Fate of the spin-\frac{1}{2} Kondo effect in the presence of temperature gradients

We consider a strongly interacting quantum dot connected to two leads held at quite different temperatures. Our aim is to study the behavior of the Kondo effect in the presence of large thermal biases. We use three different approaches, namely, a perturbation formalism based on the Kondo Hamiltonian, a slave-boson mean-field theory for the Anderson model at large charging energies and a truncated equation-of-motion approach beyond the Hartree-Fock approximation. The two former formalisms yield a suppression of the Kondo peak for thermal gradients above the Kondo temperature, showing a remarkably good agreement despite their different ranges of validity. The third technique allows us to analyze the full density of states within a wide range of energies. Additionally, we have investigated the quantum transport properties (electric current and thermocurrent) beyond linear response. In the voltage-driven case, we reproduce the split differential conductance due to the presence of different electrochemical potentials. In the temperature-driven case, we observe a strongly nonlinear thermocurrent as a function of the applied thermal gradient. Depending on the parameters, we can find nontrivial zeros in the electric current for finite values of the temperature bias. Importantly, these thermocurrent zeros yield direct access to the system's characteristic energy scales (Kondo temperature and charging energy).Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, revised versio

Applying ecosystem services assessment in closure planning to enhance post-mining land-use outcomes: learning from bauxite mining in Brazil and Australia

Ecosystem services assessments help us understand the benefits that society obtains from ecosystems, and they are increasingly being used to understand the human–nature relationship in many applications. This paper presents the results of two ecosystem services assessments applied as part of mine closure planning and rehabilitation activities for two bauxite mining operations operated by the same company, one located in Brazil, the other in Australia. The focus was on the value of the postmining land use that was being realised for local community users. For the Juruti mine site, located in Amazon rainforest, the research examined the return of culturally and economically important forest products—such as Brazil nuts, natural fruits and timber—to local communities living in the vicinity of the mining operations. For the Australian operation, located in the jarrah forest of Western Australia, the research focused on recreationists’ perceptions of the value of rehabilitated bauxite mine areas for bushwalking and mountain biking. Interviews were the principal method employed to understand community stakeholder interactions with pre-mining and post-rehabilitation areas. Workshops were conducted with regulators responsible for mine closure planning and rehabilitation activity.In the Brazil case, taking an ecosystem services approach to explain and explore the mine closure planning process with both the community and the mining company alike provided a pathway for getting to an agreed post-mining land use as the approach’s inherent anthropic focus provides a way to include community perspectives. In the Australian case, the recreation values sought by forest users had not been returned in rehabilitated mined areas, although it was clear that forest users’ perspectives were strongly influenced by historical rehabilitation efforts, which have been transcended by recent practices. Regulators saw value in using ecosystem services assessment methods to both plan the mine closure and monitor the progress of rehabilitation as a way to demonstrate social benefits rather than solely ecological results. In both countries, regulators agreed that results analysis of rehabilitation practices was poorly done. While Brazilian regulators saw ecosystem services as an opportunity to fill some current gaps in rehabilitation practices, such as stakeholder engagement, the Australian regulators believed that the planning process already made implicit use of ecosystem services. In both cases, the actual biophysical basis of rehabilitation practices was found to be robust, but taking an ecosystem services approach to mine closure planning enhanced the process and generated valuable insights for guiding post-mining land-use determinations. Overall, the study demonstrates that meeting regulatory requirements for rehabilitation, as measured by ecological indicators, does not automatically correlate with acceptable social outcomes

Potential of agave bagasse feedstock for biorefinery hydrothermal pretreatment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Versatile Graphene-Based Platform for Robust Nanobiohybrid Interfaces

Technologically useful and robust graphene-based interfaces for devices require the introduction of highly selective, stable, and covalently bonded functionalities on the graphene surface, whilst essentially retaining the electronic properties of the pristine layer. This work demonstrates that highly controlled, ultrahigh vacuum covalent chemical functionalization of graphene sheets with a thiol-terminated molecule provides a robust and tunable platform for the development of hybrid nanostructures in different environments. We employ this facile strategy to covalently couple two representative systems of broad interest: metal nanoparticles, via S-metal bonds, and thiol-modified DNA aptamers, via disulfide bridges. Both systems, which have been characterized by a multi-technique approach, remain firmly anchored to the graphene surface even after several washing cycles. Atomic force microscopy images demonstrate that the conjugated aptamer retains the functionality required to recognize a target protein. This methodology opens a new route to the integration of high-quality graphene layers into diverse technological platforms, including plasmonics, optoelectronics, or biosensing. With respect to the latter, the viability of a thiol-functionalized chemical vapor deposition graphene-based solution-gated field-effect transistor array was assessed

Biochar Improves the Properties of Poultry Manure Compost as Growing Media for Rosemary Production

[EN] Compost represents a sustainable alternative for peat (P) replacement in soilless plant cultivation, but its use can be limited by several inadequate physical and physicochemical properties. Biochar can alleviate some of the limitations of compost for its use as growth media by improving the physical properties, decreasing salinity and making the phytotoxic compounds unavailable for plants. We studied the physical and physicochemical properties of holm oak biochar (B), poultry manure compost (PMC), poultry manure composted with biochar (PMBC), a commercial peat (P) and multiple combinations of these materials as growth media, and their effect on the rooting and growth of rosemary. PMBC and PMC showed similar physical and physicochemical properties as growing media, and they both were phytotoxic when used in a rate above 50% (by volume) in the growing medium. However, when used at proportion of 25%, PMBC was less phytotoxic than PMC and enhanced the percentage of rosemary cutting rooting. The incorporation of B in the growing medium instead of P (either at 50% or 75% in volume) increased the stability of the growing media and the percentage of rooted cuttings, but it did not affect plant growth significantly. Our results demonstrate the potential of substituting peat by a combination of poultry manure compost and biochar for the formulation of growth media.This research was funded by SPANISH MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND COMPETITIVENESS, grant numbers AGL2012-40143-C02-01 and RTI2018-099417-B-I00, co-funded with EU FEDER fundsFornes Sebastiá, F.; Liu-Xu, L.; Lidón, A.; Sanchez-Garcia, M.; Luz Cayuela, M.; Sanchez-Monedero, MA.; Belda Navarro, RM. (2020). Biochar Improves the Properties of Poultry Manure Compost as Growing Media for Rosemary Production. Agronomy. 10(2):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020261S116102KERN, J., TAMMEORG, P., SHANSKIY, M., SAKRABANI, R., KNICKER, H., KAMMANN, C., … GLASER, B. (2017). SYNERGISTIC USE OF PEAT AND CHARRED MATERIAL IN GROWING MEDIA – AN OPTION TO REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON PEATLANDS? Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 25(2), 160-174. doi:10.3846/16486897.2017.1284665Tiemeyer, B., Albiac Borraz, E., Augustin, J., Bechtold, M., Beetz, S., Beyer, C., … Zeitz, J. (2016). High emissions of greenhouse gases from grasslands on peat and other organic soils. Global Change Biology, 22(12), 4134-4149. doi:10.1111/gcb.13303Raviv, M. (2005). Production of High-quality Composts for Horticultural Purposes: A Mini-review. HortTechnology, 15(1), 52-57. doi:10.21273/horttech.15.1.0052GARCIADELAFUENTE, R., CARRION, C., BOTELLA, S., FORNES, F., NOGUERA, V., & ABAD, M. (2007). Biological oxidation of elemental sulphur added to three composts from different feedstocks to reduce their pH for horticultural purposes. Bioresource Technology, 98(18), 3561-3569. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.008Alburquerque, J. A., Gonzálvez, J., García, D., & Cegarra, J. (2006). Measuring detoxification and maturity in compost made from «alperujo», the solid by-product of extracting olive oil by the two-phase centrifugation system. Chemosphere, 64(3), 470-477. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.10.055Wang, P., Changa, C. M., Watson, M. E., Dick, W. A., Chen, Y., & Hoitink, H. A. J. (2004). Maturity indices for composted dairy and pig manures. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 36(5), 767-776. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2003.12.012Sáez, J. A., Belda, R. M., Bernal, M. P., & Fornes, F. (2016). Biochar improves agro-environmental aspects of pig slurry compost as a substrate for crops with energy and remediation uses. Industrial Crops and Products, 94, 97-106. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.08.035Kelleher, B. ., Leahy, J. ., Henihan, A. ., O’Dwyer, T. ., Sutton, D., & Leahy, M. . (2002). Advances in poultry litter disposal technology – a review. Bioresource Technology, 83(1), 27-36. doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(01)00133-xAtiyeh, R. M., Subler, S., Edwards, C. A., Bachman, G., Metzger, J. D., & Shuster, W. (2000). Effects of vermicomposts and composts on plant growth in horticultural container media and soil. Pedobiologia, 44(5), 579-590. doi:10.1078/s0031-4056(04)70073-6Steiner, C., & Harttung, T. (2014). Biochar as a growing media additive and peat substitute. Solid Earth, 5(2), 995-999. doi:10.5194/se-5-995-2014Woolf, D., Amonette, J. E., Street-Perrott, F. A., Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2010). Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nature Communications, 1(1). doi:10.1038/ncomms1053Fornes, F., & Belda, R. M. (2018). Biochar versus hydrochar as growth media constituents for ornamental plant cultivation. Scientia Agricola, 75(4), 304-312. doi:10.1590/1678-992x-2017-0062Tian, Y., Sun, X., Li, S., Wang, H., Wang, L., Cao, J., & Zhang, L. (2012). Biochar made from green waste as peat substitute in growth media for Calathea rotundifola cv. Fasciata. Scientia Horticulturae, 143, 15-18. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2012.05.018Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., Fernández de Córdova, P., & Cebolla-Cornejo, J. (2017). Assessment of biochar and hydrochar as minor to major constituents of growing media for containerized tomato production. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 97(11), 3675-3684. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8227Petruccelli, R., Bonetti, A., Traversi, M. L., Faraloni, C., Valagussa, M., & Pozzi, A. (2015). Influence of biochar application on nutritional quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Crop and Pasture Science, 66(7), 747. doi:10.1071/cp14247Belda, R. M., Lidón, A., & Fornes, F. (2016). Biochars and hydrochars as substrate constituents for soilless growth of myrtle and mastic. Industrial Crops and Products, 94, 132-142. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.08.024Fornes, F., & Belda, R. M. (2019). Use of raw and acidified biochars as constituents of growth media for forest seedling production. New Forests, 50(6), 1063-1086. doi:10.1007/s11056-019-09715-yHuang, L., Niu, G., Feagley, S. E., & Gu, M. (2019). Evaluation of a hardwood biochar and two composts mixes as replacements for a peat-based commercial substrate. Industrial Crops and Products, 129, 549-560. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.12.044Alvarez, J. M., Pasian, C., Lal, R., Lapez, R., & Ferna¡ndez, M. (2017). Vermicompost and biochar as substitutes of growing media in ornamental-plant production. Journal of Applied Horticulture, 19(03), 205-214. doi:10.37855/jah.2017.v19i03.37Steiner, C., Das, K. C., Melear, N., & Lakly, D. (2010). Reducing Nitrogen Loss during Poultry Litter Composting Using Biochar. Journal of Environmental Quality, 39(4), 1236-1242. doi:10.2134/jeq2009.0337Wang, C., Lu, H., Dong, D., Deng, H., Strong, P. J., Wang, H., & Wu, W. (2013). Insight into the Effects of Biochar on Manure Composting: Evidence Supporting the Relationship between N2O Emission and Denitrifying Community. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(13), 7341-7349. doi:10.1021/es305293hWang, Y., Villamil, M. B., Davidson, P. C., & Akdeniz, N. (2019). A quantitative understanding of the role of co-composted biochar in plant growth using meta-analysis. Science of The Total Environment, 685, 741-752. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.244Sánchez-García, M., Alburquerque, J. A., Sánchez-Monedero, M. A., Roig, A., & Cayuela, M. L. (2015). Biochar accelerates organic matter degradation and enhances N mineralisation during composting of poultry manure without a relevant impact on gas emissions. Bioresource Technology, 192, 272-279. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.05.003Maroušek, J., Hašková, S., Zeman, R., Žák, J., Vaníčková, R., Maroušková, A., … Myšková, K. (2015). Polemics on Ethical Aspects in the Compost Business. Science and Engineering Ethics, 22(2), 581-590. doi:10.1007/s11948-015-9664-yAbad, M., Fornes, F., Carrión, C., Noguera, V., Noguera, P., Maquieira, A., & Puchades, R. (2005). Physical Properties of Various Coconut Coir Dusts Compared to Peat. HortScience, 40(7), 2138-2144. doi:10.21273/hortsci.40.7.2138Laird, D., Fleming, P., Wang, B., Horton, R., & Karlen, D. (2010). Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma, 158(3-4), 436-442. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.05.012Jaiswal, A. K., Elad, Y., Paudel, I., Graber, E. R., Cytryn, E., & Frenkel, O. (2017). Linking the Belowground Microbial Composition, Diversity and Activity to Soilborne Disease Suppression and Growth Promotion of Tomato Amended with Biochar. Scientific Reports, 7(1). doi:10.1038/srep44382Elad, Y., David, D. R., Harel, Y. M., Borenshtein, M., Kalifa, H. B., Silber, A., & Graber, E. R. (2010). Induction of Systemic Resistance in Plants by Biochar, a Soil-Applied Carbon Sequestering Agent. Phytopathology®, 100(9), 913-921. doi:10.1094/phyto-100-9-0913Graber, E. R., Meller Harel, Y., Kolton, M., Cytryn, E., Silber, A., Rav David, D., … Elad, Y. (2010). Biochar impact on development and productivity of pepper and tomato grown in fertigated soilless media. Plant and Soil, 337(1-2), 481-496. doi:10.1007/s11104-010-0544-6Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., & Lidón, A. (2015). Analysis of two biochars and one hydrochar from different feedstock: focus set on environmental, nutritional and horticultural considerations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 86, 40-48. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.057Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., Carrión, C., Noguera, V., García-Agustín, P., & Abad, M. (2007). Pre-conditioning ornamental plants to drought by means of saline water irrigation as related to salinity tolerance. Scientia Horticulturae, 113(1), 52-59. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2007.01.008Moran, R. (1982). Formulae for Determination of Chlorophyllous Pigments Extracted with N,N-Dimethylformamide. Plant Physiology, 69(6), 1376-1381. doi:10.1104/pp.69.6.1376Mendoza-Hernández, D., Fornes, F., & Belda, R. M. (2014). Compost and vermicompost of horticultural waste as substrates for cutting rooting and growth of rosemary. Scientia Horticulturae, 178, 192-202. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2014.08.024Fornes, F., Mendoza-Hernandez, D., & Belda, R. M. (2013). Compost versus vermicompost as substrate constituents for rooting shrub cuttings. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(2), 518. doi:10.5424/sjar/2013112-3304Esteban, R., Ariz, I., Cruz, C., & Moran, J. F. (2016). Review: Mechanisms of ammonium toxicity and the quest for tolerance. Plant Science, 248, 92-101. doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2016.04.008Domínguez-Valdivia, M. D., Aparicio-Tejo, P. M., Lamsfus, C., Cruz, C., Martins-Loução, M. A., & Moran, J. F. (2008). Nitrogen nutrition and antioxidant metabolism in ammonium-tolerant and -sensitive plants. Physiologia Plantarum, 132(3), 359-369. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.01022.xBritto, D. T., & Kronzucker, H. J. (2002). NH4+ toxicity in higher plants: a critical review. Journal of Plant Physiology, 159(6), 567-584. doi:10.1078/0176-1617-0774Fornes, F., Carrión, C., García-de-la-Fuente, R., Puchades, R., & Abad, M. (2010). Leaching composted lignocellulosic wastes to prepare container media: Feasibility and environmental concerns. Journal of Environmental Management, 91(8), 1747-1755. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.03.01

Optimizing outcomes for children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in low- and middle-income countries by early correct diagnosis, reducing toxic death and preventing abandonment

In high-income countries, more than 90% of children with mature B-cell lymphomas are cured with frontline therapy. However, cure requires prompt and correct diagnosis, careful risk stratification, very intense chemotherapy and meticulous supportive care, together with logistical support for patients who live far from the cancer centre or face financial barriers to receiving care. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), cure rates range from 20% to 70% because of lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis, abandonment of treatment, toxic death and excess relapse with reduced-intensity regimens. Fortunately, a wide range of successful interventions in LMIC have reduced these causes of avoidable treatment failure. Public awareness campaigns have led to societal awareness of childhood cancer; telepathology has improved diagnosis, even in remote areas; subsidized chemotherapy, transportation, housing and food have reduced abandonment; and hand hygiene, nurse training programmes and health system improvements have reduced toxic death. These interventions can be deployed everywhere and at low cost, so are highly scalable. Children and adolescents with Burkitt lymphoma can be cured in all countries by making a timely correct diagnosis, applying protocols adapted to the local context, preventing abandonment of therapy and avoiding toxic death. Reducing these causes of treatment failure is feasible and highly cost-effective everywhere.Fil: Chantada, Guillermo Luis. Hospital Universitario Austral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lam, Catherine G.. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Estados UnidosFil: Howard, Scott C.. University of Tennessee; Estados Unido

The constant-velocity highly collimated outflows of the planetary nebula He 2-90

We present high-dispersion echelle spectroscopic observations and a narrow-band [N II] image of the remarkable jet-like features of He 2-90. They are detected in the echelle spectra in the H-alpha and [N II] lines but not in other nebular lines. The [N II]/H-alpha ratio is uniformly high, ~1. The observed kinematics reveals bipolar collimated outflows in the jet-like features and shows that the southeast (northwest) component expands towards (away from) the observer at a remarkably constant line-of-sight velocity, 26.0+-0.5 km/s. The observed expansion velocity and the opening angle of the jet-like features are used to estimate an inclination angle of ~5 degrees with respect to the sky plane and a space expansion velocity of ~290 km/s. The spectrum of the bright central nebula reveals a profusion of Fe lines and extended wings of the H-alpha line, similar to those seen in symbiotic stars and some young planetary nebulae that are presumed to host a mass-exchanging binary system. If this is the case for He 2-90, the constant velocity and direction of the jets require a very stable dynamic system against precession and warping.Comment: 8 pages (emulate ApJ), 5 figure, 1 tabl

Co2+ sorption capacity indicators of La Plata region´s soils. Insights and correlations with soil properties

Notwithstanding soil act as a pollutant sink, its Co sorption capacity presents still controversial results. Here, Co2+ sorption on soil samples from La Plata (Argentina) was analyzed. Four sorption indicators were used: Kdis (estimated from the entire sorption isotherm), KF1 (estimated from the lineal part of the sorption isotherm), Kdx, (solid-solution distribution coefficient) and Kr, a dimensionless parameter recently developed. Pearson correlation coefficients between the parameters and soil properties were calculated. Significant and negative correlations with silt were obtained, while significant and positive correlations were established with clay and smectite content. Soil clay fractions were isolated and Co2+ sorption was evaluated, observing relatively high removal. The correlations with kaolinite, magnetite and Mn and Fe oxides showed debatable results: Kdis could be more sensitive than Kr to magnetite variations while Kr seems to be more sensitive to Mn changes. KF1 presented similar behavior to Kr. The studied soils presented a high Co2+ sorption capacity, making them an effective barrier of this pollutant, avoiding its passage to groundwater and crops.Fil: Montes, María Luciana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez M. A. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica; ArgentinaFil: Brendle, J. Université Haute-alsace. Institut de Science Des Matériaux de Mulhouse.; FranciaFil: Michelin, L.. Université Haute-alsace. Institut de Science Des Matériaux de Mulhouse.; FranciaFil: Taylor, Marcela Andrea. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Torres Sanchez, Rosa Maria. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica; Argentin

Current clinical practice in disabling and chronic migraine in the primary care setting: results from the European My-LIFE anamnesis survey.

Migraine is a prevalent and disabling headache disorder that affects more than 1.04 billion individuals world-wide. It can result in reduction in quality of life, increased disability, and high socio-economic burden. Nevertheless, and despite the availability of evidence-based national and international guidelines, the management of migraine patients often remains suboptimal, especially for chronic migraine (CM) patients. My-LIFE anamnesis project surveyed 201 General practitioners (GPs) from 5 European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) with the aim of understanding chronic migraine (CM) patients' management in the primary care setting. In our survey, GPs diagnosed episodic migraine (EM) more often than CM (87% vs 61%, p < 0.001). We found that many CM patients were not properly managed or referred to specialists, in contrast to guidelines recommendations. The main tools used by primary-care physicians included clinical interview, anamnesis guide, and patient diary. Tools used at the first visit differed from those used at follow-up visits. Up to 82% of GPs reported being responsible for management of patients diagnosed with disabling or CM and did not refer them to a specialist. Even when the GP had reported referring CM patients to a specialist, 97% of them were responsible for their follow-up. Moreover, the treatment prescribed, both acute and preventive, was not in accordance with local and international recommendations. GPs reported that they evaluated the efficacy of the treatment prescribed mainly through patient perception, and the frequency of follow-up visits was not clearly established in the primary care setting. These results suggest that CM is underdiagnosed and undertreated; thereby its management is suboptimal in the primary care. There is a need of guidance in the primary care setting to both leverage the management of CM patients and earlier referral to specialists, when appropriate