Atomic scale structure of amorphous aluminum oxyhydroxide, oxide and oxycarbide films probed by very high field 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance

The atomic scale structure of aluminum in amorphous alumina films processed by direct liquid injection chemical vapor deposition from aluminum tri-isopropoxide (ATI) and dimethyl isopropoxide (DMAI) is investigated by solid-state 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) using a very high magnetic field of 20.0 T. This study is performed as a function of the deposition temperature in the range 300–560 °C, 150–450 °C, and 500–700 °C, for the films processed from ATI, DMAI (+H2O), and DMAI (+O2), respectively. While the majority of the films are composed of stoichiometric aluminum oxide, other samples are partially or fully hydroxylated at low temperature, or contain carbidic carbon when processed from DMAI above 500 °C. The quantitative analysis of the SSNMR experiments reveals that the local structure of these films is built from AlO4, AlO5, AlO6 and Al(O,C)4 units with minor proportions of the 6-fold aluminum coordination and significant amounts of oxycarbides in the films processed from DMAI (+O2). The aluminum coordination distribution as well as the chemical shift distribution indicate that the films processed from DMAI present a higher degree of structural disorder compared to the films processed from ATI. Hydroxylation leads to an increase of the 6-fold coordination resulting from the trend of OH groups to integrate into AlO6 units. The evidence of an additional environment in films processed from DMAI (+O2) by 27Al SSNMR and first-principle NMR calculations on Al4C3 and Al4O4C crystal structures supports that carbon is located in Al(O,C)4 units. The concentration of this coordination environment strongly increases with increasing process temperature from 600 to 700 °C favoring a highly disordered structure and preventing from crystallizing into γ-alumina. The obtained results are a valuable guide to the selection of process conditions for the CVD of amorphous alumina films with regard to targeted applications

¿Comentario filosófico de textos o comentario de textos filosóficos?

Clásicamente el comentario de textos ha sido un elemento en la formación académica filosófica y su dominio, un requisito para el acceso a la docencia. Sorprendentemente, esta técnica de aprendizaje disfruta actualmente de una privilegiada actualidad, ya que resulta metodología clave en los cambios curriculares de la Filosofía en la enseñanza preuniversitaria. No sería necesario recordar cómo anteriores intentos de sustituir el programa oficial ya habían considerado la conveniencia de incluir lecturas de filósofos en la perspectiva del comentario de textos. Estos intentos, sin embargo, no alcanzaron sus objetivos por un conjunto de razones, como por ejemplo las inercias del sistema (entre las cuales no es despreciable la presencia final de una prueba de selectividad), los obstáculos de la propia estructura educativa e, incluso, la falta de actualización en las innovaciones metodológicas propuestas. Aunque no consideramos que esta última sea la razón fundamental de la triste presencia curricular de la Filosofía, como profesores entendemos que nuestra aportación radica actualmente en fundamentar y documentar un debate, la marginación del cual no haría más que agravar la situación comentada. Aunque las posiciones teóricas en la Didáctica de la Filosofía alemana son muy variadas, por lo que respecta a comentario de textos resultan especialmente significativas aquellas que podríamos denominar orientación dialógico-pragmática y paidológica. La orientacion dialógico-pragmática, de la cual veremos más adelante las aportaciones de Ekkehard Martens, Klaus Langebeck, Gisela Raupach-Strey y Ute Siebert, propone lo que a efectos expositivos denominaremos 'comentario filosófico de textos'. Por el contrario, Wulff D. Rehfus, Helmut Conrads, Michael Müller y Johannes Rohbeck abogan, en una orientación paidológica, por el 'comentario de textos filosóficos'

Cicero reloaded: a mixed reality tool for enhancing memorization with the Ciceronian Loci Method

LAUREA MAGISTRALEIl Metodo dei Loci Ciceroniani, una potente tecnica mnemonica dalle antiche origini, è stato raramente trasposto in ambito digitale e non ha ancora sfruttato appieno il potenziale delle tecnologie immersive. Sebbene esistano alcune applicazioni rudimentali in realtà virtuale (VR) e in realtà aumentata (AR), nessuna fa uso della realtà mista (MR). Questa tesi affronta tali lacune presentando la progettazione, lo sviluppo e la validazione di una nuova applicazione MR che rinnova il concetto di palazzo della memoria per un utilizzo educativo contemporaneo. La MR offre un vantaggio fondamentale rispetto a VR e AR: conserva il mondo reale (in linea con lo spirito originario della tecnica) permettendo al contempo la fusione di contenuti digitali con elementi reali. Il nostro approccio consente un’elevata personalizzazione grazie al caricamento di contenuti personalizzati, garantisce la persistenza dei palazzi della memoria attraverso l’uso di ancore spaziali, permette agli utenti di muoversi liberamente nel proprio spazio e di interagire fisicamente con i contenuti virtuali. Per aumentare il coinvolgimento, l’applicazione integra elementi di gamification e funzionalità di condivisione, favorendo scenari di apprendimento collaborativi e competitivi. L’usabilità e l’utilità percepita dell’applicazione sono state valutate attraverso un processo di validazione in due fasi che ha coinvolto 40 partecipanti. I risultati mostrano un’accoglienza molto positiva, con un eccellente punteggio in termini di facilità d’uso (4,45/5) e l’approvazione unanime da parte dei tester. In particolare, nonostante la grande maggioranza non conoscesse la tecnica, con il 60% dei partecipanti che non ne aveva mai sentito parlare e solo il 7,5% che l’aveva mai utilizzata, è emersa una buona disponibilità ad adottare lo strumento (3,88/5). Il feedback qualitativo raccolto da un focus group ha ulteriormente confermato il valore percepito dell’applicazione. Questa tesi intende dimostrare che la MR è un potente mezzo per l’applicazione pratica e la diffusione del Metodo dei Loci, reinterpretando questa antica tecnica attraverso le lenti della tecnologia immersiva per gli studenti di oggi.The Ciceronian Loci Method, a powerful mnemonic technique with ancient origins, has seen limited digital adaptation and has yet to fully exploit the potential of immersive technologies. While some rudimentary applications exist in VR and AR, none make use of Mixed Reality (MR). This thesis addresses these gaps by presenting the design, development, and validation of a novel MR application that revitalizes the memory palace concept for contemporary educational use. MR offers a key advantage over VR and AR: it preserves the real world (in keeping with the original spirit of the technique) while allowing digital content to merge with real-world elements. Our approach empowers users with deep personalization through custom content uploading, ensures persistence of memory palaces via spatial anchors, enables users to freely move and physically interact with virtual content within their space. To enhance engagement, the application integrates gamification and sharing features, allowing for collaborative and competitive learning scenarios. The application’s usability and perceived usefulness were evaluated through a tworound validation process with 40 participants. The results show very positive reception, with an excellent ease-of-use score (4.45/5) and unanimous approval from the testers. Notably, despite the vast majority being unfamiliar with the technique, with 60% having never heard of it and only 7.5% having ever used it, there was a good willingness to adopt the tool (3.88/5). Qualitative feedback from a focus group further confirmed the application’s perceived value. This thesis aims to demonstrate that MR is a potent medium for the practical application and diffusion of the Method of Loci, re-imagining this ancient technique through the lens of immersive technology for today’s learners

A multifunctional phosphite-containing electrolyte for 5 V-class LiNi 0.5Mn1.5O4 cathodes with superior electrochemical performance

We report a highly promising organophosphorus compound with an organic substituent, tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSP), to improve the electrochemical performance of 5 V-class LiNi0.5Mn 1.5O4 cathode materials. Our investigation reveals that TMSP alleviates the decomposition of LiPF6 by hydrolysis, effectively eliminates HF promoting Mn/Ni dissolution from the cathode, and forms a protective layer on the cathode surface against severe electrolyte decomposition at high voltages. Remarkable improvements in the cycling stability and rate capability of high voltage cathodes were achieved in the TMSP-containing electrolyte. After 100 cycles at 60 ??C, the discharge capacity retention was 73% in the baseline electrolyte, whereas the TMSP-added electrolyte maintained 90% of its initial discharge capacity. In addition, the LiNi 0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode with TMSP delivers a superior discharge capacity of 105 mA h g-1 at a high rate of 3 C and an excellent capacity retention of 81% with a high coulombic efficiency of over 99.6% is exhibited for a graphite/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O 4 full cell after 100 cycles at 30 ??C.close8

Amorphous Alumina Barrier Coatings on Glass: MOCVD Process and Hydrothermal Ageing

Amorphous alumina coatings are applied on the inner surface of glass containers aiming at improving their hydrothermal ageing barrier properties. A direct liquid injection technology is implemented in a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process to feed the reactor in a controlled and reproducible way with a solution of aluminum tri-isopropoxide (ATI) in anhydrous cyclohexane. Amorphous alumina coatings are characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scratch-test method. They are amorphous and hydroxylated at process temperatures between 360 and 420 °C and close to Al 2 O 3 stoichiometry between 490 and 560 °C. Hydrothermal ageing simulated by a standard sterilization cycle results in the increase of the root mean square of the surface of the coatings from ≈17 to 61 nm and in the increase of the porosity without affecting the adhesion of the coatings on the glass substrates

Conexión de la ruta de proteinquinasa C con la respuesta a estrés genotóxico

El mantenimiento de la integridad genómica es un aspecto crucial para la supervivencia celular. El checkpoint de integridad del DNA es el mecanismo de vigilancia encargado de detectar la presencia de daño en el DNA y poner en marcha una respuesta celular para mantener la estabilidad genómica. Los componentes centrales del checkpoint son las quinasas sensoras ATM y ATR (Tel1 y Mec1 en S. cerevisiae) y CHK1 Y CHK2 (Chk1 y Rad53 en levadura). La correcta activación del checkpoint depende de la actividad de proteína quinasa C (PKC), tanto en células de levadura como de mamíferos. En este trabajo se ha profundizado en la relación entre PKC y la maquinaria del checkpoint de integridad del DNA, así como en la regulación de la propia PKC en condiciones de estrés genotóxico. Se han caracterizado los determinantes estructurales de Pkc1 de levadura y las isoformas de mamíferos PKCδ y PKCθ que les permiten llevar a cabo su función en la activación de la respuesta a daño en el DNA. Asimismo, se ha visto que existe una regulación espacial de Pkc1, PKCδ y PKCθ en respuesta a estrés genotóxico y que se produce una acumulación nuclear tras la inducción de daño en el DNA. Por otra parte, se ha abordado la identificación de mediadores de PKC en su función en la activación del checkpoint de integridad del DNA, concluyendo que en ausencia de Pkc1 se produce una ineficiente activación de Mec1 que afectaría a la activación de Rad53, comprometiendo la respuesta mediada por el checkpoint de integridad del DNA.The maintenance of genomic integrity is a crucial aspect for cell survival. The DNA integrity checkpoint is the surveillance mechanism responsible for detecting the presence of DNA damage and launching a cellular response to maintain genomic stability. The central components of the checkpoint are the ATM and ATR sensor kinases (Tel1 and Mec1 in S. cerevisiae) and CHK1 and CHK2 (Chk1 and Rad53 in yeast). The correct activation of the checkpoint depends on the activity of protein kinase C (PKC), both in yeast and mammalian cells. In this work, the relationship between PKC and the DNA integrity checkpoint machinery has been deepened, as well as the regulation of PKC itself in conditions of genotoxic stress. The structural determinants of yeast Pkc1 and the mammalian PKCδ and PKCθ isoforms that allow them to carry out their function in the activation of the response to DNA damage have been characterized. Likewise, it has been seen that there is a spatial regulation of Pkc1, PKCδ and PKCθ in response to genotoxic stress and that a nuclear accumulation occurs after the induction of DNA damage. On the other hand, the identification of PKC mediators in their function in the activation of the DNA integrity checkpoint has been addressed, concluding that in the absence of Pkc1 there is an inefficient activation of Mec1 that would affect the activation of Rad53, compromising the response mediated by the DNA integrity checkpoint

Navegación autónoma mediante raspberry PI y la plataforma OpenCV

[ES] Se utilizan la librería OpenCV y el lenguaje Python para desarrollar distintos algoritmos de guiado sobre un robot móvil autónomo de fabricación propia, que incluye una cámara conectada a una Raspberry PI. Dichos algoritmos tienen como objetivo resolver cinco pruebas mediante la extracción de parámetros de guiado a partir del procesamiento de la realimentación visual que ofrece la cámara, así como usar estos parámetros para controlar el robot. Cada una de las pruebas se acompaña con una demostración de los resultados en forma de vídeo.[CA] S’utilitzen la llibrería OpenCV i el llenguatge Python per a desenvolupar diferents algoritmes de guiat sobre un robot mòbil autònom de fabricació pròpia, que inclou una càmera connectada a una Raspberry PI. Aquests algoritmes tenen com a objetiu resoldre cinc proves mitjançant la extracció de paràmetres de guiat a partir del procesament de la realimentació visual que ofereix la càmera, així com utilitzar aquestos paràmetres per a controlar el robot. Cadascuna de les proves s’acompanya amb una demostració dels resultats en forma de vídeo.[EN] We use the OpenCV library and the Python language in order to develop different guiding algorithms on a mobile autonomous own-manufactured robot, which includes a camera connected to a Raspberry PI. The purpose of these algorithms is to solve five challenges through the extraction of guiding parameters from the analysis of the visual feedback offered by the camera, as well as use these parameters to control the robot. The results of each of the challenges are accompanied by a vídeo demo.Fuster Baggetto, A. (2017). Navegación autónoma mediante raspberry PI y la plataforma OpenCV. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/86313.TFG

Fumarate Analogs Act as Allosteric Inhibitors of the Human Mitochondrial NAD(P)+-Dependent Malic Enzyme

Human mitochondrial NAD(P)+-dependent malic enzyme (m-NAD(P)-ME) is allosterically activated by the four-carbon trans dicarboxylic acid, fumarate. Previous studies have suggested that the dicarboxylic acid in a trans conformation around the carbon-carbon double bond is required for the allosteric activation of the enzyme. In this paper, the allosteric effects of fumarate analogs on m-NAD(P)-ME are investigated. Two fumarate-insensitive mutants, m-NAD(P)-ME_R67A/R91A and m-NAD(P)-ME_K57S/E59N/K73E/D102S, as well as c-NADP-ME, were used as the negative controls. Among these analogs, mesaconate, trans-aconitate, monomethyl fumarate and monoethyl fumarate were allosteric activators of the enzyme, while oxaloacetate, diethyl oxalacetate, and dimethyl fumarate were found to be allosteric inhibitors of human m-NAD(P)-ME. The IC50 value for diethyl oxalacetate was approximately 2.5 mM. This paper suggests that the allosteric inhibitors may impede the conformational change from open form to closed form and therefore inhibit m-NAD(P)-ME enzyme activity

3D negative electrode stacks for integrated all-solid-state lithium-ion microbatteries

The deposition feasibility and electrochemical evaluation of highly structured negative electrode stacks for 3D-integrated batteries is demonstrated. The stacks comprise a TiN thin film, serving as both current collector and Li-barrier layer, covered by a polycrystalline Si (poly-Si) thin film as electrode material. In comparison with planar films, these poly-Si films present a storage capacity increase of about 5x for the highest pore aspect ratio electrodes. The step coverage of poly-Si can be considerably improved by growing TiN and poly-Si into wide trenches. This results in much smoother poly-Si films and significantly improved step coverage. Further optimization of the trench dimensions should result in poly-Si films with a Li-storage capacity increase of more than one order of magnitude with respect to planar films