Putting (social) science in its place(s)

Book review ofHeilbron, Johan, Sorá, Gustavo, and Boncourt, Thibaud (eds). 2018. The Social and Human Sciences in Global Power Relations. London: Palgrave. 371 pp.ISBN 978-3-319-73298-5Price: €128,3

Investigation of the influence of an adjacent mast structure on the striking distance to a lightning rod

In this dissertation, experimental data was used to investigate the influence of a nearby mast structure on the striking distance to a lightning rod. The results of this research helped identify and understand the impact of different factors such as stroke polarity, lightning rod height, striking distance to the ground, lateral distance from the lightning stroke to an adjacent mast, and height of the adjacent mast on the striking distance of a lightning rod. Moreover, a system identification methodology was employed for the development and validation of striking distance models from experimental work performed at the Mississippi State University High Voltage Laboratory. Striking distance models were obtained to represent the striking distance to the ground, striking distance to an isolated lightning rod, and striking distance to a lightning rod in the presence of an adjacent mast. In the case of the striking distance to the ground the system identification approach was used for the extraction of the parameters of the black-box model proposed. From the results the relationship between the striking distance to ground and the leader voltage were obtained for both polarities of the lightning stroke. The system identification approach was then expanded to obtain the models for the striking distance to the lightning rod. The system identification approach was used to evaluate different mathematical models based on the ones found in the literature. The models were trained on experimental data, their quality evaluated, and the best model was selected for both positive and negative polarity. Furthermore, the model for negative polarity was evaluated against data from real lightning conditions in order to corroborate the model extrapolation capability. Building on the success obtained on the cases of the striking distance to the ground and to an isolated lightning rod the focus was turned to expanding the models to incorporate the influence of an adjacent mast. Models for positive and negative polarity were obtained and the quality of the equations was evaluated

Nariai--Bertotti--Robinson spacetimes as a building material for one-way wormholes with horizons, but without singularity

We discuss the problem of wormholes from the viewpoint of gluing together two Reissner--Nordstr\"om-type universes while putting between them a segment of the Nariai-type world (in both cases there are also present electromagnetic fields as well as the cosmological constant). Such a toy wormhole represents an example of one-way topological communication free from causal paradoxes, though involving a travel to next spacetime sheet since one has to cross at least a pair of horizons through which the spacetimes' junction occurs. We also consider the use of thin shells in these constructions. Such a ``material'' for wormholes we choose taking into account specific properties of the Nariai--Bertotti--Robinson spacetimes.Comment: 5 pages, a talk delivered at the 11th Marcel Grossmann Meeting (2006

Some Advances in the Circuit Modeling of Extraordinary Optical Transmission

The phenomenon of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through electrically small holes perforated on opaque metal screens has been a hot topic in the optics community for more than one decade. This experimentally observed frequency-selective enhanced transmission of electromagnetic power through holes, for which classical Bethe\'s theory predicts very poor transmission, later attracted the attention of engineers working on microwave engineering or applied electromagnetics. Extraordinary transmission was first linked to the plasma-like behavior of metals at optical frequencies. However, the primary role played by the periodicity of the distribution of holes was soon made evident, in such a way that extraordinary transmission was disconnected from the particular behavior of metals at optical frequencies. Indeed, the same phenomenon has been observed in the microwave and millimeter wave regime, for instance. Nowadays, the most commonly accepted theory explains EOT in terms of the interaction of the impinging plane wave with the surface plasmon-polariton-Bloch waves (SPP-Bloch) supported by the periodically perforated plate. The authors of this paper have recently proposed an alternative model whose details will be briefly summarized here. A parametric study of the predictions of the model and some new potential extensions will be reported to provide additional insight

Improving photon-hadron discrimination based on cosmic ray surface detector data

The search for photons at EeV energies and beyond has considerable astrophysical interest and will remain one of the key challenges for ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) observatories in the near future. Several upper limits to the photon flux have been established since no photon has been unambiguously observed up to now. An improvement in the reconstruction efficiency of the photon showers and/or better discrimination tools are needed to improve these limits apart from an increase in statistics. Following this direction, we analyze in this work the ability of the surface parameter Sb, originally proposed for hadron discrimination, for photon search. Semi-analytical and numerical studies are performed in order to optimize Sb for the discrimination of photons from a proton background in the energy range from 10^18.5 to 10^19.6 eV. Although not shown explicitly, the same analysis has been performed for Fe nuclei and the corresponding results are discussed when appropriate. The effects of different array geometries and the underestimation of the muon component in the shower simulations are analyzed, as well as the Sb dependence on primary energy and zenith angle.Comment: 9 pages, 19 Figures. Accepted in Astroparticle Physics on May 31th, 201

The enzymatic determination of glucose in carbonated beverages: a useful tool for the undergraduate students to learn the basis of enzymatic analysis and the comparison of two analytical methods

The importance of enzymatic analysis in biochemistry, clinical chemistry and food chemistry is undoubted. The course "Applied Biochemistry" in our Faculty is aimed to undergraduate students of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In this subject, the principles and applications of enzymatic analysis are presented to the students, who receive a theoretical introductory lecture in the classroom before they carry out an experiment that should be feasible to be solved in a short laboratory period. The experimental protocol here presented, based on the enzymatic determination of glucose in carbonated beverages, has been implemented at the University of Málaga and it has been optimized according to the students’ results and commentaries along the last years. It aims to illustrate basic issues relating enzymatic analysis, including its potential application to food chemistry. Although there are several enzymatic methods that can be used for the determination of glucose, we selected the one based on the coupled reactions of glucose oxidase (GOD; EC 1.1.3.4.) and peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7.) because the kinetic constants of glucose oxidase allow the mentioned enzymatic reactions to be used in both, the end point and the kinetic enzymatic analysis methods. In this way, data for two different protocols for the determination of glucose concentration are obtained by the students from a single reaction mixture. Students construct a calibration curve for each method using a glucose standard solution, and use them to determine the glucose concentration in the problem solutions. The inclusion of replicate samples in the determination of the glucose concentration of an “ideal problem” (glucose in purified water) is used to illustrate the principles of statistics in the lab, and comparison with the “real value” allows an estimation of the accuracy of each method. The evaluation of glucose concentration in four carbonated beverages: coloured coke and uncoloured tonic sodas (regular or sugarless in both cases) makes student to recognise the appearance of interferences that should be either avoided or eliminated. Since all samples are analysed by means of end-point and kinetic methods, students can discuss the applicability of each method to these specific analytical problems. They are also encouraged to compare both analytical methods in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and time consumed. Chemistry and Biochemistry undergraduate students having performed this experiment in our laboratories have found it formative, interesting and challenging.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

A practice project to prevent the cookbook model as modus operandi for biochemistry laboratory learning

Laboratory learning is a crucial component of chemistry and biochemistry instruction and should be conceived as a way to develop students’ reasoning, technical or practical skills, introducing them into the scientific method principles. Nevertheless, the heavily criticized “expository instruction style”, characterized by a cookbook nature, is still the most widespread style of laboratory instruction in our universities. Alternative learning styles based in the inquiry, discovery and problem-based pedagogical approaches, have been reported to promote students’ problem solving skills, critical thought and self-confidence development. We are currently involved in the Educative Innovation Project PIE17-065, funded by University of Malaga, aimed to improve the teaching practice of Biochemistry laboratory to undergraduate students. Based on an enzymatic analysis of glucose in soft-drinks we have developed a laboratory protocol as a part of a full practice project where students must work before and after the lab session, in order to prevent the cookbook model as modus operandi, therefore preventing the situation where the students get a first glimpse of the experiment protocol whereas they put on their lab coat. The learning activities have been designed to move our students from the passive role that characterizes the step-by-step procedures, to an active and critical attitude that starts before and remains after their laboratory session, also minimizing time, space, and equipment resources. Our results have shown that this experiment has improved the learning of both, future biochemists and chemists, which showed a very positive perception of the whole practical project.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. PIE 17-06

Evaluation of the risk of fungal spoilage when substituting sucrose with commercial purified Stevia glycosides in sweetened bakery products

The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of different Stevia-based sugar substitutes (S1–S3), sucrose alone and a mixture of sucrose + S1 on: (a) humectant properties, (b) relative colonisation rates of sponge cake slices at 0.90 aw by strains of Aspergillus flavus, Eurotium amstelodami, Fusarium graminearum and Penicillium verrucosum at 20 and 25 °C and (c) shelf-life periods in days prior to visible growth. Results showed that sucrose, S1 commercial sugar substitute and the mixture of sucrose + S1 in water solutions were able to reach water activity levels similar to those of glycerol and glucose mixtures. The S2 and S3 commercial sugar substitutes were unable to reduce aw levels significantly. At 25 °C, colonisation of sponge cake slices by E. amstelodami, A. flavus and P. verrucosum occurred in all the treatments. Growth of F. graminearum only occurred on sponge cake slices containing S2 and S3 Stevia-based products at both temperatures. The best control of growth (30 days) was achieved in cake slices modified with sucrose or S1 Stevia treatments inoculated with A. flavus and in the sucrose treatment for E. amstelodami at 20 °C. F. graminearum growth was completely inhibited when sucrose alone, S1 or sucrose + S1 treatments were used at both temperatures. This study suggests that, as part of a hurdle technology approach, replacing sucrose with low calorie sugar substitutes based on Stevia glycosides needs to be done with care. This is because different products may have variable humectant properties and bulking agents which may shorten the potential shelf-life of intermediate moisture bakery products