Development of Metamaterial-Based Near-Zero Refractive Index Structures in the Optical Regime

Multilayer combinations of plasmonic and dielectric materials can be designed as subwavelength structures to create a medium with unique parameters, but the development of optical metamaterials for the visible spectrum is hindered by the lack of plasmonic materials with suitable properties. A method to understand and design metamaterials for optical applications is examined as a solution for shifting the operating range from ultraviolet light to visible light. Special points of interest and corresponding parameters are identified to understand their effects on propagation. A hyperbolic near-zero refractive index metamaterial composed of alternating layers of metal and perovskite thin films is proposed for lenses and other optical devices. The results are intended to facilitate in the design of anisotropic media and selection of materials

Feeding Fusarium-infected wheat to yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio Molitor) to produce a safe, replacement protein source for animal feed

Various insect species including the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) could be an alternative and sustainable source of protein for animal feed. There is evidence that yellow mealworm larvae can utilize deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated wheat as a food source without sequestering it, producing a safe protein ingredient. This study aimed to determine the potential accumulation of DON in T. molitor larvae reared on Fusarium-infected wheat containing high levels of DON and investigate the effects of DON exposure on production, survival and nutritional traits of the larvae. Wheat containing 200 μg/kg DON was used as the control diet. A different source of wheat was sorted into six fractions and mixed to obtain three levels of DON for low (2,000 μg/kg), medium (10,000 μg/kg) and high (12,000 μg/kg) treatments. Each treatment was replicated five times with 300 or 200 mealworms per replicate for the feeding and breeding trials, respectively. Trial termination was determined when the first two pupae were observed (32-34 days). There was no difference in the levels of DON detected in the larvae between treatments and ranged from 121.8±19.3 to 136.4±40.5 μg/kg (P=0.883). Excretion of DON in pooled frass samples was 131.0, 324.0, 230.4 and 742.1 μg/kg for control, low, medium and high, respectively. The concentrations of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) detected in frass ranged from 279.5 to 326.4 μg/kg, whereas levels in larvae ranged from 65.3 to 66.2 μg/kg and were from undetectable to 204.9 μg/kg in wheat. Nutritional analysis on pooled samples from both trials showed maximum levels of crude protein (CP) of 52% and crude fat (CF) of 36%. Ash, fiber, chitin, fatty-acids and amino-acids content were consistent across treatments. Survival was greater than 96% for all life stages in both trials. In the feeding trial, average daily gain (ADG) ranged from 1.9±0.1 to 2.1±0.1 mg/day per mealworm. Less than 1.2% of the ingested DON was accumulated by larvae when they consumed Fusarium-infected wheat containing levels up to 12,000 μg/kg. These results along with the lack of effect on the nutritional profile, survival, or production traits, supports using DON-contaminated wheat in large-scale production of mealworms to produce a sustainable, safe protein source

InterSis : uma interface grafica para modelamento sismico

Orientadores: Martin Tygel, Rodrigo de Souza PortugalDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia MecanicaResumo: o modelamento desempenha importante papel nos estudos de processamento e inversão de dados sísmicos. Muitos problemas complicados podem ser melhor atacados e entendidos quando os fenômenos de propagação de ondas envolvidos podem ser modelados, pelo menos em modelos geológicos mais simples. Tendo em vista ser o modelamento sísmico uma área de vasta aplicação e interesse, um grande número de pacotes computacionais existem capazes de oferecer sofisti-cadas capacitações para propósitos de modelagem. Esses pacotes são sujeitos entretanto, a severas limitações em sua utilização, não só devido aos seus altos custos, quanto também à inacessibi-lidade de seus códigos fonte. Por outro lado, as alternativas que existem, na forma de pacotes de uso livre, não representam substituição satisfatória. Isto porque os pacotes de modelamento disponíveis, geralmente desenvolvidos em ambientes científico-acadêmicos, não são suficiente-mente amigáveis e flexíveis, por exemplo na especificação de parâmetros de entrada, disposição gráfica de resultados, etc. o objetivo desta dissertação é investigar os principais problemas associados à construção de uma interface gráfica capaz de suportar uma variedade de programas de modelamento existentes e disponíveis como programas livres. Como resultado dessas investigações, é apresentada neste tra-balho a interface gráfica chamada InterSis. A interface InterSis foi construída de modo a aceitar, de forma simples e unificada, programas de modelamento destinados à propagação de ondas em meios 2D e 2.5D.InterSis foi desenvolvida utilizando os pacotes de domínio público GTK + (Graphical Tool/dt) e SU (Seismic Una). No seu presente estágio, InterSis é capaz de atuar como efetiva plataforma para os programas: (a) Seis88, um programa bem estabelecido de traçado de raios em mode-los elásticos e isotrópicos, desenvolvido por V. Cerveny e I. Psencík e (b) fd2d um programa de diferenças finitas para a equação de onda acústica, desenvolvido por 1. Costa. Como uma pro-priedade de particular interesse, InterSis utiliza a informação fomecida pelo programa Seis88 para computar os parâmetros do chamado método CRS (do Inglês Common-Reflection-Suiface). Desta forma, a interface proposta pode ser de valia nos estudos de imageamento e inversão que utilizam o método CRS. Vale notar que, devido à sua estrutura de caráter geral, InterSis pode ser bem adaptada a outros programas de modelamentoAbstract: Modelling plays an important role in seismie data processing and inversion. Several compli-cated problems can be better addressed and understood, when the wave propagation involved ean be modelled, at least in simple versions ofthe geological model. As a wide topie of application and interest, a number of commercial softwares exist that offer sophisticated capabilities for modelling purposes. These packages are subjected to a number of limitations on their use, not only of costs, but also because their source codes are not accessible. On the other hand, the few ahematives existo in the form of open packages do not represent an easy replacement. The available modelling codes, mainly developed within academie-scientific environments, are not friendly and flexible enough, e.g., in the specification of input parameters and display of resu1ts. The aim of this work is to investigate the main problems connected with the construction of a graphica1 interface that would be an useful support to a number of modelling programs available as open codes. As a result of the investigations, a graphical interface, ca1led InterSis, has been developed. InterSis ean accept and handle, in a simple and unified way,softwares that involves seismic modelling in 2D and 2.5D media. InterSis was developed using the public-domain softwares GTK + (Graphica/ Too/kit) and SU (Seismic Unix). In its present stage, it is able to be an effective platform for the following programs : (a) Seis88, a well-established ray-tracing program developed by v. Cerveny and I. PsenãK and (b) fd2d a finite-difference program for the acoustie wave equation developed by J. Costa. As a particular feature, InterSis uses the information provided by Seis88 to compute the parameters ofthe COmnJOlI-Rejlectioll-Surface (CRS) method. In this way, the proposed intedàce ean be useful to imaging and inversion studies based on the CRS method. It is to be noted that, due to its general s1ructure, InterSis can be well adapted to other modelling programsMestradoReservatórios e GestãoMestre em Ciências e Engenharia de Petróle

No me olvides, no me perdones / instante, negación, imposibilidad

Master de Producció i Recerca Artística, Facultat de Belles Arts, Universitat de Barcelona, curs: 2020-2021, Tutor: Górriz, Lídia[spa] “No me olvides, no me perdones” es una propuesta investigativa y de producción sobre la temporalidad, la materialidad y los imaginarios de un tema tan volátil y esporádico como lo son los instantes, en concreto las situaciones creadas por pequeños lapsos que modifican y niegan una aparente estabilidad persistente, estas a veces creadas mediante un proceso creativo performativo o enmarcando encuentros casuales en el contexto de una idea redundante. Las piezas propuestas funcionan como una investigación profunda, donde toda la atención se centra en producir o evocar una leve situación en una nueva materialidad, una designación material a lo que no es un objeto, o dejó de serlo para ser más allá del mismo. Plantea también la idea de poder extender un instante a su máxima expresión, hacer del mismo un estado que se niega, que confronta lo que se considera verdadero en un proceso dialectico sin final alguno, pero sí en un eterno movimiento. Todo desde un proceso rumiante e insistente en la mente y en el diario vivir de las cosas que pasamos por alto. Esta metodología que altera la manera de ver y propone diversas formas de entender un estado, de reconocer el antes, el durante y el después de cada situación, para así poder llevar al resultado de todo este proceso, el de hacer de los imposibles, reales de alguna forma, hacer de los intervalos algo mucho más pesado y repetible, remembrar cada una de las emociones que nos agobian para representarles de alguna manera.[eng] "Don't forget me, don't forgive me" is an investigative and production proposal about temporality, materiality and imaginaries of a subject as volatile and sporadic as instants are, specifically the situations created by small lapses that modify and deny an apparent persistent stability, these sometimes created through a performative creative process or framing casual encounters in the context of a redundant idea. The proposed pieces work as a deep investigation, where all the attention is focused on producing or evoking a slight situation in a new materiality, a material designation to what is not an object, or ceased to be an object to be beyond it. It also raises the idea of being able to extend an instant to its maximum expression, to make of it a state that denies itself, that confronts what is considered true in a dialectic process without any end, but in an eternal movement. Everything from a ruminative and insistent process in the mind and in the daily life of the things we overlook. This methodology alters the way of seeing and proposes di erent ways of understanding a state, of recognizing the before, the during and the after of each situation, in order tobring to the result of this whole process, to make the impossible, real in some way, to make the intervals something much heavier and repeatable, to recall each of the emotions that overwhelm us to represent them in some way

The effect of task repetition on Colombian EFL students’ accuracy and fluency

Identical task repetition has been claimed to foster more complex, fluent and accurate spoken performance given the fact that the cognitive work used to internalize, organize and verbalize information remains accessible for the learner when a task is repeated, and therefore, capacity for new cognitive processes or attentional resources is freed (Bygate, 1999b, 2001; Skehan 1996, 1998). Nevertheless, it has also been relevant to identify how certain repetition features, namely procedural and content, favor oral performance. This study delves into this matter through a quasi-experimental mixed design, which compares the effectiveness of both conditions on 44 Colombian EFL learners’ global and simple past accuracy and fluency. Findings revealed no significant improvements in the global measures studied. As for the simple past, oral performance benefited overtime, however, the repetition groups did not significantly outperform the control one. The absence of significance might be due to the limited amount of repetition provided, which under skill acquisition postulates needed to be richer as to promote better oral performance than regular practice, especially at the A1 proficiency level from this sample

AB-BNCT beam shaping assembly based on 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction optimization

A numerical optimization of a Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) for Accelerator Based-Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) has been performed. The reaction 7Li(p,n)7Be has been considered using a proton beam on a lithium fluoride target. Proton energy and the dimensions of a simple BSA geometry have been varied to obtain a set of different configurations. The optimal configuration of this set is shown.Fil: Minsky, Daniel Mauricio. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kreiner, Andres Juan. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Valda Ochoa, Alejandro Aníbal. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentin

Systematic revision of the granulatus group of urophonius pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), with description of a new species from central Chile

A systematic revision of the granulatus group of the bothriurid scorpion genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893 is presented. Urophonius pizarroi, n. sp., a new species from central Chile, is described. Urophonius granulatus Pocock, 1898, Urophonius somuncura Acosta, 2003, and Urophonius tregualemuensis Cekalovic, 1981, are redescribed using modern standards. The adult males of U. somuncura and U. tregualemuensis are described for the first time. A distribution map and key to the species of the granulatus group are provided, along with a discussion of their phenology.Fil: Ojanguren Affilastro, Andres Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Ochoa, José A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. American Museum of Natural History; Estados UnidosFil: Mattoni, Camilo Ivan. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Zoología Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Prendini, Lorenzo. American Museum of Natural History; Estados Unido

Influence of Pectin as a green polymer electrolyte on the transport properties of Chitosan-Pectin membranes

Novel blend membranes have been prepared from Chitosan (CH), Pectin (PEC) andtheir mixtures. The obtained samples were cross-linked and sulfonated beforecharacterization. The results show that CH/PEC membranes display structural changes on the chemical and physical properties as a function of composition. DSC analysis reveals an endothermic peak due to the scission of the ionic pairs between carboxylic groups and ammonium groups, which produces a strong change on physical properties such as methanol permeability and proton conductivity. The methanol permeability decreases with the amount of Pectin from (4.24±0.04)x10-6 cm2/s for pure Chitosan membrane to (1.51±0.03)x10-6 cm2/s for blend CH/PEC membranes when the amount of Pectin is 50% (v/v). The proton conductivities of the blend membranes follow a similar behavior. For a pure CH membrane the conductivity is 2.44x10-3 S/cm, decreasing with pectin content until the composition 50/50 (v/v), in which the conductivity drops almost one order of magnitude.Fil: Pasini Cabello, Sergio David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Ochoa, Nelio Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Takara, Eduardo Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Mollá, Sergio. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; EspañaFil: Compañ, Vicente. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Españ

Propuesta para implementar una estrategia de adquisión y uso eficiente de combustible en una empresa de agregados

La presente investigación se enfoca en desarrollar una estrategia sostenible que permita una mejora continua con las herramientas que toda empresa minera tiene a su alcance con respecto al principal recurso consumible en la ejecución de sus operaciones. En esta investigación se analizará la empresa TZ, la cual se dedica a la extracción, procesamiento y transporte de agregados para concreto a diferentes proyectos de infraestructura. Se ha planteado como finalidad de la presente investigación, ofrecer una herramienta que permita administrar, evaluar y controlar el uso de combustible en las operaciones diarias. En el capítulo 01 se presenta la problemática de la empresa en análisis, la cual inicia desde la adquisición hasta la asignación del recurso para ser usado por la maquinaria. Esta situación no permite una correcta asignación de incidencia en el precio, generando incertidumbre sobre su incidencia en el precio final del producto y el rendimiento de los equipos en cuanto a costos. Por ello, se va a demostrar la incidencia que tiene acciones de mejora en la adquisición y consumo de petróleo en el costo directo del producto. En el capítulo 02 tras el análisis del marco teórico y el análisis propio del problema, se identificará las posibles soluciones analizando su viabilidad técnica y económica. Para el capítulo 03 se evaluará la potencialidad de cada posible solución y se hará un breve análisis de sus implicancias en el costo directo del producto mejorando el rendimiento de la inversión realizada.This research focuses on developing a sustainable strategy that allows continuous improvement with the tools that every mining company has at its disposal with respect to the main consumable resource in the execution of its operations. In this research, the TZ company will be analyzed, which is dedicated to the extraction, processing and transport of aggregates for concrete to different infrastructure projects. The purpose of this research has been to offer a tool that allows you to manage, evaluate and control the use of fuel in daily operations. In chapter 01, the problem of the company under analysis is presented, which begins from the acquisition to the allocation of the resource to be used by the machinery. This situation does not allow a correct allocation of incidence in the price, generating uncertainty about its incidence in the final price of the product and the performance of the equipment in terms of costs. Therefore, the impact of actions to improve the acquisition and consumption of oil on the direct cost of the product will be demonstrated. In chapter 02, after the analysis of the theoretical framework and the analysis of the problem, the possible solutions will be identified by analyzing their technical and economic feasibility. For chapter 03, the potential of each possible solution will be evaluated and a brief analysis of its implications on the direct cost of the product will be made, improving the return on the investment made.Trabajo de suficiencia profesiona

Evaluación de la eficacia de un abono orgánico en el cultivo de pimentón (Capsicum annuum L. ) en la granja del colegio integrado del carare (CICA) en el municipio de Cimitarra - Santander

Poultry manure is a widely used organic fertilizer due to its high content of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is produced from the decomposition and accumulation of poultry droppings, mainly hens, in combination with the material used to absorb moisture. Poultry manure is used to improve soil quality and structure, as well as to increase crop production. In the present work, the effect of poultry manure in combination with efficient microorganisms (EM) on the cultivation of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) is evaluated. The farm of the Colegio Integrado del Carare has a problem of solid waste production from the feces of 600 laying hens, generating approximately 2 tons of solid waste per year. On the other hand, there are problems in the production of chicken manure because its preparation is not adequate and causes environmental problems. Therefore, the aim is to develop a biotechnological strategy to improve the production of poultry manure with the addition of efficient microorganisms (EM) and to use poultry manure as agricultural fertilizer to improve paprika production. The hypothesis is that the application of poultry manure with and without microorganisms will improve paprika crop growth, quality and production. The methodology used is the preparation of the poultry manure with EM, the establishment of the crop and the application of treatments. Treatments consist of grams of poultry manure/plant: absolute control (0 gr), treatment 1 (80 gr), treatment 2 (40 gr), treatment 3 (6 gr), and grams of poultry manure/plant + ME - absolute control 0 gr - treatment 1 (80 gr) - treatment 2 (80 gr + 10% ME) - treatment 3 (80 gr + 25% ME) - treatment 3 (80 gr + 50% ME). The statistical design is a completely randomized design with 6 replicates per treatment, and significant differences between treatments are evaluated by ANOVA and t-test. The impact we want to generate is to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in the cultivation of paprika and the preservation of the environment through the proper preparation of poultry manure.La gallinaza es un abono orgánico ampliamente utilizado debido a su alto contenido de nutrientes como nitrógeno, fósforo y potasio. Se produce a partir de la descomposición y acumulación de los excrementos de aves de corral, principalmente gallinas, en combinación con el material utilizado para absorber la humedad. La gallinaza es utilizada para mejorar la calidad del suelo y su estructura, además para aumentar la producción de cultivos. En el presente trabajo, se evalúa el efecto de la gallinaza en combinación con microorganismos eficientes (EM) en el cultivo de pimentón (Capsicum annuum L.). En la granja del Colegio Integrado del Carare, se presenta un problema de producción de residuos sólidos procedentes de las heces de 600 gallinas ponedoras, generando aproximadamente 2 toneladas de residuos sólidos al año. Por otro lado, se tienen problemas en la producción de gallinaza debido a que su preparación no es adecuada y ocasiona problemas ambientales. Por lo anterior, se pretende desarrollar una estrategia biotecnológica para mejorar la producción de gallinaza con la adición de microorganismos eficientes (EM) y utilizar la gallinaza como abono agrícola para mejorar la producción de pimentón. La hipótesis consiste en que, si se aplica gallinaza con y sin microorganismos, se mejorará el crecimiento del cultivo de pimentón, calidad y producción. La metodología empleada es la preparación de la gallinaza con EM, el establecimiento del cultivo y la aplicación de tratamientos. Los tratamientos consisten en gramos de gallinaza/planta: control absoluto (0 gr), tratamiento 1 (80 gr), tratamiento 2 (40 gr), tratamiento 3 (6 gr), y gramos de gallinaza/planta + EM - control absoluto 0 gr - tratamiento 1 (80 gr) - tratamiento 2 (80 gr + 10% EM) - tratamiento 3 (80 gr + 25% EM) - tratamiento 3 (80 gr + 50% EM). El diseño estadístico es un diseño completamente al azar con 6 repeticiones por tratamiento, y se evalúan las diferencias significativas entre tratamientos por ANOVA y la prueba t. El impacto que queremos generar es contribuir a prácticas agrícolas sostenibles en el cultivo del pimentón y a la preservación del medio ambiente por medio de la adecuada preparación de la gallinaza