Coherent caloritronics in Josephson-based nanocircuits

We describe here the first experimental realization of a heat interferometer, thermal counterpart of the well-known superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). These findings demonstrate, on the first place, the existence of phase-dependent heat transport in Josephson-based superconducting circuits and, on the second place, open the way to novel ways of mastering heat at the nanoscale. Combining the use of external magnetic fields for phase biasing and different Josephson junction architectures we show here that a number of heat interference patterns can be obtained. The experimental realization of these architectures, besides being relevant from a fundamental physics point of view, might find important technological application as building blocks of phase-coherent quantum thermal circuits. In particular, the performance of two different heat rectifying devices is analyzed.Comment: 34 pages, 15 figures, review article for Ultra-low temperatures and nanophysics ULTN2013. Microkelvin Proceeding

Heat and Poisson semigroups for Fourier-Neumann expansions

Given $\alpha > -1$, consider the second order differential operator in $(0,\infty)$, $$L_\alpha f \equiv (x^2 \frac{d^2}{dx^2} + (2\alpha+3)x \frac{d}{dx} + x^2 + (\alpha+1)^2)(f),$$ which appears in the theory of Bessel functions. The purpose of this paper is to develop the corresponding harmonic analysis taking $L_\alpha$ as the analogue to the classical Laplacian. Namely we study the boundedness properties of the heat and Poisson semigroups. These boundedness properties allow us to obtain some convergence results that can be used to solve the Cauchy problem for the corresponding heat and Poisson equations.Comment: 16 page

El problema del coste en la industria hotelera: el servicio de alojamiento

La innegable importancia del sector turístico en nuestro país reclama, en nuestra opinión, un riguroso estudio de los diversos componentes que configuran su oferta final, dentro de la que, sin ningún género de duda, ocupa una importancia destacada la industria hotelera. Ello otorga especial relevancia a todo intento de definición y cálculo de los costes que inciden en la misma, y en particular los servicios de restauración y alojamiento, del último de los cuales nos ocupamos en el presente trabajo.We think that the great importance of tourism bussiness in our country makes necessary the elaboration of a deep study about the different factors that shape the completed offer in the sector. The products dealing with accommodations are undoubtedly an important part within this offer. It involves a special meaning for any attempt to define this sort of products and to calculate the costs that affect them. These last aspects we treat in the present piece of work

Fully-Balanced Heat Interferometer

A tunable and balanced heat interferometer is proposed and analyzed. The device consists of two superconductors linked together to form a double-loop interrupted by three Josephson junctions coupled in parallel. Both superconductors are held at different temperatures allowing the heat currents flowing through the structure to interfere. As we show here, thermal transport is coherently modulated through the application of a magnetic flux. Furthermore, such modulation can be tailored at will through the application of an extra control flux. In addition we show that, provided a proper choice of the system parameters, a fully balanced interferometer is obtained. The latter means that the phase-coherent part of heat current can be controlled to the extent of being fully suppressed. Such a device allows for a versatile operation appearing, therefore, as an attractive key to the onset of low-temperature coherent caloritronic circuits

Nongalvanic thermometry for ultracold two-dimensional electron domains

Measuring the temperature of a two-dimensional electron gas at temperatures of a few mK is a challenging issue, which standard thermometry schemes may fail to tackle. We propose and analyze a nongalvanic thermometer, based on a quantum point contact and quantum dot, which delivers virtually no power to the electron system to be measured.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Wetland restoration and nitrate reduction: the example of the periurban wetland of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, North Spain)

Changes in land use and agricultural intensification caused wetlands on the quaternary aquifer of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) to disappear some years ago and nitrate concentration in groundwaters increased very quickly. The Basque Government recently declared the East Sector of this aquifer a Vulnerable Zone according to the 91/676/CEE European Directive. Recently, the wetlands have been restored through the closure of the main drainage ditches, the consequent elevation of the water table and the abondonment of agricultural practices near the wetlands. This is the case of the Zurbano wetland. Restoration has allowed the recovery of its biogeochemical function, which has reduced nitrate concentrations in waters. Nitrate concentrations which exceed 50 mg l–1 in groundwaters entering into the wetland are less than 10 mg l–1 at the outlet. Conditions in the wetland are conducive to the loss of nitrates: organic matter rich wetted soils, clay presence allowing a local semiconfined flow and very low hydraulic gradient. Water quality monitoring at several points around the wetland showed the processes involved in nitrate loss, although some aspects still remain unresolved. However, during storm events, the wetland effectively reduces the nitrate concentration entering the Alegria River, the most important river on the quaternary aquifer

Root-to-Shoot Hormonal Communication in Contrasting Rootstocks Suggests an Important Role for the Ethylene Precursor Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid in Mediating Plant Growth under Low-Potassium Nutrition in Tomato

Selection and breeding of rootstocks that can tolerate low K supply may increase crop productivity in low fertility soils and reduce fertilizer application. However, the underlying physiological traits are still largely unknown. In this study, 16 contrasting recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between domestic and wild tomato species (Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum pimpinellifolium) have been used to analyse traits related to the rootstock-mediated induction of low (L, low shoot fresh weight) or high (H, high shoot fresh weight) vigor to a commercial F1 hybrid grown under control (6 mM, c) and low-K (1 mM, k). Based on hormonal and ionomic composition in the root xylem sap and the leaf nutritional status after long-term (7 weeks) exposure low-K supply, a model can be proposed to explain the rootstocks effects on shoot performance with the ethylene precursor aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) playing a pivotal negative role. The concentration of this hormone was higher in the low-vigor Lc and Lk rootstocks under both conditions, increased in the sensitive HcLk plants under low-K while it was reduced in the high-vigor Hk ones. Low ACC levels would promote the transport of K vs. Na in the vigorous Hk grafted plants. Along with K, Ca, and S, micronutrient uptake and transport were also activated in the tolerant Hk combinations under low-K. Additionally, an interconversion of trans-zeatin into trans-zeatin riboside would contribute to decrease ACC in the tolerant LcHk plants. The high vigor induced by the Hk plants can also be explained by an interaction of ACC with other hormones (cytokinins and salicylic, abscisic and jasmonic acids). Therefore, Hk rootstocks convert an elite tomato F1 cultivar into a (micro) nutrient-efficient phenotype, improving growth under reduced K fertilization.This research has received funding from the Spanish MINECO-FEDER (project AGL2014-59728-R) and from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 289365 (project ROOTOPOWER).USD 2,116.5 APC fee funded by the EC FP7 Post-Grant Open Access PilotPeer reviewe