Herschel/HIFI observations of molecular emission in protoplanetary nebulae and young planetary nebulae

We performed Herschel/HIFI observations of intermediate-excitation molecular lines in the far-infrared/submillimeter range in a sample of ten protoplanetary nebulae and young planetary nebulae. The high spectral resolution provided by HIFI yields accurate measurements of the line profiles. The observation of these high-energy transitions allows an accurate study of the excitation conditions, particularly in the warm gas, which cannot be properly studied from the low-energy lines. We have detected FIR/sub-mm lines of several molecules, in particular of 12CO, 13CO, and H2O. Emission from other species, like NH3, OH, H2^{18}O, HCN, SiO, etc, has been also detected. Wide profiles showing sometimes spectacular line wings have been found. We have mainly studied the excitation properties of the high-velocity emission, which is known to come from fast bipolar outflows. From comparison with general theoretical predictions, we find that CRL 618 shows a particularly warm fast wind, with characteristic kinetic temperature Tk >~ 200 K. In contrast, the fast winds in OH 231.8+4.2 and NGC 6302 are cold, Tk ~ 30 K. Other nebulae, like CRL 2688, show intermediate temperatures, with characteristic values around 100 K. We also discuss how the complex structure of the nebulae can affect our estimates, considering two-component models. We argue that the differences in temperature in the different nebulae can be due to cooling after the gas acceleration (that is probably due to shocks); for instance, CRL 618 is a case of very recent acceleration, less than ~ 100 yr ago, while the fast gas in OH 231.8+4.2 was accelerated ~ 1000 yr ago. We also find indications that the densest gas tends to be cooler, which may be explained by the expected increase of the radiative cooling efficiency with the density.Comment: 24 pages, 31 figure

Optimal Control of Molecular Spin Qudits

We demonstrate, numerically, the possibility of manipulating the spin states of molecular nanomagnets with shaped microwave pulses designed with quantum optimal control theory techniques. The state-to-state or full gate transformations can be performed in this way in shorter times than using simple monochromatic resonant pulses. This enhancement in the operation rates can therefore mitigate the effect of decoherence. The optimization protocols and their potential for practical implementations are illustrated by simulations performed for a simple molecular cluster hosting a single Gd3+ ion. Its eight accessible levels (corresponding to a total spin S=7/2) allow encoding an eight-level qudit or a system of three coupled qubits. All necessary gates required for universal operation can be obtained with optimal pulses using the intrinsic couplings present in this system. The application of optimal control techniques can facilitate the implementation of quantum technologies based on molecular spin qudits

Methanogenesis at high temperature, high ionic strength and low pH in the volcanic area of Dallol, Ethiopia

The Dallol geothermal area originated as a result of seismic activity and the presence of a shallow underground volcano, both due to the divergence of two tectonic plates. In its ascent, hot water dissolves and drags away the subsurface salts. The temperature of the water that comes out of the chimneys is higher than 100C, with a pH close to zero and high mineral concentration. These factors make Dallol a polyextreme environment. So far, nanohaloarchaeas, present in the salts that form the walls of the chimneys, have been the only living beings reported in this extreme environment. Through the use of complementary techniques: culture in microcosms, methane stable isotope signature and hybridization with specific probes, the methanogenic activity in the Dallol area has been assessed. Methane production in microcosms, positive hybridization with the Methanosarcinales probe and the δC-values measured, show the existence of extensive methanogenic activity in the hydrogeothermic Dallol system. A methylotrophic pathway, carried out by Methanohalobium and Methanosarcina-like genera, could be the dominant pathway for methane production in this environment.Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), grant MDM-2017-0737 (Unidad de Excelencia “María de Maeztu”-Centro de Astrobiología INTA-CSIC) and the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN

Reputação corporativa: o desafio da análise

Although corporate reputation has been studied for several decades, its interest has intensified only from the 1990s onwards. With the growing market competitiveness firms need to take advantage of their full assets in order to add value to their customers, and the reputation is one of them. Accordingly, it was decided to review the literature that analyses reputation models and the influence of key stakeholders. Given the complexity of the issue, it was also decided to complement the analysis of models with a review of key variables / constructs that influence corporate reputation.Embora a reputação corporativa tem sido objeto de estudo desde há algumas décadas, só a partir dos anos 90 é que o interesse pela temática se intensificou. Com a competitividade de mercado as empresas precisam de todos os ativos que lhes possam acrescentar valor, sendo a reputação um deles. Assim, foi decidido fazer uma revisão à literatura que explana os modelos de avaliação da reputação e a influência dos principais stakeholders. Dada a complexidade do tema, foi igualmente decidido complementar a análise dos modelos com uma revisão das principais variáveis/constructos que se relacionam com a reputação corporativa

Efectos del entrenamiento de fuerza integrado dos veces por semana en jóvenes

La aptitud física es uno de los factores más importante para prevenir las enfermedades cardiovasculares La fuerza es uno de los componentes más influyentes sobre la aptitud física. Objetivo: Se estudió un grupo de 21 varones (V) y 11 mujeres (M) jóvenes, al cual se aplicó un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza integrado durante 7 semanas, con una frecuencia de 2 días semanales. Método: Se evaluó la fuerza máxima a través de una repetición máxima (1RM) en los ejercicios de press de banca (PB) y ¿ sentadilla (SEN). El entrenamiento consistió en aplicar intensidades del 45 al 90% y volúmenes de 10 a 18 repeticiones por ejercicio, saltos y pliometría. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas p< 0.01 pre y post entrenamiento, PB en V 57.9 + 7.2 vs 65 + 8.2 Kg; SEN en V 84.1 + 15.3 vs 101.1 + 16.1 Kg; PB en M 38.5 + 8.6 vs 47.4 + 6.7 Kg SEN en M 61.8 + 15.1 vs 80.3 + 13.7 Kg. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de dos veces a la semana con un programa de fuerza integrado, durante 7 semanas incrementa la fuerza en forma significativa en jóvenes sanos de ambos

Problemas de la evaluación de la Educación a Distancia. Análisis de Caso

La Educación a Distancia (EaD) permite que los individuos que no tienen acceso a Educación Superior a través de la modalidad presencial tradicional, puedan acceder a la misma sin tener que dejar sus compromisos laborales y familiares favoreciendo la capacitación permanente y la incorporación de los aprendizajes al contexto. La EaD y virtual surge como un modelo de educación inclusiva, que brinda acceso a personas que por su condición social, laboral o familiar no tienen las mismas oportunidades para estudiar en modelo de educación presencial. Sus principios filosóficos se sustentan en preservar y promover la equidad y la justicia social. La presente propuesta tiene por objetivo analizar las principales dificultades de esta modalidad al momento de su evaluación, la necesidad de crear modelos que respondan a garantizar la calidad, así como las estrategias de monitoreo de los cursos virtuales, que es uno de los componentes fundamentales al momento de evaluar la calidad de esta modalidad educativa. Finalmente, se presenta un caso de estudio, basado en una carrera corta denominada “Tecnicatura Superior en Programación”, que se dicta en el seno de la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (U.T.N), Facultad Regional Córdoba (F.R.C.)

Problemas de la evaluación de la Educación a Distancia. Análisis de Caso

La Educación a Distancia (EaD) permite que los individuos que no tienen acceso a Educación Superior a través de la modalidad presencial tradicional, puedan acceder a la misma sin tener que dejar sus compromisos laborales y familiares favoreciendo la capacitación permanente y la incorporación de los aprendizajes al contexto. La EaD y virtual surge como un modelo de educación inclusiva, que brinda acceso a personas que por su condición social, laboral o familiar no tienen las mismas oportunidades para estudiar en modelo de educación presencial. Sus principios filosóficos se sustentan en preservar y promover la equidad y la justicia social. La presente propuesta tiene por objetivo analizar las principales dificultades de esta modalidad al momento de su evaluación, la necesidad de crear modelos que respondan a garantizar la calidad, así como las estrategias de monitoreo de los cursos virtuales, que es uno de los componentes fundamentales al momento de evaluar la calidad de esta modalidad educativa. Finalmente, se presenta un caso de estudio, basado en una carrera corta denominada “Tecnicatura Superior en Programación”, que se dicta en el seno de la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (U.T.N), Facultad Regional Córdoba (F.R.C.)