The Low Energy Limit of String Theory and its Compactifications with Background Fluxes

String theory is consistently defined in ten dimensions. In order to extract any information about four-dimensional physics, we need to understand the properties of the six-dimensional compact manifold orthogonal to our four-dimensional universe. A possibility that is being very much explored lately is to look at manifolds on which background fluxes are turned on. In this article, we present an introduction to string theory, focusing on its massless sector. We then review traditional compactifications to four–dimensions, and finally motivate and describe the so-called flux compactifications. We interpret the allowed six-dimensional manifolds from the point of view of generalized complex geometry.     

Mössbauer, X-ray diffraction and magnetization studies of Fe–Mn–Al–Nb alloys prepared by high energy ball milling

Fe₆₀Mn₁₀Al₂₀Nb₁₀, (Fe₆₀Mn₁₀Al₃₀)₉₅Nb₅ and (Fe₆₀Mn₁₀Al₃₀)₉₀Nb₁₀ ball milled powdered alloys were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectrometry, thermomagnetic (TGM) and magnetization measurements. We studied the influence of Nb content and of different milling times on the structural and magnetic properties. Two main features can be concluded: (1) the FeAlMn induces a BCC phase whatever the Nb content is, and (2) as both increasing Nb content and milling time give rise to an highly disordered state in conjunction with a decrease of the ferromagnetic behavior.     

A simple model for magnetic after-effects in magnetite at room temperature

Magnetic after-effects in vacancy-doped magnetite at room temperature are considered on the basis of a statistical thermodynamic treatment. In this paper we study the kinetics of a very small vacancy concentration distributed on the four non-equivalent octahedral sites of the inverse spinel structure. It is to be noted that satisfactory agreement is found between recent experimental results and the theoretical model.     

On conservative approximation by linear polynomial operators an extension of the Bernstein's operator

In this work we study linear polynomial operators preserving some consecutive i-convexities and leaving invariant the polynomials up to a certain degree. First, we study the existence of an incom patibility between the conservation of certain i-convexities and the invariance of a space of polynomials. Interpolation properties are obtained and a theorem by Berens and DeVore about the Bernstein's operator is extended. Finally, from these results a generalized Bernstein's operator is obtained. This work was supported by Junta de Andalucia. Grupo de investigación: Matemática Aplicada. Código: 1107     

New extraction method for the analysis of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in marine organisms. Pressurized liquid extraction versus Soxhlet extraction

A new method has been developed for the determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) from various marine organisms, and compared with Soxhlet extraction. The technique applied includes the use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for the extraction stage, preconcentration of the samples, purification by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analysis by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The spiked concentrations were added to the samples (wet mass of the organisms: Solea senegalensis and Ruditapes semidecussatus), which were homogenized and agitated continuously for 25 h. The samples were extracted by pressurized hot solvent extraction using two different extraction temperatures (100 and 150 degrees C) and by traditional Soxhlet extraction. The best recoveries were obtained employing pressurized hot solvent extraction at 100 degrees C and varied in the range from 66.1 to 101.3% with a standard deviation of between 2 and 13. Detection limit was between 5 and 15 microg kg(-1) wet mass using HPLC-fluorescence detection. The analytical method developed in this paper has been applied for LAS determination in samples from a Flow-through exposure system with the objective of measuring the bioconcentration of this surfactant.     

Synthesis and properties of perchlorobi-9-fluorenylidene,An exceptionally twisted ethylene

The synthesis and properties of perchlorobi-9-fluorenylidene, a highly twisted ethylene, are reported. It is a diamagnetic chlorocarbon.