Markoff-Rosenberger triples in arithmetic progression

We study the solutions of the Rosenberg--Markoff equation ax^2+by^2+cz^2 = dxyz (a generalization of the well--known Markoff equation). We specifically focus on looking for solutions in arithmetic progression that lie in the ring of integers of a number field. With the help of previous work by Alvanos and Poulakis, we give a complete decision algorithm, which allows us to prove finiteness results concerning these particular solutions. Finally, some extensive computations are presented regarding two particular cases: the generalized Markoff equation x^2+y^2+z^2 = dxyz over quadratic fields and the classic Markoff equation x^2+y^2+z^2 = 3xyz over an arbitrary number field.Comment: To appear in Journal of Symbolic Computatio

Analysis of the Behaviour of Biofuel-Fired Gas Turbine Power Plants

The utilisation of biofuels in gas turbines is a promising alternative to fossil fuels for power generation. It would lead to significant reduction of CO2 emissions using an existing combustion technology, although significant changes seem to be needed and further technological development is necessary. The goal of this work is to perform energy and exergy analyses of the behaviour of gas turbines fired with biogas, ethanol and synthesis gas (bio-syngas), compared with natural gas. The global energy transformation process (i.e. from biomass to electricity) has also been studied. Furthermore, the potential reduction of CO2 emissions attained by the use of biofuels has been determined, considering the restrictions regarding biomass availability. Two different simulation tools have been used to accomplish the aims of this work. The results suggest a high interest and the technical viability of the use of Biomass Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (BIGCC) systems for large scale power generation

Hacia una evolución de la concepción de analogía : aplicación al análisis de libros de texto

Las analogías han contribuido a la construcción y desarrollo del conocimiento científico y a su posterior comunicación, por lo que se consideran fundamentales en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las ciencias. En este trabajo se analizan las posiciones acerca de la idea de analogía y se establece una propuesta de su concepción y estructura. Esto ha permitido identificar y estudiar la distribución de las analogías presentes en los libros de texto de enseñanza secundaria, atendiendo a las siguientes variables: fecha de publicación, etapa educativa, materia y curso.Analogies have contributed to the construction and development of scientific knowledge and to its ulterior presentation, because they are essential in the scientific teaching-learning process. In this work the positions about the idea of analogy are analysed and a suggestion about conception and structure analogy is proposed. This fact has permitted the identification and research of the analogy distribution in secondary education textbooks. All this in relation with the following variables: publication date, education level, subjet and school year

Application of molecular nucleic acid-based techniques for the study of microbial communities in monuments and artworks

Microorganisms play critical roles in every kind of habitat on Earth, including those constructed by humans. Thus, our cultural heritage is affected by microbial colonization. While classical microbiological methods based on culturing procedures have provided important, but limited information on the microbial diversity of natural samples, novel molecular techniques have been extremely valuable in unraveling the diversity of microbiota involved in the biodeterioration of our monuments and artworks. The knowledge gained from these approaches has allowed the design of strategies for conserving and protecting monuments for the benefit of future generations. This review describes the state-of-the-art of the application of molecular methods to the analysis of cultural assets, and provides nearfuture perspectives on the subject. [Int Microbiol 2005; 8(3):189-194

First order transitions by conduction calorimetry: Application to deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate ferroelastic crystal under uniaxial pressure

The specific heat c and the heat power W exchanged by a Deuterated Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate ferroelectric-ferroelastic crystal have been measured simultaneously for both decreasing and increasing temperature at a low constant rate (0.06 K/h) between 175 and 240 K. The measurements were carried out under controlled uniaxial stresses of 0.3 and 4.5±0.1 bar applied to face (110). At Tt=207.9 K, a first order transition is produced with anomalous specific heat behavior in the interval where the transition heat appears. This anomalous behavior is explained in terms of the temperature variation of the heat power during the transition. During cooling, the transition occurs with coexistence of phases, while during heating it seems that metastable states are reached. Excluding data affected by the transition heat, the specific heat behavior agrees with the predictions of a 2-4-6 Landau potential in the range of 4–15 K below Tt while logarithmic behavior is obtained in the range from Tt to 1 K below Tt. Data obtained under 0.3 and 4.5 bar uniaxial stresses exhibit the same behavior.Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica. Gobierno de España-PB91-60

Torsion of rational elliptic curves over quadratic fields II

“This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Revista de la Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales - Serie A: Matematicas. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13398-015-0223-9“Let (Formula presented.) be an elliptic curve defined over (Formula presented.) and let (Formula presented.) be the associated torsion group. In a previous paper, the authors studied, for a given (Formula presented.) , which possible groups (Formula presented.) could appear such that (Formula presented.) , for (Formula presented.). In the present paper, we go further in this study and compute, under this assumption and for every such (Formula presented.) , all the possible situations where (Formula presented.). The result is optimal, as we also display examples for every situation we state as possible. As a consequence, the maximum number of quadratic number fields (Formula presented.) such that (Formula presented.) is easily obtainedE. González-Jiménez was partially supported by the Grant MTM2012-35849. J. M. Tornero was partially supported by the Grant FQM–218 and P12–FQM–269

Short-term microbial response after laboratory heating and ground mulching adition.

Fire alters soil organic matter inducing quantitative and qualitative changes that presumably will affect post-fire soil microbial recolonisation. Several studies have evidenced marked soil organic carbon reduction after moderate and high intensity fire, which limit the total recovery of microbial biomass during years. In order to evaluate the role of soil organic matter alteration in short-term microbial colonization process, we perform a preliminary experiment where unaltered soil from Sierra Nevada Natural Park was heated at 300 ºC during 20 minutes in a muffle furnace (H300) to simulate a medium-high intensity fire. After heating, soil samples were inoculated with unaltered fresh soil, rewetted at 55-65% of water holding capacity and incubated during 3 weeks. At the same time, unheated soil samples were incubated under the same conditions as control (UH). In addition, trying to partially alleviate soil organic matter fire-induced alterations effects on microbial colonization, we include an organic amendment treatment (M+). So, part of heated and unheated samples were amended with a mix of ground alfalfa:straw (1:1) and soil microbial abundance and activity were monitored together with soil organic matter changes. Heating process reduces total organic carbon content. After one week of incubation carbon content in heated samples was lower than the control one, in both, amended and un-amended samples. Microbial biomass and respiration were negatively affected by heating. Ground mulching addition increase microbial biomass and respiration but was not enough to reach control values during the whole study. Nevertheless, viable and cultivable fungi and bacteria showed different pattern. After two weeks of incubation both, fungi and bacteria were higher in heated samples. Ground mulching addition appears to stimulate fungal response in both, heated and unheated samples. Preliminary results of this experiment evidence the transcendence of soil organic matter fire-induced changes on microbial colonization process and the importance to determine several microbial parameters to obtain a more faithful conclusion about microbial response. The organic amendment appears to alleviate partially heated-induced damage, highlighting the positive stimulation on fungal abundance in both, heated and unheated samples.This research has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through research projects POSTFIRE (CGL2013-47862-C2-1-R) and GEOFIRE (CGL2012-38655-C04-01)Peer Reviewe