Continuous Plasma density measurement in TJ-II infrared interferometer-Advanced signal processing based on FPGAs

This work presents the behavioral simulation in an FPGA of a novel processing system for measuring line average electronic density in the TJ-II stellarator diagnostic, Infra-Red Two-Color Interferometer. Line average electronic density is proportional to phase difference between probing and reference signals of the interferometer, as the Appleton–Hartree cold plasma model states. The novelty of the approach is the development of a real time measuring system where research work has been carried out in two ways: a new interpolation algorithm and the implementation of a new specific processor on an FPGA. The main goal of this new system is to measure line plasma electronic density for several channels in real time, also it will be useful to eliminate intermediate mixing frequency stages (the output signals coming from the interferometer are going to be directly sampled) and finally to generate real time density signals for control purposes in TJ-II and in other diagnostics. This device is intended to be the new data acquisition-processing system for the future six channel infrared interferometer that requires at least 14 input signals. The knowledge acquired could be useful in the design of W7-X and ITER IR-interferometer data acquisition and processing systems

Influence of light intensity on plasma melatonin and locomotor activity rhythms in tench

©2005. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This document is the Accepted version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Chronobiology International: The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research.Melatonin production by the pineal organ is influenced by light intensity, as has been described in most vertebrate species, in which melatonin is considered a synchronizer of circadian rhythms. In the case of tench, strict nocturnal activity rhythms have been described although the role of melatonin has not been clarified. In this study we investigated daily activity and melatonin rhythms under 12:12 light-dark (LD) conditions with two different light intensities (58.6 and 1091µW/cm2 ), and the effect of one hour broad spectrum white light pulses of different intensities (3.3, 5.3, 10.5, 1091.4 µW/cm2 ) applied at mid darkness (MD) on nocturnal circulating melatonin. The results showed that plasma melatonin in tench under LD 12:12 and high light conditions displayed a rhythmic variation, where values at MD (255.8 ± 65.9 pg/ml) were higher than at mid light (ML) (70.7 ± 31.9 pg/ml). Such a difference between MD and ML values was reduced in animals exposed to LD 12:12 and low light intensity. The application of one hour light pulses at MD lowered plasma melatonin to 111.6 ± 3.2 pg/ml (in the 3.3-10.5 µW/cm2 range) and to 61.8 ± 18.3 pg/ml (with the 1091.4 µW/cm2 light pulse) and totally suppressed nocturnal locomotor activity. These results showed that melatonin rhythms persisted in tench exposed to low light intensity although the amplitude of the rhythm is affected. In addition, it was observed that light pulses applied at MD affected plasma melatonin content and locomotor activity. Such a low threshold suggests that the melatonin system is capable of transducing light even under dim conditions, which may be used by this nocturnal fish to synchronize to weak night light signals (e.g. moonlight cycles

Modeling Optical and Electronic Properties of Silica Nano-Clusters in Silicon Rich Oxide Films

Quantum effects are very important in nano scale systems such as molecules and clusters constituted of particles from a few to hundreds or a few thousands of atoms. Their optical and electronic properties are often dependent on the size of the systems and the way in which the atoms in these molecules or clusters are bonded. Generally, these nano-structures display optical and electronic properties significantly different of the bulk materials. Silica agglomerates expected in Silicon Rich Oxide (SRO) films have optical properties, which depend directly on size, and their rationalization can lead to new applications with a potential impact on many fields of science and technology. On the other hand, the room temperature photoluminescence (PL) of Si : SiO2 or Si : SiOx structures usually found in SRO has recently generated an enormous interest due to their possible applications in optoelectronic devices. However, the understanding of the emission mechanism is still under debate. In this research, we employed the Density Functional Theory with a functional B3LYP and a basis set 6-31 G* to calculate the electronic and optical properties of molecules and clusters of silicon dioxide. With the theoretical calculation of the structural and optical properties of silicon dioxide clusters is possible to evaluate the contribution of silica in the luminescent emission mechanism experimentally found in thin SRO films. It was found that silica contribution to the luminescent phenomenon in SRO thin films is less important than that of the silicon monoxide agglomerates because the number of silica structures, which may show emission in the visible spectrum, is much lower [1], compared to the number of silicon monoxide structures which emit in this region. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3192

Peatlands in the Toledo Mountains (central Spain): characterisation and conservation status.

We have limited knowledge about the biodiversity and vulnerability of peatlands in the lower-altitude mountains of the Iberian Peninsula, largely because peatlands have not been routinely differentiated from other habitat types in Spain. Understanding is now developing about the ecology of peatlands in central Spain, but they are already under severe threat of conversion and degradation. In this article we describe the results of a field survey and literature review study to characterise and describe the current condition of peatlands in the Toledo Mountains in terms of their typology, the representation of habitat types protected by European (EU) designations, threats, endangered plant species, and conservation status. Our results suggest that the principal threats are overgrazing by domestic animals and ungulates (red deer and wild boar), fire, expansion of cereal crops, drying-out and erosion. Disturbance is most severe in areas that are not protected by nature conservation designations, where peatlands are especially vulnerable to damage arising from human activities

Reading-related Cognitive Deficits in Spanish Developmental Dyslexia

AbstractSpanish-speaking children learn to read words written in a relatively transparent orthography. Variations in orthographic transparency may shape the manifestation of reading difficulties. This study was intended to help clarify the nature of developmental dyslexia in Spanish. Developmentally Dyslexic children (DD) were compared to a chronological age-matched control group (CA). Measures included rapid automated naming, verbal working memory, phonological short-term memory, and phonemic awareness. Results demonstrated that developmental dyslexics show reading-related cognitive deficits in areas such as naming speed, verbal working memory, phonological short-term memory, and phonemic awareness. Our results are consistent with studies conducted in the Spanish language and in other transparent orthographies

Vulnerability and resilience of high-mountain pine forests of the Gredos range (Ávila, Spanish Central System): two thousand years of socio-ecological dynamics

RESUMEN: En este trabajo se presenta el análisis palinológico de la turbera de Pozo de la Nieve, localizada en el Parque Natural del Valle de Iruelas (Ávila), un área de alto valor sociocultural dentro de la Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central). Con el objetivo de relacionar los cambios en el paisaje con la explotación de los recursos naturales y eventos climáticos, en primer lugar se han realizado 7 dataciones radiocarbónicas que sitúan el inicio del registro sedimentario ca. 240 cal BC. Los datos polínicos indican la existencia de un denso pinar altimontano dominado por Pinus sylvestris/nigra desde la Segunda Edad de Hierro hasta el periodo islámico. A partir del periodo cristiano las actividades antrópicas se intensifican, especialmente la ganadería en la Edad Contemporánea, lo cual conlleva la progresiva desaparición del pinar de alta montaña y el desarrollo de pastizales mediante el manejo del fuego, situación que culmina con el desarrollo del paisaje actual dominado por piornales pirófilos.ABSTRACT: We present the palynological study of Pozo de la Nieve peat bog, located in a very valuable socio-cultural placement within the Iruelas Valley Natural Park (Gredos range, Iberian Central System). We have focused in relating landscape changes to natural resources management and climatic events. Firstly, we carried out seven radiocarbon dates suggesting the origin of this record ca. 240 cal BC. The palynological data show the existence of dense high-mountain pine woodlands dominated by Pinus sylvestris/nigra from the Late Iron Age to the Muslim period. Later, from the Christian period, anthropogenic activities have intensified, especially livestock grazing in the Contemporary Age. Its consequences are the progressive disappearance of highmountain pine forests and the extension of grasslands by means of fire, which has shaped current landscape dominated by broom communities.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el proyecto Desirè-HAR2013-43701-P (Plan Nacional I+D+I, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España). Sebastián Pérez Díaz está financiado por el Programa Estatal de Promoción del Talento y su Empleabilidad en I+D+i en la modalidad Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación. Mónica Ruiz Alonso está financiada por el Programa Estatal de Promoción del Talento y su Empleabilidad en I+D+i en la modalidad Juan de la Cierva-Formación

Sistema de programación y control automático de un riego por goteo subterráneo en un cultivo de olivar

En esta comunicación se presenta un nuevo sistema de programación y control automático del riego por goteo subterráneo para un cultivo de olivar ecológico de una finca situada en el T.M. de Tabernas en Almería (España) y propiedad de la empresa Rafael Alonso Aguilera S.L. La finca se riega mediante un novedoso sistema de riego subterráneo patentado por esta empresa. El sistema de control propuesto está basado en el establecimiento de un balance hídrico diario en el en el sistema suelo-planta a partir de la estimación de las necesidades de riego del cultivo en tiempo real a partir de los datos climáticos medidos en tiempo real a partir de una estación agroclimática. Se presentan también los resultados de la evaluación del funcionamiento del sistema a lo largo de un periodo de 5 años y se analiza el ahorro de agua proporcionado por la combinación del sistema de control del riego y del método de riego subterráneo