Some Mathematical Reasoning on the Artificial Force Induced Reaction Method

There are works of the Maeda–Morokuma group, which propose the artificial force induced reaction (AFIR) method (Maeda et al., J. Comput. Chem. 2014, 35, 166 and 2018, 39, 233). We study this important method from a theoretical point of view. The understanding of the proposers does not use the barrier breakdown point of the AFIR parameter, which usually is half of the reaction path between the minimum and the transition state which is searched for. Based on a comparison with the theory of Newton trajectories, we could better understand the method. It allows us to follow along some reaction pathways from minimum to saddle point, or vice versa. We discuss some well-known two-dimensional test surfaces where we calculate full AFIR pathways. If one has special AFIR curves at hand, one can also study the behavior of the ansatz. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Processing plants for food: Experimental grinding within the ERC-project PLANTCULT

PlantCult Project aims to explore the role of culinary traditions and innovations through their impact on shaping the social landscape in ancient Europe over long time periods (from the Neolithic period to the Iron Age) and large territories. The experimental program is part of an integrated study of food products and associated equipment focusing on whether the introduction of new species or changes in social and economic organisation brought about changes in the food grinding technologies of the area. The experiments include tools operated by back and forth reciprocal motion and circular motion, and manufactured from different raw materials, with different morphologies and sizes. The tools design and the list of plant ingredients (cereals, legumes, acorns and oil-seeds) ground in the experiments are all based on the archaeological record of the studied area. In this paper we present the experimental protocol, the multi-scale methodology applied to the use-wear analysis of grinding stone tools, and the results of the experimental processing of the main plant ingredients detected in prehistoric European cuisine

Decision-making tool for enhancing the sustainable management of cultural institutions: Season content programming at Palau De La Musica Catalana

There has been an increasing relevance of the cultural sector in the economic and social development of different countries. However, this sector continues without much input from multi-criteria decision-making (MDCM) techniques and sustainability analysis, which are widely used in other sectors. This paper proposes an MCDM model to assess the sustainability of a musical institution’s program. To define the parameters of the proposed model, qualitative interviews with relevant representatives of Catalan cultural institutions and highly recognized professionals in the sector were performed. The content of the 2015–2016 season of the ‘Palau de la Música Catalana’, a relevant Catalan musical institution located in Barcelona, was used as a case study to empirically test the method. The method allows the calculation of a season value index (SVI), which serves to make more sustainable decisions on musical season programs according to the established criteria. The sensitivity analysis carried out for different scenarios shows the robustness of the method. The research suggests that more complex decision settings, such as MCDM methods that are widely used in other sectors, can be easily applied to the sustainable management of any type of cultural institution. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this method was never applied to a cultural institution and with real data.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Fluid balance in amateur female basketball players: follow-up of 10 games

Introducción: El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la evolución de las necesidades hídricas de un equipo de baloncesto femenino amateur, en situación de partido y durante toda una fase eliminatoria, a partir de la pérdida de peso experimentada. Además, se analizó la existencia de posibles diferencias en el nivel de deshidratación en función de la posición de juego. Material y Métodos: Estudio piloto de un solo grupo con mediciones antes de la competición y después de la competición. Jugadoras amateurs de baloncesto (n=10) y sus recipientes de rehidratación fueron pesadas antes y después de los 10 partidos analizados. Las variaciones de peso fueron evaluadas teniendo en cuenta el líquido ingerido de los bidones de reposición y el líquido evacuado a través de la orina. Resultados: Los resultados de este estudio sugieren la existencia de diferencias significativas entre el peso corporal antes y después de cada partido (z=8,551; p<,0005). La magnitud de estas diferencias parece ser muy distinta en función del partido y la jugadora analizada, con valores medios que oscilan entre los 0,63kg (0,9% Peso Corporal) y los 0,95kg (1,37% Peso Corporal) de pérdida de peso corporal. Además, no se observaron diferencias significativas en el nivel de deshidratación en función de la posición de juego (F=1,59; p=0,1929). Conclusiones: Se confirma la existencia de una alta variabilidad intra e interpersonal en cuanto a la pérdida de masa corporal durante los 10 partidos analizados, lo que sugiere la necesidad de una monitorización y rehidratación individualizada.Introduction: The aim of the present study was to understand the development of hydration needs during a playoff stint, in a match situation, for an amateur women’s basketball team. In addition, the existence of possible differences in the level of dehydration according to playing position was analyzed. Material and Methods: Pilot study with single group measurements before competition and after competition was done. Both amateur basketball players (n=10) and their personal water containers were weighted before and after every match. Weight variations were evaluated considering the ingested liquid and replenishment liquid discharged through urine. Results: Results showed that there are significant differences between body mass before and after each match (z=8.551; p<.0005). However, magnitude of dehydration was very different in each player and match, with average values between 0.63kg (0.9% body weight) and 0.95kg (1.37% body weight). In addition, there were not significant differences in the level of dehydration according to the playing position (F=1.59; p=0.1929). Conclusions: These evaluations confirm high intra and interpersonal variations as per body mass loss during the 10 referred playoff stint matches. Recommendation of creation of individualized hydration protocols is suggested