroso en el control de pudriciones, causadas por: la Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum y el complejo de pudrición ácida. La unidad experimental utilizada fue la caja, se colocaron tres bayas con pudrición en forma diagonal en cada caja. A modo de hacer mas real la situación que ocurre en almacenaje de bayas infectadas que no fueron detectadas en los procesos anteriores, estas se recolectaron en el campo o en la etapa de limpieza. También se evaluó el blanqueamiento de bayas, el cual es ocasionado por el exceso de concentración de SO2 producido por los generadores, los cuales presentaron tres niveles de severidad. El ensayo consto de siete tratamientos con cinco repeticiones cada uno. El diseño fue ejecutado completamente al azar. El estudio se efectuó en tres fechas de evaluación: 30, 60 y 90 días post embalaje para así determinar la incidencia en porcentaje de pudriciones y decoloración para cada una de las repeticiones. Una vez hechas las evaluaciones se realizo un análisis estadístico para determinar las diferencias entre los tratamientos. Los resultados con respecto a las pudriciones, arrojaron diferencias entre los tratamientos testigos y los demás tratamientos, pero no así para el factor de decoloración, el cual mostró diferencias en algunos casos, presentándose errático al momento de observar lo que ocurría en las diferentes fechas de evaluación; tampoco se visualizo un patrón normal de comportamiento en un mismo tratamiento. Lo anterior sugiere que el generador LL IMAL acompañado del Bottom Pad fue el mejor controlador para las diferentes pudriciones causadas por la B. cinerea y el complejo de pudrición ácida; seguido de los otros generadores que contenían este dispositivo de fase rápida. Con respecto a las pudriciones causadas por la Penicillium expansum no hubo diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. A pesar de que LL IMAL junto con el Bottom Pad mostró altos índices de decoloración, no existieron diferencias estadísticas entre tratamientos para este defecto de calidad. En el caso de las pudriciones causadas por la Botrytis cinerea y la pudrición ácida, no hubo apreciaciones en la primera evaluación, pero en las siguientes se nota un cambio de ambas./ABSTRACT: Defect of condition and quality of Red Globe’s grapes are factors that determinate the acceptance level of the fruit, in the sales place. Thus, it is determinant the efficiency of the harvest and post harvest processes, in such a way of reduce of factors that fall into directly and indirectly in the quality and magnitude of the defect in the fruit. The propose of this study is to assessment different types of sulphur dioxide generators within the rotting control’s processes, caused by Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum and the complex acid rotting. The experimental unit was the box, locating three berry with rotting in a diagonal way in each of them. As, by way of making more realistic the situation that occur in the storage with infected berry which were not detected in earlier process, these was recollected in the farm or in cleaning stage. Moreover, the berry’s whitening was evaluated as well, which is caused by excess concentration of SO2 produced by the generators with three levels sternness. The experiment was developed in seven treatments with seven repetitions each of them. The design was completely chance, and was developed in three dates of assessment: 30,60 and 90 days post packaging and then was possible to determinate incidence in rotting and fading percentage for each one of the sample or repetition. Once done the assessment statistical analysis was done intended to determinate the gap between treatments. Outcomes referent to the rotting shown gap between witness treatments and the others, but not for fading factor, which shown gap in some case, being wrong at time to observe what happened within different dates of evaluation; did not observe a normal patron of behavior in a same treatment. The exposed earlier suggest that the generator LL IMAL accompany with Bottom Pad was the best controller in different rotting caused by B. cinerea and the complex acid rotting, followed by others generators that contained this device of phase fast. With regard to rotting caused by Penicillium expansum it had not significant gap between treatment. In despite of LL IMAL plus Bottom Pad shown high rates of fading, there was not statistic gap between treatment with this defect of quality. In the case of rotting caused by Botrytis cinerea and acid rotting, there was not evidence in the first evaluation, but in follows is appreciated a change in both

Assessing Development Strategies to Achieve the MDGs in Asia: Philippines (Final Report)

The Philippines is a developing country with strong commitment to the millennium development goals (MDGs). However, it faces challenges in closing MDG gaps, owing to mediocre growth, macroeconomic instability, and financing constraints. Since the 1990s, increases in per capita incomes have been pulled down by tepid growth in productivity, rapid population growth, and macroeconomic instability. Since the mid-1980s, however, various reforms have been implemented to lay the foundation for sustained growth and poverty reduction.The external imbalance was a concern in the 1980s and 1990s, as the country endured balance of payments crises and persistent trade deficits; however, recently capital inflows have soared, due mainly to rapid growth of overseas remittances. The fiscal balance remains a policy challenge; public finance through borrowing, whether domestic or foreign, is complicated by large and persistent debt stocks. ODA has shrunk, owing in part to institutional factors. Recently public finance through taxation has suffered from tentative revenue effort.The country's record in the MDGs is mixed. Progress has been made in child health, potable water, and sanitation. However, inroads against extreme poverty are complicated by an anomalous relationship between poverty and growth. The responsiveness of education outcome to public spending is apparently low; goals for education and maternal health remain elusive.The study recommends attempting to close the MDG gaps using tax financing. This financing option is feasible in the sense that the required revenue effort has been achieved in previous decades. Admittedly, it entails a dramatic improvement in revenue effort compared to most recent (decadal) trends. This underscores the urgent, development-based rationale for raising tax collection efficiency, introducing new tax policies, in combination with public sector reforms for cost-effective service delivery

Vascular lysyl oxidase over-expression alters extracellular matrix structure and induces oxidative stress

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) participates in the assembly of collagen and elastin fibres. The impact of vascular LOX over-expression on extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and its contribution to oxidative stress has been analysed. Methods Studies were conducted on mice over-expressing LOX (Tg), specifically in smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR analysis. Sirius Red staining, H 2 O 2 production and NADPH oxidase activity were analysed in different vascular beds. The size and number of fenestra of the internal elastic lamina were determined by confocal microscopy. Results LOX activity was up-regulated in VSMC of transgenic mice compared with cells from control animals. At the same time, transgenic cells deposited more organised elastin fibres and their supernatants induced a stronger collagen assembly in in vitro assays. Vascular collagen cross-linking was also higher in Tg mice, which showed a decrease in the size of fenestrae and an enhanced expression of Fibulin-5. Interestingly, higher H 2 O 2 production and NADPH oxidase activity was detected in the vascular wall from transgenic mice. The H 2 O 2 scavenger catalase attenuated the stronger deposition of mature elastin fibres induced by LOX transgenesis. Conclusions LOX over-expression in VSMC was associated with a change in the structure of collagen and elastin fibres. LOX could constitute a novel source of oxidative stress that might participate in elastin changes and contribute to vascular remodellingLa lisil oxidasa (LOX) contribuye al ensamblaje de las fibras de colágeno y elastina de la matriz extracelular (MEC). Hemos determinado las consecuencias de la sobre-expresión vascular de LOX sobre la estructura de la MEC y su contribución al estrés oxidativo. Métodos: Los estudios se desarrollaron en ratones que sobre-expresan la LOX (Tg) específicamente en células musculares lisas vasculares (CMLV). Se realizaron análisis por PCR a tiempo real, tinción de rojo sirio, producción de H2O2 y actividad NADPH oxidasa. Se caracterizaron las fenestras de la lámina elástica interna mediante microscopía confocal. Resultados: Las CMLV de ratones transgénicos presentaron niveles de actividad LOX superiores a los de animales control. En consonancia, las células transgénicas depositaron más fibras de elastina organizada y sus sobrenadantes indujeron un mayor ensamblaje de colágeno en ensayos in vitro. El nivel de colágeno maduro fue superior en la pared vascular de ratones Tg, que presentaban un menor área de las fenestras y un aumento de la expresión de la Fibulina-5. La producción vascular de H2O2 y la actividad NADPH oxidasa fueron superiores en los ratones transgénicos. La incubación de CMLV con catalasa atenuó el incremento en la deposición de fibras de elastina madura inducido por la transgénesis de LOX. Conclusiones: La sobre-expresión de la LOX en CMLV se asocia a una alteración de la estructura vascular del colágeno y la elastina. La LOX podría constituir una nueva fuente de estrés oxidativo que participaría en la alteración estructural de la MEC y podría contribuir al remodelado vascularEste estudio se ha financiado por la Fundación Española de Aterosclerosis, Beca SEA/FEA de Investigación básica 2016 y por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) [proyectos PI15/01016, PI13/01488, SAF2012-36400; SAF2015-64767-R]. El CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares es una iniciativa del ISCIII. AMB recibió una ayuda del programa Ramón y Cajal (RYC-2010-06473). El estudio ha sido cofinanciado por el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER

Strain balanced quantum posts

Quantum posts are assembled by epitaxial growth of closely spaced quantum dot layers, modulating the composition of a semiconductor alloy, typically InGaAs. In contrast with most self-assembled nanostructures, the height of quantum posts can be controlled with nanometer precision, up to a maximum value limited by the accumulated stress due to the lattice mismatch. Here we present a strain compensation technique based on the controlled incorporation of phosphorous, which substantially increases the maximum attainable quantum post height. The luminescence from the resulting nanostructures presents giant linear polarization anisotropy.Comment: Submitted to Applied Physics Letters (7th March 2011). 4 pages, 4 figure

C-Src, ERK1/2 and Rho kinasemediate hydrogen peroxide-induced vascular contraction in hypertension: Role ofTXA2, NAD(P)H oxidase andmitochondria

AIM: : The aim of this study was to analyse the signalling pathways involved in H2O2 vascular responses in hypertension. METHODS: Vascular function, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) production, oxidative stress and protein expression were determined in mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) from hypertensive (spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. RESULTS: H2O2 and the TP agonist U46619 induced greater contractile responses in MRA from SHR than WKY. Moreover, H2O2 increased TXA2 production more in SHR than in WKY. The c-Src inhibitor PP1 reduced H2O2 and U46619-induced contraction and TXA2 release in both strains. The ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 reduced H2O2 but not U46619-induced contraction only in SHR arteries. The Rho kinase inhibitor Y26372 reduced H2O2 and U46619-induced contractions only in SHR arteries. Basal c-Src, ERK1/2 and Rho kinase expression were greater in MRA from SHR than WKY. In SHR, the combination of PD98059 with the TP antagonist SQ29548 but not with Y27632 inhibited the H2O2 contraction more than each inhibitor alone. H2O2 and U46619 increased NAD(P)H oxidase activity and O2 production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in vessels from SHR. The effects induced by H2O2 were abolished by inhibitors of TXA2 synthase, ERK1/2 and c-Src. The mitochondrial antioxidant mitoTEMPO reduced H2O2-induced contraction and NAD(P)H oxidase activation. CONCLUSION: In arteries from WKY, c-Src mediates H2O2 contractile responses by modulating TXA2 release and TXA2 effect. In SHR, H2O2 induces c-Src dependent TXA2 release that provokes vascular contractile responses through Rho kinase, c-Src and O2 from NAD(P)H Oxidase and mitochondria. Moreover, ERK1/2 activation contributes to H2O2 contraction in SHR through effects on mitochondria/NAD(P)H Oxidase

SHARDS: Constraints on the dust attenuation law of star-forming galaxies at z~2

We make use of SHARDS, an ultra-deep (<26.5AB) galaxy survey that provides optical photo-spectra at resolution R~50, via medium band filters (FWHM~150A). This dataset is combined with ancillary optical and NIR fluxes to constrain the dust attenuation law in the rest-frame NUV region of star-forming galaxies within the redshift window 1.5<z<3. We focus on the NUV bump strength (B) and the total-to-selective extinction ratio (Rv), targeting a sample of 1,753 galaxies. By comparing the data with a set of population synthesis models coupled to a parametric dust attenuation law, we constrain Rv and B, as well as the colour excess, E(B-V). We find a correlation between Rv and B, that can be interpreted either as a result of the grain size distribution, or a variation of the dust geometry among galaxies. According to the former, small dust grains are associated with a stronger NUV bump. The latter would lead to a range of clumpiness in the distribution of dust within the interstellar medium of star-forming galaxies. The observed wide range of NUV bump strengths can lead to a systematic in the interpretation of the UV slope ($\beta$) typically used to characterize the dust content. In this study we quantify these variations, concluding that the effects are $\Delta\beta$~0.4.Comment: 13 pages, 11+2 figures, 3 tables. MNRAS, in pres

2D-cadmium MOF and gismondine-like zinc coordination network based on the N-(2-tetrazolethyl)-4′-glycine linker

We have designed and synthesized two new metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) using the novel N-(2-tetrazolethyl)-4′-glycine spacer (TeGly)2−. These materials exhibit intense photoluminescence.This work was supported by the MEC of Spain (Project CTQ2011-24478) and the Junta de Andalucía (FQM-1484). D. F.-J. thanks the Royal Society for a University Research Fellowship.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5NJ00011