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Controlling magnetism and transport at perovskite cobaltite interfaces via strain-tuned oxygen vacancy ordering
No full textComplex oxides such as perovskite cobaltites exhibit rich phenomena at interfaces due to the complex interplay between their structural, defect, electronic, and magnetic degrees of freedom. We study this interplay here in the ferromagnetic metallic cobaltite La1-xSrxCoO3-δ, using specific substrates to vary both the heteroepitaxial strain (compressive vs tensile) and growth orientation ((001) vs (110)). Transmission electron microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, polarized neutron reflectometry, and electronic magnetotransport measurements are applied. Lattice mismatch and growth orientation are found to enable the precise control of interfacial oxygen vacancy ordering in La1-xSrxCoO3-δ, thus dictating strain relaxation and oxygen vacancy depth profiles, in turn controlling thickness-dependent magnetic and electronic properties. In particular, compressive strain and (110) orientations minimize deleterious magnetic/electronic dead layer effects, leading to the optimization of interfacial magnetism and transport. Strain and orientation tuning of oxygen vacancy ordering are thus established as powerful means to control physical properties at cobaltite-based interfaces, relevant to several fields.This work was primarily supported by the US Department of Energy through the University of Minnesota (UMN) Center for Quantum Materials, under Grant No. DE-SC0016371. Parts of this work were conducted in the UMN Characterization Facility, which is partially supported by the National Science Foundation through the MRSEC program under DMR-2011401. STEM-EELS measurements were carried out in the former STEM group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. Work at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was supported by Basic Energy Sciences, US Department of Energy, under grant DE FG03-87ER-45332. LANL is operated by LANL LLC under DOE Contract DE-AC52-06NA25396. This research also used resources at the Spallation Neutron Source, a Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility operated by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Work at nanoGUNE was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence Program (Grant No. CEX2020-001038-M) and Project No. PID2021-123943NB-I00 (OPTOMETAMAG). UMN authors acknowledge productive discussions with Javier Garcia Barriocanal.With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2023-001263-S).Peer reviewe
What we owe the present: a physicist issues an urgent call to deflate the world-shaping power of tech billionaires
No full textReview: Becker, Adam. More Everything Forever:AI Overlords, SpaceEmpires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity. Basic Books, 2025. -- 384 pp.More Everything Forever—the title of astrophysicist Adam Becker’s new book—is a perfect encapsulation of the sinister ideology that has come to possess the heart of Silicon Valley. Determined to control the future of our species, tech oligarchs posture to create a posthuman race. Even if they are bluffing, Becker argues that their ideas, as the book’s publisher puts it, “pervert public discourse and distract us from real social problems.” But only if we allow them to.Peer reviewe
Micro-Bioplastic Impact on Gut Microbiome, Cephalic transcription and Cognitive Function in the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna
No full textThe role of the gut microbiome-brain axis on contaminant effects in invertebrates is limited by our poor knowledge of gut microbiome neurological regulatory pathways. This study investigates the influence of microplastics on the gut microbiome composition and assess subsequent alterations in the cephalic transcriptome, feeding patterns, and overall behaviour of the organism. D. magna individuals were exposed to low and high levels of bioplastic particles and kaolin natural particles and under starving conditions. Feeding and behavioral effects were assessed using previously well-established assays. Changes in gut microbiome composition, cephalic transcription and their functional interpretation were studied by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and cephalic D magna RNA high-throughput sequencing, respectively, and using appropriate bioinformatic pipelines. Only exposures to high concentrations of bioplastic microparticles inhibited feeding and impacted behavioural responses in D. magna, resembling effects observed under starvation. Microbiome analysis revealed shifts in taxonomic composition and functional profiles across the tested microplastic concentrations, which become more notable at higher ones. Functional changes in the gut microbiome indicated that bioplastics at high concentrations altered to a greater extent short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis and tryptophan and L-glutamate metabolism pathways than at low concentrations. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that microplastics up-regulated neurological pathways, cell turnover, and differentiation. In summary exposure to microplastics resulted in gut dysbiosis and increased biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acid signalling pathways in the gut, altered neurological pathways in the cephalic transcriptome and disrupted behavioural responses, altogether supporting the role of the microbiota-gut-brain crosstalk on neurological disorders.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN) through projects CogniTox (PID2020-113371RB-C21) and MIQAS (PID2021-128084OB-I00). Maria Paula Carrillo was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Universities fellowship FPU20/03595.Peer reviewe
Monitoring approach to detect recent exposure to thiamethoxam-treated seeds in birds
No full textThiamethoxam (TMX) is a neonicotinoid insecticide that is widely used for seed treatment in a variety of crops. Farmland birds can be exposed to TMX by consuming treated seeds remaining on the soil surface due to either spills or failed implantation during sowing. In the environment, TMX can be metabolized into clothianidin (CLO), another neonicotinoid insecticide that is also toxic to birds. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a non-invasive approach consisting in the analysis of fecal samples to detect recent exposure of wild birds to TMX and CLO. To achieve this, 16 grayish baywings (Agelaioides badius) were exposed for 21 days to seeds coated with four different concentrations of TMX: 0 (control), 0.027 (low), 0.33 (medium), and 4.3 (high) g TMX/kg of seed. These concentrations are within the approved range for seed coating with TMX in typical crops of the Pampa Region in Argentina, where baywings are common. Seed consumption was monitored over 24 h and fecal samples were collected on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 21 of exposure. Finally, concentrations TMX and CLO were determined in collected feces through LC-MS/MS. Fecal concentrations of both TMX and CLO showed a significant dependence on the treatment dose (p = 0.006). Average concentrations of TMX and CLO were respectively 63, 689, and 2363 ng/g and 75, 735 and 2040 ng/g for low, medium and high dose groups. These results demonstrate that fecal analysis is a reliable non-invasive method for assessing recent bird exposure to TMX. The results also confirm that TMX is metabolized into CLO, and suggest a saturation of the metabolic pathway at high doses. This study supports the use of fecal analysis for pesticide exposure estimation in field monitoring studies of wild birds.This work was made possible by the pre-doctoral stay grant funded by the Banco Santander Ibero-America Research Scholarships for the 2020–2021 call. Funding for this work was provided by the “Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica” (PICT-2021-0473) and the “Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria” (2023-PD-L03-I094). The first author acknowledges economic support from project BIOD22_00033_17_PPCB during the final revision stage of the manuscript.Peer reviewe
Contaminants in fish and seafood from the marine environment: A global overview of current status and future perspective
No full textThe contamination of marine environments by chemical pollutants poses a significant threat to both ecosystem health and human food safety, affecting marine One Health by disrupting the interconnected well-being of organisms, ecosystems, and humans. A diverse array of contaminants including metals, persistent organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, among others, can accumulate in fish and seafood, raising concerns over dietary exposure. While regulations like the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) establish limits for certain contaminants, many emerging pollutants remain unregulated, and their long-term impacts are poorly understood. This review compiles global data from 2018 to 2024 on the occurrence of both regulated and unregulated contaminants in fishery products across different FAO zones. It provides an overview of contamination levels in various species, regional trends, and potential human health risks. Our findings highlight the widespread presence of plastic additive chemicals (e.g., phthalates, bisphenols), legacy contaminants (e.g., PCBs, pesticides, mercury), and advancement in PFAS monitoring, though still underreported in several regions together with other emerging contaminants including personal care products and industrial chemicals. Arsenic frequently appeared at higher concentrations than other regulated metals. Contaminant profiles varied by tissue type and species group. These findings emphasize the need for harmonized environmental regulations and expanded monitoring efforts. Future research should focus on cumulative exposure risks, mixture toxicity assessments, and the development of standardized methodologies for broader range of contaminants. Strengthening these practices is critical to safeguarding marine biodiversity and ensuring seafood safety for global consumers.This research was funded by the European Union – NextGeneration EU – as part of the MITECO program for the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Recovery and Resilience Facility of the European Union established by the Regulation (EU) 2020/2094), and was entrusted to CSIC, AZTI, SOCIB, and the universities of Vigo and Cadiz. The study was also funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Consolidated Research Group 2021 SGR01150).Peer reviewe
Energía y poder: imaginarios energéticos entre el New Deal y la emergencia climática
No full textPeer reviewe
Relationship between sainfoin proanthocyanidins and in vitro fermentation depending on time of harvest and leve lof inclusión in the diet
No full text13 páginas, 5 tablas, 3 figurasThe aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of active proanthocyanidins (PAC) from sainfoin, either fresh or dehydrated included in the finishing concentrate of lambs, on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters, by including polyethylene glycol to block PAC. Total gas and methane productions, ammonia (NH3-N), and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were analyzed in fresh and in dehydrated sainfoin included in concentrates for finishing lambs at different rates (0 %, 20 % and 40 %), and ruminal biohydrogenation (BH) only in the latter. Under the conditions of the present in vitro study, active PAC from fresh and dehydrated sainfoin reduced the production of gas and methane (P 0.05). The presence of active PAC reduced NH3-N content in fresh sainfoin (P < 0.01), whereas the lower PAC contents in concentrates including dehydrated sainfoin only elicited a tendency (P = 0.06). The presence of sainfoin PAC in the concentrate decreased the BH extent and promoted the trans-11 BH pathway (P < 0.05). The inclusion of sainfoin in the diet of lambs produced a nonlinear effect concerning gas production, with a decrease only when dehydrated sainfoin was included in the concentrate at 20 %. In contrast, a reduction in methane production was only obtained with a 40 % sainfoin addition. The inclusion of dehydrated sainfoin in the concentrate decreased the ruminal percentage of branched-chain fatty acids (FA; P < 0.01) and increased most of the trans-monounsaturated FA, C18:3 n-3, and BH intermediates (P < 0.05).This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under Grant RTA2017–00008-C02–01; the
Government of Aragon by the Grant Research Group Funds (Group A25_23R); and the AEI by the pre–doctoral grant PRE2018–086670.Appreciation is expressed to the technical staff of CITA–Aragon ´ Animal Science department for their help in data collection. Special
thanks to the staff of the Laboratory of Nutritive Value, M. A. Legua and A. Domínguez for helping with the laboratory analysis and to
Servicio General de Apoyo a la Investigacion´ –SAI, Universidad de Zaragoza, for freeze–drying the samples.Peer reviewe
Fine carbonated construction and demolition wastes as eco-efficient materials in cement matrices
No full textPaper presented at the 5º Congresso Luso-Brasileiro de Materiais de Construção Sustentáveis | Congresso Construção 2024, held in Lisbon, Portugal (November 6–8, 2024). Included in the proceedings volume: Livro de Atas. 5.º Congresso Luso-Brasileiro de Materiais de Construção Sustentáveis. Congresso Construção 2024Currently, alkaline wastes are receiving special attention as CO2 sinks prior to their use as supplementary cementitious materials as their mineralisation produces mineralogical changes that affect their subsequent behaviour. This work reports the research carried out on the accelerated carbonation, using a HECO® reactor adapted to pilot scale, of the fine fraction of concrete (<4 mm) deposited in a construction and demolition waste (CDW-C) management plant. For this purpose, the chemical, physical and mineralogical characterisation after carbonation is analysed and compared with the same waste without carbonation. The results obtained indicate that the carbonated construction and demolition waste (CCDW) shows a higher surface area and a higher pozzolanic reactivity, with respect to non-carbonated. The cement pastes with 7 and 20% substitutions do not show significant changes in physical properties (normal consistency water, initial setting time and soundness). However, the mechanical strength of carbonated wastes is improved compared to their equivalents non-carbonated. In all cases, the blended cements comply with the physical and mechanical requirements according to EN 197-1.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN), the Spanish
National Research Agency (AEI) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Ref.: PID2021-
122390OB-C21 (CIDECAR) and also to the funding of the pre-doctoral contract referenced as PRE2022-
105386.Peer reviewe
CSIC Cicerón 13.2 Beneficios de la ganadería extensiva tradicional. Daniel Oro de Rivas
No full textDatos técnicos: 4 minutos, color, español. Ficha técnica: Gabinete de Presidencia CSIC y Departamento de Comunicación.Peer reviewe
CSIC Cicerón 13.6 Costa dinámica, ¿sociedad en movimiento? Jordi Pagès Fauria
No full textDatos técnicos: 4 minutos, color, español. Ficha técnica: Gabinete de Presidencia CSIC y Departamento de Comunicación.Peer reviewe