Qubits entanglement dynamics modified by an effective atomic environment

We study entanglement dynamics of a couple of two-level atoms resonantly interacting with a cavity mode and embedded in a dispersive atomic environment. We show that in the absence of the environment the entanglement reaches its maximum value when only one exitation is involved. Then, we find that the atomic environment modifies that entanglement dynamics and induces a typical collapse-revival structure even for an initial one photon Fock state of the field.Comment: eight pages, two figure include

Alpine reactivation of variscan folds and faults in the Iberian Chain: Examples of the Sierra de la Demanda and the Serrania de Cuenca

[Abstract] The structure of the Variscan basement of the Iberian Chain conditioned the geometry and orientation ofstructures formed during the Alpine compression. In the Sierra de la Demanda, located in the north-western part of the Iberian Chain, the E-W Variscan folds re-activated during the Tertiary compression, bringing about the folding of the mesozoic rocks uncomformably lying on them. In sorne sites this folds broke, forming high-angle thrusts. In the Boniches anticline (Serranía de Cuenca), Tertiary folding was conditioned by the existence of NW-SE basement faults, that moved under transpression. Variscan folding directions did not influence here the Tertiary deformational geometry

Effects of gut microbiota–derived extracellular vesicles on obesity and diabetes and their potential modulation through diet

Obesity and diabetes incidence rates are increasing dramatically, reaching pandemic proportions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to unravel the mechanisms underlying their pathophysiology. Of particular interest is the close interconnection between gut microbiota dysbiosis and obesity and diabetes progression. Hence, microbiota manipulation through diet has been postulated as a promising therapeutic target. In this regard, secretion of gut microbiota–derived extracellular vesicles is gaining special attention, standing out as key factors that could mediate gut microbiota-host communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from gut microbiota and probiotic bacteria allow to encapsulate a wide range of bioactive molecules (such as/or including proteins and nucleic acids) that could travel short and long distances to modulate important biological functions with the overall impact on the host health. EV-derived from specific bacteria induce differential physiological responses. For example, a high-fat diet–induced increase of the proteobacterium Pseudomonas panacis–derived EV is closely associated with the progression of metabolic dysfunction in mice. In contrast, Akkermansia muciniphila EV are linked with the alleviation of high-fat diet–induced obesity and diabetes in mice. Here, we review the newest pieces of evidence concerning the potential role of gut microbiota and probiotic-derived EV on obesity and diabetes onset, progression, and management, through the modulation of inflammation, metabolism, and gut permeability. In addition, we discuss the role of certain dietary patterns on gut microbiota–derived EV profile and the clinical implication that dietary habits could have on metabolic diseases progression through the shaping of gut microbiota–derived EV

Diseño de una columna de absorción de CO2 para el tratamiento de biogás

El compromís polític de la Unió Europea d'assolir la neutralitat climàtica i una economia circular ha promogut en els darrers anys la producció i ús d'energies renovables. Entre aquestes destaca el biogàs, una barreja de gasos, amb una composició propera al 60% en metà i 40% en diòxid de carboni, que es produeix a partir de la degradació anaeròbica de residus orgànics i es pot purificar per obtenir biometà, un gas amb alt contingut en metà i potencial per ser un substitut del gas natural. Aquest projecte consisteix en el disseny i l'anàlisi econòmica d'un procés de purificació de biogàs mitjançant absorció química en una columna de rebliment aleatori. El disseny, basat en balanços de matèria i complementat amb una simulació a Aspen Hysys, s'ha realitzat per a un corrent de biogàs que es purifica amb una dissolució aquosa de monoetanolamina al 30% en pes. Partint d'un cabal de biogàs estimat com una base de càlcul representativa de les produccions de diverses plantes europees s'aconsegueix una producció horària elevada d'un biometà d'alta puresa que s'injecta a la xarxa de gas. Els resultats de l'avaluació econòmica realitzada fan atractiva la inversió en aquest projecte per la seva rendibilitat econòmica; a més, la instal·lació projectada té un valor estratègic en el marc de la política ambiental europea indicada a l’inici.El compromiso político de la Unión Europea de alcanzar la neutralidad climática y lograr una economía circular ha promovido en los últimos años la producción y uso de energías renovables. Entre estas destaca el biogás, una mezcla de gases, con una composición cercana al 60% en metano y 40% en dióxido de carbono, que se produce a partir de la degradación anaeróbica de residuos orgánicos y puede purificarse para obtener biometano, un gas con alto contenido en metano con potencial para ser un sustituto del gas natural. Este proyecto consiste en el diseño y análisis económico de un proceso de purificación de biogás mediante absorción química en una columna de relleno aleatorio. El diseño, basado en balances de materia y complementado con una simulación en Aspen Hysys, se ha realizado para una corriente de biogás que se purifica con una disolución acuosa de monoetanolamina al 30% en peso. Partiendo de un caudal de biogás estimado como una base de cálculo representativa de las producciones de varias plantas europeas, se consigue una elevada producción horaria de un biometano de alta pureza que se inyecta en la red de gas. Los resultados de la evaluación económica realizada hacen atractiva la inversión en este proyecto por su rentabilidad económica; además, la instalación proyectada tiene un valor estratégico en el marco de la política ambiental europea indicada al inicio.The political commitment of the European Union to reach climate neutrality and a circular economy has promoted the production and use of renewable energies in recent years. Among these, biogas stands out as a mixture of gases, with an approximate composition of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide, which is produced from the anaerobic degradation of organic waste and can be purified to obtain biomethane, a gas with high methane content and potential to be a substitute for natural gas. This project consists in the design and economic analysis of a biogas purification process by chemical absorption in a random packed column. The design, based on material balances and complemented by a simulation in Aspen Hysys, has been carried out for a biogas stream that is purified with an aqueous solution of monoethanolamine at 30% wt.. Starting from an estimated biogas flow as a representative of the productions of several European plants, a high hourly production of a high-purity biomethane is achieved, which is injected into the gas network. The results of the economic evaluation carried out make investment in this project attractive due to its economic profitability; In addition, the projected installation has a strategic value within the framework of the European environmental policy indicated at the beginning.Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No ContaminantObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al ClimaObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::12 - Producció i Consum Responsable

Risk measures and the distribution of damage curves for 600 European coastal cities

A good understanding of climate change damages is vital to design effective adaptation policies and measures. Using a dataset of probabilistic sea-level rise and other of flood damages and protection cost curves for the 600 largest European coastal cities we generate stochastic damage curves and their distributions with and without adaptation. We apply the Generalized Extreme Value distribution to characterize the distributions and calculate two risk measures: the Value at Risk and the Expected Shortfall, which contribute to understanding the magnitude and probability of high-end sea-level rise represented by the upper tail of the distribution. This allows the costs of sea-level rise to be estimated (that is, in addition to other costs related to coastal extreme events) and supports decision-makers in integrating the high uncertainty related to future projections. This knowledge is necessary for an adequate risk management that does not underestimate risk. Furthermore, it allows city planners to tailor their risk tolerance. A great number of cities in Europe are currently undertaking adaptation plans or have already done so. Making these findings available should therefore be of great priority value to inform these processes. © 2019 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.This research is supported by the Basque Government through the BERC 2018–2021 program and by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICINN) through BC3’s María de Maeztu excellence accreditation MDM-2017-0714

El “tocotín” en los fastos novohispanos: una muestra de sincretismo cultural

Estudio del “tocotín”, danza de origen prehispánico, dentro de un contexto de celebración. La función de esta danza en los fastos novohispanos es muy particular, ya que ayuda a entender el complejo proceso de mestizaje, puesto que se inserta un baile indígena en un marco europeo. A lo largo de estas líneas, se intentará describir las características propias del “tocotín”, así como su supuesto origen. Por otra parte, se analiza a través de ejemplos su evolución en el marco de la cultura española. Este será el tema principal del artículo, puesto que el “tocotín” es un elemento más del engranaje de la transculturación en Nueva España. El entorno de la fi esta, refl ejo de una sociedad fuertemente jerarquizada, es idóneo para el estudio del papel de la cultura prehispánica en el siglo XVII.The present study covers the “tocotín”, a type of dance of pre-Hispanic origin, in their celebratory context. The role this dance has in the New Spain celebrations is very specifi c. It helps to understand the complexity of the cross-cultural process, as an indigenous dance is inserted in an european framework. Along these lines, we will try to describe the specifi c characteristics of this type of dance to raise awareness about this kind of pieces and about their origin. Besides, based on some examples, we will try to analyse their evolution inside Spanish culture. This is the main topic of this article as the “tocotín” is just another element of the transculturation of New Spain. The celebratory context –during celebrations we can observe the hierarchy of society– is optimal for the study of the pre-Hispanic culture role inside the hegemonic culture at that time