1,269 research outputs found
Physical evolution in Loop Quantum Cosmology: The example of vacuum Bianchi I
We use the vacuum Bianchi I model as an example to investigate the concept of
physical evolution in Loop Quantum Cosmology (LQC) in the absence of the
massless scalar field which has been used so far in the literature as an
internal time. In order to retrieve the system dynamics when no such a suitable
clock field is present, we explore different constructions of families of
unitarily related partial observables. These observables are parameterized,
respectively, by: (i) one of the components of the densitized triad, and (ii)
its conjugate momentum; each of them playing the role of an evolution
parameter. Exploiting the properties of the considered example, we investigate
in detail the domains of applicability of each construction. In both cases the
observables possess a neat physical interpretation only in an approximate
sense. However, whereas in case (i) such interpretation is reasonably accurate
only for a portion of the evolution of the universe, in case (ii) it remains so
during all the evolution (at least in the physically interesting cases). The
constructed families of observables are next used to describe the evolution of
the Bianchi I universe. The performed analysis confirms the robustness of the
bounces, also in absence of matter fields, as well as the preservation of the
semiclassicality through them. The concept of evolution studied here and the
presented construction of observables are applicable to a wide class of models
in LQC, including quantizations of the Bianchi I model obtained with other
prescriptions for the improved dynamics.Comment: RevTex4, 22 pages, 4 figure
Massless scalar field in de Sitter spacetime: unitary quantum time evolution
We prove that, under the standard conformal scaling, a massless field in de
Sitter spacetime admits an O(4)-invariant Fock quantization such that time
evolution is unitarily implemented. This result disproves previous claims in
the literature. We discuss the relationship between this quantization with
unitary dynamics and the family of O(4)-invariant Hadamard states given by
Allen and Folacci, as well as with the Bunch-Davies vacuum.Comment: 23 pages. Typos corrected, matches published versio
Sensitivity analysis of a simulation model for evaluating renewable distributed generation on a power network
International audienceWe present a sensitivity analysis of a simulation model for the evaluation of the performance of a renewable distributed generation (DG) network. Uncertainties in renewable energy sources, components failure and repair events, loads and grid power supply are taken into account. The sensitivity analysis is performed individually with respect to the characteristic uncertain variables associated to each type of DG technology available. The impact of these uncertain variables is evaluated in terms of two performance functions, global cost (C g) and energy not supplied (ENS). The results show the trends of performance of the DG-integrated network under different conditions. This allows evaluating the impact of the different DG technologies
Possible Role of Tetracyclines on COVID-19: Recycling Well-Known Old Drugs from the Shelf
We are in the midst of a pandemic due to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Innovative therapies are in the lookup around the world. Recently, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in addition to Azithromycin were proposed to be used in patients with severe disease even though strong evidence is lacking. We propose the use of tetracyclines in addition to anti-virals early in the curse of the disease in order to prevent the Cytokine Storm Syndrome associated with COVID-19 and prevent ARDS. The proposed mechanisms of tetracyclines are: 1) anti-apoptotic properties; 2) decrease the Myeloperoxidase and ROS releaser from immune cells; 3) decrease neutrophil and monocyte migration and chemotaxis; 4) decrease the secretion of pro-inflammatory and vasoactive cytokines from macrophages (IL-1 beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha); 5) inhibition of iNOS expression; 6) inhibition of chemotaxis of peripheral monocytes; 7) inhibition of IL-6 production and its receptor system; 8) prevention of fibrosis; and 9) inhibition of metalloproteinases (particularly MMP-2 and 9). Tetracyclines are well-known drugs with lower costs, and are not associated with adverse effects like QT prolongation. Clinical trials are needed to test our hypothesis
The Beauty of Symmetry: Common-mode rejection filters for high-speed interconnects and balanced microwave circuits
Common-mode rejection filters operating at microwave frequencies have been the
subject of intensive research activity in the last decade. These filters are of interest for
the suppression of common-mode noise in high-speed digital circuits, where differential
signals are widely employed due to the high immunity to noise, electromagnetic
interference (EMI) and crosstalk of differential-mode interconnects. These filters can
also be used to improve common-mode rejection in microwave filters and circuits
dealing with differential signals. Ideally, common-mode stopband filters should be
transparent for the differential mode from DC up to very high frequencies (all-pass),
should preserve the signal integrity for such mode, and should exhibit the widest and
deepest possible rejection band for the common mode in the region of interest.
Moreover, these characteristics should be achieved by means of structures with the
smallest possible size. In this article, several techniques for the implementation of
common-mode suppression filters in planar technology are reviewed. In all the cases,
the strategy to simultaneously achieve common-mode suppression and all-pass behavior
for the differential mode is based on selective mode-suppression. This selective mode
suppression (either the common or the differential mode) in balanced lines is typically
(although not exclusively) achieved by symmetrically loading the lines with symmetric
resonant elements, opaque for the common-mode and transparent for the differential
mode (common-mode suppression), or vice versa (differential-mode suppression).MINECO, Spain-TEC2013-40600-R, TEC2013-41913-PGeneralitat de Catalunya-2014SGR-15
Informe de estudio sobre caracterización de sistemas ganaderos y pasturas en fincas pilotos del proyecto IFC-Lala
Methanation of CO2 on Ni/Al2O3 in a Structured Fixed-Bed Reactor—A Scale-Up Study
Due to the ongoing change of energy supply, the availability of a reliable high-capacity storage technology becomes increasingly important. While conventional large-scale facilities are either limited in capacity respective supply time or their extension potential is little (e.g., pumped storage power stations), decentralized units could contribute to energy transition. The concepts of PtX (power-to-X) storage technologies and in particular PtG (power-to-gas) aim at fixation of electric power in chemical compounds. CO2 hydrogenation (methanation) is the foundation of the PtG idea as H2 (via electrolysis) and CO2 are easily accessible. Methane produced in this way, often called substitute natural gas (SNG), is a promising solution since it can be stored in the existing gas grid, tanks or underground cavern storages. Methanation is characterized by a strong exothermic heat of reaction which has to be handled safely. This work aims at getting rid of extreme temperature hot-spots in a tube reactor by configuring the catalyst bed structure. Proof of concept studies began with a small tube reactor (V = 12.5 cm3) with a commercial 18 wt % Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. Later, a double-jacket tube reactor was built (V = 452 cm3), reaching a production rate of 50 L/h SNG. The proposed approach not only improves the heat management and process safety, but also increases the specific productivity and stability of the catalyst remarkably
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