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Ethical Sustainability in Organizational Decision-Making
No full textSustainable decision-making, which involves choosing alternatives that meet present needs without compromising the future, has gained significant importance in light of the increasing social and environmental concerns. This study introduces a novel framework that defines ethical sustainability in decision-making as making ethically sound and future-oriented choices grounded in realism and impartiality. These two key principles ensure that decisions are based on consideration of actual consequences and fair treatment of all affected stakeholders. The study's unique contribution lies in identifying four distinct decision-making styles: tactical altruism, emotional altruism, egoism, and ethical sustainability. While each style might appear ethical, the study argues that only decisions rooted in realism and impartiality can be considered sustainable. The study also presents a newly developed and validated measurement instrument to assess ethical sustainability in organizational decision-making, using survey data from 100 managers across sectors. The findings demonstrate satisfactory reliability and validity, revealing meaningful links between motivational drivers (intrinsic, extrinsic, and prosocial) and decision-making styles and their influence on organizational trust. As an exploratory study, this paper offers a unique framework for understanding the moral underpinnings of sustainable decision-making and lays the groundwork for future research and practical applications. We hope this contributes meaningfully to ongoing research in ethical leadership, corporate sustainability, and values-based organizational behavior
Disseny de nous materials orgànics per al control de propietats magnètiques amb camps elèctrics
No full textTreballs Finals de Grau de Química, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Any: 2026, Tutor: Jordi Ribas AriñoThe development of magnetoelectric materials, where magnetic and electric properties are coupled, has recently attracted significant attention due to their promising technological applications. This work explores the electric-field control of magnetic exchange interactions in fully organic diradicals composed of two stable radicals (trioxotriangulene radicals) connected by a dipolar linker, where the magnetoelectric response is tuned by modifying the linker dipole moment. Two new linkers, dicyanobenzene and dicyanoquinoxaline, are compared with a previously investigated reference system, a difluorobenzene-linked diradical, using density functional theory calculations. All molecular structures are obtained from DFT-based geometry optimizations employing the PBE0 exchange–correlation functional together with the 6-311G(d,p) basis set as implemented in the Gaussian09 package.
The results show that increasing the dipole moment enhances the coupling between the electric field and the molecule, leading to larger changes in the torsional angle θ and, consequently, in the exchange coupling J. Among the systems studied, the dicyanoquinoxaline-linked diradical exhibits the strongest response, particularly in the out-of-plane configuration, which provides smooth and stable magnetoelectric tuning.
These findings identify dicyanoquinoxaline as a promising linker for achieving efficient electric-field control of magnetism in organic systems
La transformación digital de los contratos de consumo en España
No full textLas páginas que siguen tienen por objeto explicar los cambios acaecidos en el Derecho español tras la transposición de las Directivas (UE) 2019/770 y 2019/771. La primera proporciona una regulación ex novo de los contratos sobre contenidos y suministros digitales. La segunda adapta el contrato de compraventa a los cambios que traen consigo los avances tecnológicos y el consumo sostenible. Ambas normas se han transpuesto en el Texto Refundido de la Ley General de Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios (TRLGDCU), mediante el RDLey 7/2021, de 27 de abril, con más desacierto que fortuna. Tal regulación rige solo parcialmente en Cataluña, donde ya existe normativa propia en su Código Civil
Assessing the HClO/Fe<sup>2+</sup> Fenton-like reaction for the degradation of metronidazole in a flow cell equipped with a Ti-Ru-Ir oxides anode
No full textThis work examines the electrochemical mineralization of metronidazole (MTZ) via the photoelectro-Fenton-like (PEF-like) process in a flow plant utilizing a filter-press electrolyzer with a Ti|Ti-Ru-Ir-oxides anode. The process uses the chloride ions contained in a dilute solution to form HClO through direct anodic oxidation on the Ti|Ti-Ru-Ir-oxides anode. Then, HClO reacts with ferrous ion (Fe2+) to yield ferryl-oxo species (FeIVO2+) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH), which are responsible for the mineralization of MTZ to CO2. The influence of the current density (j), as well as the initial Cl-, Fe2+, and MTZ concentrations was systematically examined to determine the best experimental conditions for MTZ degradation. A comparison of electro-oxidation aided with active chlorine (EO-HClO), electro-Fenton-like (EF-like), and PEF-like processes for the elimination of MTZ indicates the superiority of the latter one. The use of scavengers indicates that FeIVO2+ is the main oxidant (58 %), with minor contributions from •OH (13 %) and other routes, such as electro-oxidation and chlorination. Optimum PEF-like conditions for the complete degradation of 20 mg L-1 MTZ involved the use of 0.4 mM Fe2+ in a 35 mM NaCl+ 50 mM Na2SO4 electrolyte, at j = 16 mA cm-2 and u = 10 cm s-1, with an electrolytic energy consumption of 0.9 kWh (g TOC)-1. Up to 78 % of mineralization was attained, where the residual dissolved organic matter mainly consisted of oxalic acid and N-derivatives
Tracing the dynamics of motivational self-constructs across the lifespan: Tales from senior learners of English
No full textIn the context of an ageing and increasingly more independent learning population, a narrative inquiry into the life stories of motivated and still active senior language users remains a promising yet unexplored area. This case study forms part of a PhD research (Darnault, 2023) on the motivational dynamics of lifelong foreign language learning (FLL) individuals. We recorded the retrospective stories of 3 exceptionally motivated French senior learners of English, aged 65 to 80, from childhood to their current learning experience. Our triangulated and multimodal approach elicited written, oral and visual data. An inductive thematic analysis first highlighted the emergence of motivational peaks, subsequently followed by the examination of clusters of self-constructs within participants’ individual time frames in light of the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) framework. Results showed that upon retirement all three learners integrated language learning into their daily routine, incorporating it as an integral part of their identity and broader sense of self outside L2 domain-specific motivational constructs. A particularly unyielding hybrid L2 self emerged in later years, drawing from the combination of ought-to, ideal and anti-ought-to selves that prevailed with different degrees of intensity and interaction according to life periods
La digitalización de los contratos de crédito
No full textLa digitalización de los servicios financieros ha traído consigo nuevos actores, nuevos productos y nuevas formas de comercializarlos y la irrupción del big data ha propiciado la elaboración de perfiles y la explotación de datos no convencionales en la evaluación de la solvencia (OCDE, 2021). Las FinTech basan su negocio en la inteligencia artificial, pero esta también irrumpe en la banca tradicional que, sin embargo, todavía está lejos de reemplazar por completo la presencia humana por asistentes digitales. En todo caso, parte del proceso
de concesión de crédito ya está digitalizado, en particular en lo que se refiere a la publicidad e información online, cuando no completamente automatizado gracias al credit scoring interno o externo (STJUE C 634/21, Schufa, de 7 de diciembre de 2023). El legislador europeo ha ido adaptando la protección del consumidor a los retos de la digitalización en numerosas directivas y próximamente deberá hacer lo propio con la reforma de la Directiva 2014/17, de 4 de febrero de 2014, sobre créditos inmobiliarios (DCI), que está pendiente desde hace ya mucho tiempo (EU-RPA, 2020; ICF, 2022)
Acoblament entre Vibracions i Excitacions: Un Estudi de las Relacions entre l’Estat Fonamental i l’Estat Excitat en Óxids de Titani
No full textTreballs Finals de Grau de Química, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Any: 2026, Tutors: Ángel Morales García, Miguel Recio PooThis work studies a plausible relationship between ground-state properties and excited-state ones of photoactive hydrated titania nanoclusters. The goal is to understand the effect of the hydration degree on the structural and vibrational properties and excitation energies of a series of (TiO2)16(H2O)n (n = 0, 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6, 7 and 8) nanoclusters. This computational exploration involves classical molecular dynamics and time-dependent density functional theory calculations. The results reveal that hydration induces structural distortions reflected in the vibrational modes of the titania nanoclusters framework. These changes are introduced by hydroxyl groups derived from dissociative water interaction. The degree of hydration also influences the excited state properties, shifting the lowest excitation energies towards higher values. In addition, the temperature at which the dynamics are performed significantly affects both the vibrational modes and the evolution of the excited state energies with time. Overall, this study demonstrates that both hydration and temperature play decisive roles in defining excited-state transitions in titania nanoclusters. Shortly, by identifying the vibrational modes coupled to the first excitation energy, the present work provides insight into the interplay between structure, dynamics and electronic excitations in photoactive TiO2 nanosystems, offering valuable information for the rational design of efficient photocatalysts in aqueous environments
The Effect of Import Competition Across Occupations
No full textWe empirically examine the effect of import competition on worker earnings across occupations. To guide our analysis, we develop a stylized model that emphasizes industries using occupations in different intensities. We show that an occupational exposure index summarizes the overall exposure of an occupation to industry-level trade shocks. Proxying these industry-level trade shocks with rising Chinese competition and using nationally representative matched employer–employee French panel data from 1993 through 2015, we obtain evidence consistent with the predictions of the model. We find that workers initially employed in occupations highly exposed to Chinese competition – as measured by our occupational exposure index – experience larger declines in earnings. The magnitude of our estimates implies that the effect of rising Chinese competition on workers’ earnings due to differences in workers’ occupations is of comparable magnitude to the effect of workers’ sector of employment. This finding suggests that accounting for the distributional effects of trade across occupations is quantitatively important
Síntesi de LHOIPs amb metalls de transició divalents sostenibles per a aplicacions en emmagatzematge d’energia
No full textTreballs Finals de Grau de Química, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Any: 2026, Tutores: Inés Fernandez, Rebeca SalgadoAs discussed throughout this work, this research stems from the current complex global situation. We are in a context marked by a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. This factor, combined with constant population growth and industrial demand, makes the transition to renewable energy an environmental urgency. Consequently, there is a critical need for materials capable of storing energy efficiently.
This work is based on the synthesis of a series of hybrid perovskites using different divalent metals selected for this study. The structure of these perovskites consists of alternating inorganic layers between two hydrocarbon chains. These compounds are of particular interest because they exhibit a solid-solid phase change with high enthalpy values and minimal volume variations, which are essential characteristics for energy storage.
The primary objective is to identify the metal that provides the perovskite with the best properties for heat storage. Therefore, once the synthesis was completed to obtain crystals with the desired metals, the corresponding characterisation studies were carried out.
Following the analysis of the results, it was determined that the Zn samples show the highest enthalpy and specific heat values. This indicates a superior heat storage capacity and optimal thermal stability compared to the other metals studied. The Mn and Cu samples also showed very favourable results, although slightly lower than those of Zn.
In contrast, the Fe samples showed lower storage capacity and presented difficulties during the synthesis process. Finally, the Ni and Mg samples were completely discarded due to their low stability, structural disorder, and poor reproducibility of the experimental measurements. In conclusion, Zn stands out as the most suitable metal for producing perovskites aimed at thermal energy storage
Materials commutables supramoleculars multifuncionals
No full textTreballs Finals de Grau de Química, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Any: 2026, Tutor: David Aguilà AvilésThis work has explored the design, synthesis, and supramolecular assembly of Fe(II) coordination compounds with the aim of developing multifunctional materials combining spin-crossover (SCO) and photoactive properties. A sequential approach was employed, consisting of isolating first a SCO Fe(II) crystalline precursor and further adding a photoactive coligand. Three ligands were explored to synthesize the iron(II) complexes: a tridentate ligand H4L1 and two bidentate ligands H2L2 and H2L3. The ligand H4L1 was synthesised and fully characterised prior to its coordination to Fe(II).
All isolated SCO precursor Fe(II) complexes, regardless of the ligand employed, exhibit spin-crossover behaviour. Two Fe(II) supramolecular materials based on H4L1 were successfully crystallised and structurally characterised in the presence of two photoactive coligands: 4,4’-azopyridine and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene. However, upon formation of the corresponding cocrystals, these systems were found to stabilise exclusively the high-spin (HS) state, reflecting the rigid coordination environment imposed by the tridentate ligand and the supramolecular packing.
Additional photoactive coligands, including1,2-bis(2′-methyl-5′-(pyrid-4″-yl)thien-3′-yl)perfluorocyclopentene, 4-(phenylazo)benzoic acid and 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid, were also explored, although they did not form crystalline supramolecular materials suitable for structural characterisation. In parallel, Fe(II) complexes incorporating the bidentate ligands H2L2 and H2L3 were also explored. In these systems, three ligands are required to complete the octahedral coordination sphere, leading to a more flexible coordination environment that is expected to better accommodate SCO after the supramolecular organisation. These complexes, previously studied within the research group, were investigated for cocrystallization with photoactive ligands, despite the synthetic challenges encountered.
Finally, an alternative strategy based on the incorporation of the oxalate anion was explored in order to introduce an inorganic component with intrinsic magnetic properties, potentially acting as a single-molecule magnet