Diffusion dynamics on multiplex networks

We study the time scales associated to diffusion processes that take place on multiplex networks, i.e. on a set of networks linked through interconnected layers. To this end, we propose the construction of a supra-Laplacian matrix, which consists of a dimensional lifting of the Laplacian matrix of each layer of the multiplex network. We use perturbative analysis to reveal analytically the structure of eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the complete network in terms of the spectral properties of the individual layers. The spectrum of the supra-Laplacian allows us to understand the physics of diffusion-like processes on top of multiplex networks.Comment: 6 Pages including supplemental material. To appear in Physical Review Letter

Malnutrition as cause and consequence of sensory distorsiones

La malnutrición es una enfermedad provocada por un exceso o defecto en el consumo o aprovechamiento de los nutrientes. Habitualmente, se utiliza este término para referirse a la desnutrición, es decir, a un trastorno derivado del déficit de algún macro y o micronutrientes. Las alteraciones quimiosensoriales pueden reducir de forma importante la alimentación en el individuo, por lo que es importante verificar que el aporte de nutrientes y, de forma concreta, de algunos micronutrientes, sea suficiente, ya que alguno de ellos, como el zinc, desempeñan un papel primordial en las alteraciones del gusto y del olfato. Además, el paciente malnutrido o con una alimentación que excluya gran número de alimentos, tiene mayor riesgo de presentar déficits de dichos micronutrientes. Diversas enfermedades, tanto agudas como crónicas, se asocian a alteraciones de la percepción sensorial, y pueden llegar a afectar a más del 50% de las personas mayores de 65 años. Los efectos provocados por los fármacos y algunos tratamientos como la quimioterapia y la radioterapia, juegan también un papel muy importante en la distorsión sensorial y en la incidencia de malnutriciónMalnutrition is a pathological condition caused by an excess or deficiency in the consumption or the use of the nutrients. Usually this term refers to a lack of adequate nourishment, a disorder resulting from a deficiency of some macro and/or micronutrients. Chemo-sensory alterations can significantly reduce food choice and intake, so it is very important to verify that the supply of nutrients and specifically of some micronutrients are sufficient. Some of them, such as “zinc”, play a very important role in alterations in the sense of taste and smell. In addition malnutrition patients or a poorly-balanced diet or faulty utilization of foods have increased the risk of deficiencies in these micronutrients. Several types of diseases, both acute and chronic ones, are associated with sensory perception and can affect more than 50% of people over 65 years old. The effects caused by drugs and some treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy play an important role in sensory distortion and the incidence of malnutritio

Evaluación de la toma de perspectiva en la esquizofrenia a través de la Teoría de los Marcos Relacionales: el papel de la introducción de ayudas contextuales

El presente estudio pretende evaluar la toma de perspectiva en personas con esquizofrenia a través de una tarea de respuesta relacional deíctica y un test de atribución de estados mentales. Participaron doce personas con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia y doce personas sin diagnóstico clínico. Los resultados revelaron la presencia de diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la ejecución de estas tareas. Los efectos de grupo permanecieron significativos tras examinar los posibles efectos del CI. La actuación en la tarea de respuesta relacional deíctica no permitió predecir de manera consistente la ejecución en la tarea de atribución de estados mentales en ambos grupos. Se discuten estos resultados, y se proponen líneas de estudio que supongan un avance hacia la conceptuación de la atribución de estados mentales en términos de la Teoría de los Marcos Relacionales (RFT).The present study aims to assess perspective taking in people with schizophrenia through a deictic relational response task and a test of mental state attribution. The sample was composed by twelve people diagnosed with schizophrenia and twelve people without clinical diagnosis. The results revealed the presence of statistically significant differences in the execution of these tasks. The effects of group remained significant after considering the possible effects of CI. The acting in the deictic relational response task did not allow consistently predict the performance in the task of mental state attribution in both groups. We discuss these results, and suggests lines of study that advance towards the conceptualization of mental state attribution in terms of Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

Considerations on the joint recovery of the monument and its environment: The town walls of albarracÍn (Spain)

The city walls of Albarracín (Teruel) show an exemplary trajectory of restoration and conservation works, thanks to a fifty year-long trajectory of interventions carried out by different architects. The last of these projects, promoted by the City Council and driven by Fundación Santa María de Albarracín, was drafted in 2019 and involved the restoration of the southern end of the wall. For the first time, this project has addressed the recovery of the monument and its surroundings in a joint effort that bets on a global vision for the city's public space system. The keys to this binomial are based on the following premises: a well-coordinated monument-environment relationship, the emphasis on a conservative approach to the restoration works, the promotion of public use and the dignification of the space in a coherent way with its context. The joint treatment of the building and its environment goes far beyond an aesthetic or functional issue - which may have been achieved through independent projects - and verifies the criteria adopted for both dimensions of the project: minimal intervention, distinguishability, preservation of the authenticity, reversibility, compatibility, character, readability and sustainability. In general, this approach reduces the risks of unilateral, partial or limiting visions ending in the loss of heritage value and embraces the understanding of the immediate environment as an inseparable extension of the monument itself

Factors influencing farmers’ adoption of ecological reconversion agri-environmental schemes in mountain olive groves

Mountain olive groves are characterized by low profitability, mainly due to their location in high steep-slope areas with poor, shallow soils. Consequently, they present a high risk of abandonment of the productive activity, which would be eventually associated with high potential environmental and socio-cultural losses. As an alternative, an ecological reconversion scheme is proposed to increase the provision of ecosystem services from this agroecosystem while reducing the socio-economic impacts related to the abandonment. Two alternative schemes are proposed, which differ in the possibility or not of harvesting the olive production. A double-bounded contingent valuation exercise is used in a sample of Andalusian mountain olive growers to assess their willingness to accept (WTA) for participating in these schemes, using a difference-in-utility model with a linear utility function with correlation between the participation choices in the two schemes as econometric specification. The results show high levels of mean WTA, higher for the scheme precluding harvesting, indicating that higher levels of payment are needed to get some acceptance from farmers. Results also show that structural (e.g., yield) and attitudinal factors (e.g., opinion about setting-aside low productivity olive groves for environmental reasons), among others, significantly influence farmers’ WTA for these schemes

Gas-liquid interfacial area in oxygen absorption into oil-in-water emulsions

Present work includes an exhaustive study about gas-liquid interfacial area between gas phase and liquid heterogeneous medium generated in an airlift bioreactor. The model system studied is composed by water, methyl ricinoleate and Tween 80, since it is the base of the medium used for the production of γ-decalactone through the biotransformation of ricinoleic acid, by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Experimental results allow describing the hydrodynamic behavior of the gas phase into the biphasic medium. In the oil-in-water system used, a decrease of the gas-liquid interfacial area with the oil concentration increase was found, due to the redistribution of surfactant between interface and bulk phases