Total electron scattering cross sections from thiophene for the (1-300 eV) impact energy range

Experimental electron scattering cross sections for thiophene in the impact energy range from 1 to 300 eV have been measured with a magnetically confined electron transmission-beam apparatus. Random uncertainty limits have been estimated to be less than 5%, and systematic errors derived from acceptance angle limitations have also been identified and evaluated. Experimental values are compared with our previous low energy (1-15 eV) R-matrix and intermediate/high energy (15-300 eV) IAM-SCAR+I calculations finding reasonable agreement, within the combined uncertainty limits. Some of the low energy shape and core-excited resonances predicted by previous calculations are experimentally confirmed in this study

A language for real time simulation of processes with boolean inputs and outputs

This paper deals with the problem of real time simulation of processes with boolean inputs and outputs. A language for this purpose and the programs that processes it is presented. The language allows the description of processes with simultaneous evolutions as a timed petri net type of description is used. Random failures can also be Introduced in the behaviour of the model. The language allows the control of a semlgraphic CRT in order to facilitate the task of following the model behaviour

Indicators for Responsible Research and Innovation: A Methodological Proposal for Context-Based Weighting

[EN] In the last decade, the term Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has rapidly attracted the attention of policy-makers and researchers of Europe, mainly due to its promotion by the European Commission (EC). The concretion of this framework of RRI has been articulated by the EC around six key areas: governance, public engagement, gender equality, science education, open access, and open science and ethics. The indicators to measure these dimensions have been proposed recently. In our opinion the set of indicators available so far has two weaknesses: a lack of context-based indicators and a need for hierarchical ordering. Our aim is to provide tools for policy-and decision-makers that might need to identify the more important indicators in a specific context. In this work, we explored how the multicriteria analysis technique Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) can be used to prioritize indicators for RRI by involving experts in the specific context. The AHP method allowed weighting indicators according to experts in the different areas and producing four different options to select indicators. The method of AHP can be an appropriated instrument to select the most suitable indicators for RRI policies and initiatives.This research work was realized under the project "Propuesta de indicadores para impulsar el diseno de una politica orientada al desarrollo de Investigacion e Innovacion Responsable en Espana" (INPERRI). This project is funded by the Spanish National Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness (reference: CSO2016-76828-R). The funds received under this project covered the cost to publish in open access.Monsonís-Payá, I.; García-Melón, M.; Lozano, JF. (2017). Indicators for Responsible Research and Innovation: A Methodological Proposal for Context-Based Weighting. Sustainability. 9(12):1-29. https://doi.org/10.3390/su912216812991

Delineation of site‐specific management zones using estimation of distribution algorithms

In this paper, we present a novel methodology to solve the problem of delineating homogeneous site-specific management zones (SSMZ) in agricultural fields. This problem consists of dividing the field into small regions for which a specific rate of inputs is required. The objec- tive is to minimize the number of management zones, which must be homogeneous according to a specific soil property: physical or chem- ical. Furthermore, as opposed to oval zones, SSMZ with rectangular shapes are preferable since they are more practical for agricultural technologies. The methodology we propose is based on evolutionary computation, specifically on a class of the estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs). One of the strongest contributions of this study is the representation used to model the management zones, which gener- ates zones with orthogonal shapes, e.g., L or T shapes, and minimizes the number of zones required to delineate the field. The experimental results show that our method is efficient to solve real-field and ran- domly generated instances. The average improvement of our method consists in reducing the number of management zones in the agricul- tural fields concerning other operations research methods presented in the literature. The improvement depends on the size of the field and the level of homogeneity established for the resulting management zones.IT1244-19 TIN2016-78365-R PID2019-104966GB-I0

Noninvasive assessment of inspiratory muscle neuromechanical coupling during inspiratory threshold loading

Diaphragm neuromechanical coupling (NMC), which reflects the efficiency of conversion of neural activation to transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), is increasingly recognized to be a useful clinical index of diaphragm function and respiratory mechanics in neuromuscular weakness and cardiorespiratory disease. However, the current gold standard assessment of diaphragm NMC requires invasive measurements of Pdi and crural diaphragm electromyography (oesEMGdi), which complicates the measurement of diaphragm NMC in clinical practice. This is the first study to compare invasive measurements of diaphragm NMC (iNMC) using the relationship between Pdi and oesEMGdi, with noninvasive assessment of NMC (nNMC) using surface mechanomyography (sMMGlic) and electromyography (sEMGlic) of lower chest wall inspiratory muscles. Both invasive and noninvasive measurements were recorded in twelve healthy adult subjects during an inspiratory threshold loading protocol. A linear relationship between noninvasive sMMGlic and sEMGlic measurements was found, resulting in little change in nNMC with increasing inspiratory load. By contrast, a curvilinear relationship between invasive Pdi and oesEMGdi measurements was observed, such that there was a progressive increase in iNMC with increasing inspiratory threshold load. Progressive recruitment of lower ribcage muscles, serving to enhance the mechanical advantage of the diaphragm, may explain the more linear relationship between sMMGlic and sEMGlic (both representing lower intercostal plus costal diaphragm activity) than between Pdi and crural oesEMGdi. Noninvasive indices of NMC derived from sEMGlic and sMMGlic may prove to be useful indices of lower chest wall inspiratory muscle NMC, particularly in settings that do not have access to invasive measures of diaphragm function.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Influence of the Ni-Co/Al-Mg catalyst loading in the continuous aqueous phase reforming of the bio-oil aqueous fraction

The effect of catalyst loading in the Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) of bio-oil aqueous fraction has been studied with a Ni-Co/Al-Mg coprecipitated catalyst. Because of the high content of water in the bio-oil aqueous fraction, APR could be a useful process to convert this fraction into valuable products. Experiments of APR with continuous feeding of aqueous solution of acetol, butanol and acetic acid as the only compound, together with a simulated and a real aqueous fraction of bio-oil, were carried out. Liquid products in the liquid effluent of the APR model compounds were quantified and the reaction pathways were revised. The increase of catalyst loading produced an increase of gas production and a gas with higher alkanes content. Acetol was the compound with the highest reactivity while the conversion of acetic acid was very low. The presence of acetic acid in the feed caused catalyst deactivation

A step ahead on efficient microwave heating for kaolinite

[EN] The thermal evolution of kaolin clay under microwave radiation shows an unexpected large heating rate up to 500 degrees C/min for temperatures > 650 degrees C. Such heating rate is associated with a resistivity drop of > 10(3) Omega.m observed after the dehydroxylation process of the kaolin structure. The high efficiency of the microwave heating effect is correlated with the presence of surface carriers that absorbs microwaves electromagnetic field. The layered structure of the clay-based materials allows the appearance of charge carriers at the surface of the crystal lattice that is electromagnetically activated. This effect represents a breakthrough in the efficient use of microwaves energy in order to produce efficient thermal treatments in large volume of non-metallic minerals with a drastic reduction of the greenhouse gasses for mass production industries.The authors express their thanks to the project MAT-2017-86450-C4-1-R from the Spanis Goverment for the financial support.Reinosa, JJ.; García-Baños, B.; Catalá Civera, JM.; Fernández Lozano, JF. (2019). A step ahead on efficient microwave heating for kaolinite. Applied Clay Science. 168:237-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2018.11.001S23724316