Design Optimization of a Planar Spiral Inductor Using Space Mapping

This paper addresses the implementation of a computationally efficient optimization technique for designing structures simulated in 3D electromagnetic field solvers. A probe of concept is done by the EM-based optimization of a planar spiral inductor for high-power applications. The optimization technique employed is based on space mapping (SM) methods, more specifically on the Broyden-based input space mapping algorithm. Our optimization results confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach

A Serosurvey of Selected Cystogenic Coccidia in Spanish Equids: First Detection of Anti-\u3cem\u3eBesnoitia\u3c/em\u3e spp. Specific Antibodies in Europe

Background: Equine besnoitiosis, caused by Besnoitia bennetti, and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), caused by Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi are relevant equine diseases in the Americas that have been scarcely studied in Europe. Thus, a serosurvey of these cystogenic coccidia was carried out in Southern Spain. A cross-sectional study was performed and serum samples from horses (n = 553), donkeys (n = 85) and mules (n = 83) were included. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to identify a Besnoitia spp. infection and positive results were confirmed by an a posteriori western blot. For Neospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp., infections were detected using in-house ELISAs based on the parasite surface antigens N. hughesi rNhSAG1 and S. neurona rSnSAG2/3/4. Risk factors associated with these protozoan infections were also investigated. Results: Antibodies against Besnoitia spp., Neospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp. infections were detected in 51 (7.1%), 46 (6.4%) and 20 (2.8%) of 721 equids, respectively. The principal risk factors associated with a higher seroprevalence of Besnoitia spp. were the host species (mule or donkey), the absence of shelter and the absence of a rodent control programme. The presence of rodents was the only risk factor for Neospora spp. infection. Conclusions: This study was the first extensive serosurvey of Besnoitia spp. infection in European equids accomplished by two complementary tests and gives evidence of the presence of specific antibodies in these populations. However, the origin of the infection is still unclear. Further parasite detection and molecular genotyping are needed to identify the causative Besnoitia and Neospora species. Finally, cross-reactions with antibodies directed against other species of Sarcocystis might explain the positive reactions against the S. neurona antigens

Design Optimization of a Planar Spiral Inductor Using Space Mapping (poster)

This paper addresses the implementation of a computationally efficient optimization technique for designing structures simulated in 3D electromagnetic field solvers. A probe of concept is done by the EM-based optimization of a planar spiral inductor for high-power applications. The optimization technique employed is based on space mapping (SM) methods, more specifically on the Broyden-based input space mapping algorithm. Our optimization results confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach

Graphene-Assisted Integrated Nonlinear Optics

‎The unique linear and massless band structure of graphene in a purely two-dimensional Dirac fermionic structure has ignited intense research since the first monolayer graphene was isolated in the laboratory‎. ‎Not only does it offer new inroads into low-dimensional physics; graphene exhibits several peculiar properties that promise to widen the realm of opportunities for integrated optics and photonics‎. ‎This thesis is an attempt to shed light on the exceptional nonlinear optical properties of graphene and their potential applications in integrated photonics‎. ‎Following a theoretical exploration of light-graphene interaction‎, ‎disruptive new insight into the nonlinear optics of graphene was generated‎. ‎It now appears that graphene can efficiently enable photon-photon interaction in a fully integrated fashion‎. ‎This property‎, ‎taken together with ultrawideband tunability and ultrafast carrier dynamics could be fully exploited within integrated photonics for a variety of applications including harmonic generation and all-optical signal processing‎. ‎The multidisciplinary work described herein combines theoretical modeling and experimentation to proceed one step further toward this goal‎. ‎This thesis begins by presenting a semiclassical theory of light-graphene interaction‎. ‎The emphasis is placed on the nonlinear optical response of graphene from the standpoint of its underlying chiral symmetry‎. ‎The peculiar energy‎- ‎momentum dispersion of the quasiparticles in graphene entails a diverging field-induced interband coupling‎. ‎Following a many-body study of the carrier relaxations dynamics in graphene‎, ‎it will be shown that the charged carriers in the vicinity of the Dirac point undergo an unconventional saturation effect that can be induced by an arbitrarily weak electromagnetic field‎. ‎The perturbative treatment of the optical response of graphene is revisited and a theoretical model is developed to estimate the nonlinear optical coefficients including the Kerr coefficient of graphene‎. ‎The theoretical models are complimented by the experimental results‎. ‎The peculiar nonlinear optical properties of graphene together with its ablity to being integrated with optical platforms would render it possible to perform nonlinear optics in graphene integrated nanophotonic structures‎. ‎Here‎, ‎the suitability of graphene for nonlinear optical applications is investigated both theoretically and experimentally‎. ‎The emphasis is placed on an on-chip platform for ultrafast all-optical amplitude modulation‎. ‎The experimental results indicate strong all-optical modulation in a graphene-cladded planar photonic crystal nanocavity‎. ‎This development relies heavily on the unique properties of graphene‎, ‎including its fast carrier dynamics and the special phonon induced relaxation mechanism‎. ‎Finally‎, ‎the potential application of graphene based all-optical modulation in time resolved nonlinear spectroscopy is also discussed‎

Requisitos de seguridad alimentaria en la donación de alimentos

Donació d'aliments; Higiene alimentària; Requisits d'higieneDonación de alimentos; Higiene alimentaria; Requisitos de higieneFood donation; Food hygiene; Hygiene requirementsAquest document s’ha elaborat amb la finalitat de recollir i harmonitzar els requisits de seguretat i d’higiene dels aliments que han de complir les entitats socials que intervenen en la donació dels aliments en les diverses modalitats. Pretén ser el guió per a tots aquells formadors que en matèria de seguretat alimentaria formaran i assessoraran a les entitats socials que intervenen en les donacions. Hi ha una primera part que recull els Requisits Generals en higiene alimentària que ha de complir el voluntari que manipula aliments, les instal·lacions de l’entitat social i el producte alimentari. La informació sobre els diversos perills que poden afectar els aliments i com controlar-los completa aquesta part general. Aquesta part és comuna a totes les entitats socials i serveix de base per a una posterior formació més específca.Este documento se ha elaborado con la finalidad de recoger y armonizar los requisitos de seguridad y de higiene de los alimentos que deben cumplir las entidades sociales que intervienen en la donación de los alimentos en las diversas modalidades. Pretende ser el guión para todos aquellos formadores que en materia de seguridad alimentaria formarán y asesorarán a las entidades sociales que intervienen en las donaciones. Hay una primera parte que recoge los Requisitos Generales en higiene alimentaria que debe cumplir el voluntario que manipula alimentos, las instalaciones de la entidad social y el producto alimenticio. La información sobre los diversos peligros que pueden afectar a los alimentos y cómo controlarlos completa esta parte general. Esta parte es común a todas las entidades sociales y sirve de base para una posterior formación más específca.This document has been prepared with the aim of collecting and harmonizing the security requirements and of hygiene of the foods that have to fulfill the social entities that intervene in the donation of food in the various types. It pretends to be the script for all those trainers that in the matter of food security will form and they will advise the social entities involved in donations.  There is a first part that collects the General Requirements in food hygiene that must be met volunteer who handles food, the facilities of the social entity and the food product. Information about the various dangers that can affect food and how to control them completely this general part. This part is common to all social entities and serves as a basis for one further specific training

Proyecto COSINES: abordando el reto de relacionar fenómenos meteorológicos costeros y retroceso de acantilados en Asturias

Ponencia presentada en: XXXV Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el XIX Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en León, del 5 al 7 de marzo de 2018.La costa es un entorno muy sensible a los cambios ambientales y climáticos, respondiendo rápidamente a ellos. El escenario actual de calentamiento global predice un ascenso del nivel del mar y un incremento en la intensidad y frecuencia de los temporales, por lo que es esperable una intensificación del oleaje y de la actividad geomorfológica costera. Por ello, en las costas acantiladas se prevé un incremento de las inestabilidades de ladera, considerados el proceso más importante de retroceso costero. Asturias es una región con 660 km de línea de costa, de los que, más de la mitad corresponden a acantilados donde son frecuentes las inestabilidades de ladera. Por otra parte, los municipios costeros presentan además de la exposición al riesgo, una gran vulnerabilidad social y económica debido a su elevada densidad de población, numerosas infraestructuras, actividad industrial y patrimonio cultural. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, se ha puesto en marcha el proyecto de investigación “INEStabilidad de laderas como indicador del retroceso de la COSta cantábrica: caracterización multidisciplinar, COSINES”, financiado en la Convocatoria 2017 de Proyectos RETOS de Investigación de la Agencia Estatal de Investigación. El proyecto pretende caracterizar cualitativa y cuantitativamente el retroceso de la costa asturiana utilizando como indicador las inestabilidades en acantilados. Sus objetivos específicos son: 1) establecer la distribución espacial de movimientos de ladera en los acantilados; 2) determinar su tipología; 3) establecer el papel de sus factores condicionantes (litología y estructura geológica) y desencadenantes (fenómenos meteorológicos); 4) elaborar modelos conceptuales de su funcionamiento; 5) establecer su evolución en términos espaciales y temporales; y 6) cuantificar su contribución al retroceso de la línea costera.Esta investigación forma parte del Proyecto “COSINES” (CGL2017-83909-R), de la Convocatoria 2017 de Proyectos RETOS financiada por el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO), la Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)

A Prescription for Improving Drug Formulary Decision Making

Gordon Schiff and colleagues present a new tool and checklist to help formularies make decisions about drug inclusion and to guide rational drug use

A search for point sources of EeV photons

Measurements of air showers made using the hybrid technique developed with the fluorescence and surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory allow a sensitive search for point sources of EeV photons anywhere in the exposed sky. A multivariate analysis reduces the background of hadronic cosmic rays. The search is sensitive to a declination band from -85{\deg} to +20{\deg}, in an energy range from 10^17.3 eV to 10^18.5 eV. No photon point source has been detected. An upper limit on the photon flux has been derived for every direction. The mean value of the energy flux limit that results from this, assuming a photon spectral index of -2, is 0.06 eV cm^-2 s^-1, and no celestial direction exceeds 0.25 eV cm^-2 s^-1. These upper limits constrain scenarios in which EeV cosmic ray protons are emitted by non-transient sources in the Galaxy.Comment: 28 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Reconstruction of inclined air showers detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

We describe the method devised to reconstruct inclined cosmic-ray air showers with zenith angles greater than $60^\circ$ detected with the surface array of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The measured signals at the ground level are fitted to muon density distributions predicted with atmospheric cascade models to obtain the relative shower size as an overall normalization parameter. The method is evaluated using simulated showers to test its performance. The energy of the cosmic rays is calibrated using a sub-sample of events reconstructed with both the fluorescence and surface array techniques. The reconstruction method described here provides the basis of complementary analyses including an independent measurement of the energy spectrum of ultra-high energy cosmic rays using very inclined events collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: 27 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (JCAP