Transformation Optics Approach to Plasmon-Exciton Strong Coupling in Nanocavities

We investigate the conditions yielding plasmon-exciton strong coupling at the single emitter level in the gap between two metal nanoparticles. A quasi-analytical transformation optics approach is developed that makes possible a thorough exploration of this hybrid system incorporating the full richness of its plasmonic spectrum. This allows us to reveal that by placing the emitter away from the cavity center, its coupling to multipolar dark modes of both even and odd parity increases remarkably. This way, reversible dynamics in the population of the quantum emitter takes place in feasible implementations of this archetypal nanocavity.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Structural effects of steel reinforcement corrosion on statically indeterminate reinforced concrete members

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1617/s11527-016-0836-2Steel corrosion in reinforced concrete structures produces loss of reinforcement area and damage in the surrounding concrete. As a consequence, increases in deflections, crack widths and stresses may take place, as well as a reduction of the bearing capacity, which depends on the structural scheme and redundancy. In this paper an experimental study of twelve statically indeterminate beams subjected to different levels of forced reinforcement corrosion is presented. Different sustained loads were applied during the corrosion phase to assess their influence on the effects of corrosion. An important increase in deflections was registered in all corroded beams, especially in those subject to higher load levels. It was also found that the rate of corrosion was affected by the load level. Internal forces redistributions due to induced damage were measured. Finally, the experimental results were compared with those predicted by a non-linear time-dependent segmental analysis model developed by the authors, obtaining in general good agreement.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Environment and citizenship: Education for the participation as a base for a global citizenship education

Ciudadanía y medio ambiente se plantean como dos de los grandes retos a abordar en el siglo XXI en el ámbito de la educación. Esta investigación pretende aportar resultados acerca de la relevancia que los programas de participación ciudadana tienen en el alumnado en orden a fomentar las competencias relacionadas con la ciudadanía activa. Proponemos un marco teórico conjunto de la educación ambiental y la educación para la ciudadanía asumiendo una perspectiva de educación ciudadana planetaria o educación global. La investigación se desarrolla sobre varios casos de programas de educación para la participación ciudadana (Ecoescuela, Parlamento joven, Seguro que te mueves) en Andalucía y utiliza una metodología cualitativa de triangulación de datos con cuestionarios, entrevistas y grupos de discusión, utilizándose el software Atlas.ti para el tratamiento de los datos. Pretendemos así identificar las potencialidades y limitaciones de dichos programas, que han ido surgiendo de la necesidad de dar respuesta a valores considerados como deseables para la ciudadanía del siglo XXI. Entre los resultados obtenidos destacamos la potencialidad de estos programas educativos para formar ciudadanos comprometidos con los problemas sociales y ambientales desde una perspectiva de ciudadanía planetaria.Citizenship and environment are presented as two of the big challenges to be faced in the 21st century in the area of education. This research aims to provide results about the relevance that citizen participation programs have on students in order to foster the skills related to active citizenship. A theoretical framework of environmental education and education for citizenship is set assuming a perspective of planetary or global citizenship education. The research is based on several cases of education programs for citizen participation (Eco-Shool, Parlamento Joven, Seguro que te mueves) in Andalusia and uses a qualitative methodology of triangulation data through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups, using the software Atlas.ti for the data processing. We intend to identify the potentials and limitations of these programs, which have arisen from the need to provide responses to what are considered desirable values for 21st century citizenship. Among the results we highlight the potential of these educational programs to educate citizens involved in social and environmental problems from the perspective of global citizenship.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia y por Fondos FEDE

Escuela y desarrollo comunitario: educación ambiental y ciudadanía en las aulas de secundaria

La finalidad básica de la investigación que aquí se presenta es analizar la potencialidad educativa del programa Seguro que te mueves, cuyo objetivo es favorecer la participación activa del alumnado en su entorno inmediato, generando actitudes de compromiso con las problemáticas de su localidad. Se han analizado las propuestas llevadas a cabo en dos institutos de enseñanza secundaria de la provincia de Sevilla (España). Para el análisis se ha diseñado una metodología de carácter cualitativo que ha permitido establecer las dificultades pero, sobre todo, las posibilidades del programa para construir un modelo deseable de ciudadanía participativa y comprometida con el entorno. En cuanto a las conclusiones, se percibe una carencia de actividades específicas que permitan entender las cuestiones detectadas desde un enfoque más amplio, conectando así los problemas locales con los globales.The basic end of the research presented in this article is to analyze the educational potential of the “Move Already!” program, which is aimed at encouraging students’ active participation in their immediate surroundings, while generating attitudes of commitment toward local problems. An analysis was made of the actions carried out in two secondary schools in Seville, Spain. Qualitative methodology has allowed a definition of difficulties, as well as a program’s possibilities in constructing a desirable model of participative citizens committed to their environment. In conclusion, a lack of specific activities prevents understanding issues from a broader perspective that would connect local and global problems

Educating for participation from a planetary perspective. Analysis of educational experiences in Andalusia

Las finalidades básicas de la Educación Ambiental y de la Educación para la Ciudadanía pueden confluir en una perspectiva de “educación ciudadana planetaria”, que tenga como eje central la educación para la participación como ciudadanos en relación con los problemas sociales y ambientales, a escala local y a escala global. Desde este marco se analizan varios programas de educación para la participación ciudadana desarrollados en Andalucía: “Ecoescuela”, “Parlamento Joven” y “Seguro que te mueves”, valorando sus potencialidades y sus dificultades, con especial atención a las concepciones del profesorado y del alumnado implicados en los mismos.The basic aims of Environmental Education and Education for Citizenship can converge in a perspective of “global citizenship education”, which has as its central axis education for participation as citizens in relation to social and environmental issues, in a local and global scale. From this framework several education programs for citizen participation developed in Andalusia are analyzed: “Eco-School”, “Youths’ Parliament” and “Sure You Move”, assessing their strengths and their difficulties, with particular attention to the conceptions of teachers and students involved therein

Two variable Freud orthogonal polynomials and matrix Painlevé-type difference equations

We study bivariate orthogonal polynomials associated with Freud weight functions depending on real parameters. We analyse relations between the matrix coefficients of the three term relations for the orthonormal polynomials as well as the coefficients of the structure relations satisfied by these bivariate semiclassical orthogonal polynomials, also a matrix differentialdifference equation for the bivariate orthogonal polynomials is deduced. The extension of the Painlev´e equation for the coefficients of the three term relations to the bivariate case and a two dimensional version of the Langmuir lattice are obtained.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) 88887.310463/2018-00 88887.575407/2020-00FEDER/Junta de Andalucia A-FQM-246-UGR20MCIN PGC2018-094932B-I00European CommissionIMAG-Maria de Maeztu grant CEX2020-00 1105-