Quantum Mechanical Corrections to the Schwarzschild Black Hole Metric

Motivated by quantum mechanical corrections to the Newtonian potential, which can be translated into an $\hbar$-correction to the $g_{00}$ component of the Schwarzschild metric, we construct a quantum mechanically corrected metric assuming $-g_{00}=g^{rr}$. We show how the Bekenstein black hole entropy $S$ receives its logarithmic contribution provided the quantum mechanical corrections to the metric are negative. In this case the standard horizon at the Schwarzschild radius $r_S$ increases by small terms proportional to $\hbar$ and a remnant of the order of Planck mass emerges. We contrast these results with a positive correction to the metric which, apart from a corrected Schwarzschild horizon, leads to a new purely quantum mechanical horizon.Comment: 14 pages Latex, enlarged version as compared to the published on

Wavelets: a powerful tool for studying rotation, activity, and pulsation in Kepler and CoRoT stellar light curves

Aims. The wavelet transform has been used as a powerful tool for treating several problems in astrophysics. In this work, we show that the time-frequency analysis of stellar light curves using the wavelet transform is a practical tool for identifying rotation, magnetic activity, and pulsation signatures. We present the wavelet spectral composition and multiscale variations of the time series for four classes of stars: targets dominated by magnetic activity, stars with transiting planets, those with binary transits, and pulsating stars. Methods. We applied the Morlet wavelet (6th order), which offers high time and frequency resolution. By applying the wavelet transform to the signal, we obtain the wavelet local and global power spectra. The first is interpreted as energy distribution of the signal in time-frequency space, and the second is obtained by time integration of the local map. Results. Since the wavelet transform is a useful mathematical tool for nonstationary signals, this technique applied to Kepler and CoRoT light curves allows us to clearly identify particular signatures for different phenomena. In particular, patterns were identified for the temporal evolution of the rotation period and other periodicity due to active regions affecting these light curves. In addition, a beat-pattern signature in the local wavelet map of pulsating stars over the entire time span was also detected.Comment: Accepted for publication on A&

Catálogo de la flora vascular del Cerro del Toruño (Comarca de Los Alcores, Alcalá de Guadaíra, Sevilla)

Situado en la comarca de Los Alcores, el Cerro del Toruño es un cabezo calcarenítico incluido en el área metropolitana de Sevilla. Se encuentra protegido por la normativa provincial por el valor y naturalidad de su vegetación. El objetivo del presente estudio es la catalogación de su flora y su puesta en valor como reducto de vegetación natural en un paisaje fuertemente antropizado. Se han inventariado un total de 351 especies, 324 de ellas autóctonas, de las que tres están recogidas en la lista roja andaluza. El catálogo incluye 4 novedades corológicas de especies nativas a nivel provincial y 16 a nivel comarcal. La diversidad encontrada en la zona de estudio es comparable a la de zonas cercanas, dada la heterogeneidad de sus hábitats. Se comentan brevemente las comunidades vegetales de acebuchar, palmitar y matorral xerófilo sobre roquedos calcareníticos, en las que se ha observado un mejor grado de conservación. Finalmente se discute la importancia biogeográfica de los Alcores como isla edáfica tanto para especies calcícolas como psammófilas y litorales, dado el carácter mayoritariamente arcilloso de la Depresión del Guadalquivir.Checklist of vascular flora of the Toruño hill (Alcores region, Alcalá de Guadaira, Seville). Located in Los Alcores region, the Cerro del Toruño is a calcarenitic hill included in Sevilla’s metropolitan area. It is protected by provincial regulations due to the value and naturalness of its vegetation. The aim of this study is to catalogue its flora and highlight its importance as a patch of relict natural vegetation within a strongly anthropic landscape. We recorded 351 species, of which 324 are native and three included in the Andalusian red list. The checklist includes 4 new chorological records at the provincial level and 16 at the regional level. Species diversity is comparable to nearby areas, given its habitat heterogeneity. The wild olive copse, Mediterranean fan palm formations, and xerophilous scrublands on calcarenitic rocks display a better conservation situation and are briefly commented. Finally, we discuss the biogeographic importance of Los Alcores region as an edaphic island, surrounded by the mostly clayey Guadalquivir valley, for calcicolous and coastal sand species

Efficient low-power terahertz generation via on-chip triply-resonant nonlinear frequency mixing

Achieving efficient terahertz (THz) generation using compact turn-key sources operating at room temperature and modest power levels represents one of the critical challeges that must be overcome to realize truly practical applications based on THz. Up to now, the most efficient approaches to THz generation at room temperature -- relying mainly on optical rectification schemes -- require intricate phase-matching set-ups and powerful lasers. Here we show how the unique light-confining properties of triply-resonant photonic resonators can be tailored to enable dramatic enhancements of the conversion efficiency of THz generation via nonlinear frequency down-conversion processes. We predict that this approach can be used to reduce up to three orders of magnitude the pump powers required to reach quantum-limited conversion efficiency of THz generation in nonlinear optical material systems. Furthermore, we propose a realistic design readily accesible experimentally, both for fabrication and demonstration of optimal THz conversion efficiency at sub-W power levels

Partioning of dietary energy of chickens fed maize or wheat-based diets with and without a commercial blend of phytogenic feed additives

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a standardized mixture of a commercial blend of phytogenic feed additives containing 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde, and 2% capsicum on utilization of dietary energy and performance in broiler chickens. Four experimental diets were offered to the birds from 7 to 21 d of age. These included 2 basal control diets based on either wheat or maize that contained 215 g CP/kg and 12.13 MJ/kg ME and another 2 diets using the basal control diets supplemented with the plant extracts combination at 100 mg/kg diet. Each diet was fed to 16 individually penned birds following randomization. Dietary plant extracts improved feed intake and weight gain (P 0.05) but improved (P < 0.05) dietary NE by reducing the heat increment (P < 0.05) per kilogram feed intake. Feeding phytogenics improved (P < 0.05) total carcass energy retention and the efficiency of dietary ME for carcass energy retention. The number of interactions between type of diet and supplementary phytogenic feed additive suggest that the chemical composition and the energy to protein ratio of the diet may influence the efficiency of phytogenics when fed to chickens. The experiment showed that although supplementary phytogenic additives did not affect dietary ME, they caused a significant improvement in the utilization of dietary energy for carcass energy retention but this did not always relate to growth performance

Gamma-rays from Type Ia supernova SN2014J

The whole set of INTEGRAL observations of type Ia supernova SN2014J, covering the period 19-162 days after the explosion has being analyzed. For spectral fitting the data are split into "early" and "late" periods covering days 19-35 and 50-162, respectively, optimized for $^{56}$Ni and $^{56}$Co lines. As expected for the early period much of the gamma-ray signal is confined to energies below $\sim$200 keV, while for the late period it is most strong above 400 keV. In particular, in the late period $^{56}$Co lines at 847 and 1248 keV are detected at 4.7 and 4.3 $\sigma$ respectively. The lightcurves in several representative energy bands are calculated for the entire period. The resulting spectra and lightcurves are compared with a subset of models. We confirm our previous finding that the gamma-ray data are broadly consistent with the expectations for canonical 1D models, such as delayed detonation or deflagration models for a near-Chandrasekhar mass WD. Late optical spectra (day 136 after the explosion) show rather symmetric Co and Fe lines profiles, suggesting that unless the viewing angle is special, the distribution of radioactive elements is symmetric in the ejecta.Comment: 21 pages, 16 figures, accepted by Ap

Mathematical Models for Estimating the Risk of vCJD Transmission

We present two different simple models for vCJD transmission by blood transfusion. Both models indicate that transfusions alone are unlikely to cause more than a few infections, unless the number of primary cases increases. To improve our models, future work should pursue data collection, empirical estimation of the model parameters, and examination of the underlying assumptions of our frameworks. Further improvements could also include examining susceptibility to vCJD infection by age group and iatrogenic infections introduced through surgical instruments. Regarding the latter, it may be worthwhile to conduct experiments to quantify the transmission of prions from an infected surgical instrument after repeated sterilization procedures

Modular multilevel matrix converter as solid state transformer for medium and high voltage substations

The use of power converters as solid state transformer is an attractive solution to modernize the power network, but this solution has not been fully addressed for MV and HV substations. This paper presents a customized and simple control for the Modular Multilevel Matrix Converter (M3C), specially conceived for its operation on synchronous ports, which is the case of AC substations. The control allows to transfer bidirectional active power, generate/absorb reactive power and provide ancillary services. The converter is compared to the back-to-back Modular Multilevel Converter (B2B-MMC) where the key performance indicators to carry out the comparison are power efficiency, number of semiconductor devices, passive components required, footprint, voltage cell balance, fault blocking capability and stress of components. The simulation results show the features, performance and attractiveness of the M3C topology in a 33/11 kV, 16 MW substation under different operating conditions, including grid faults and dynamic operation. The M3C presents similar efficiency and performance than the B2B-MMC, but it uses less semiconductor devices, passive components and total cell capacitor energy than the B2B-MMC, reducing cost and footprint. The experimental results show the performance of the M3C under less ideal conditions including a substation transformer saturation and power step response

Rotura cuadricipital en edad pediátrica

La rotura del tendón del cuádriceps es una patología característica de la edad adulta, siendo excepcional en la infancia. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 9 años con una gonalgia izquierda de 2 meses de evolución sin claro antecedente traumático. Se realiza Resonancia Magnética, que establece el diagnóstico de rotura parcial del tendón del cuádriceps. Se decide reanclaje del mismo en el polo superior de la rótula, seguido de rehabilitación. Después del tratamiento quirúrgico realizado el paciente recupera el balance articular y muscular. La rotura del tendón del cuádriceps es excepcional en la edad pediátrica. La realización de una buena exploración, tanto clínica como radiológica es fundamental. El tratamiento viene determinado por el tipo de rotura y la clínica asociada. Hemos realizado una revisión bibliográfica de la literatura con el fin de dar a conocer este tipo de patología y su manejo.Rupture of the quadriceps tendon is a common pathology in adults, but exceptionally rare in children. The case reported is that of a 9-year old boy with a 2-month history of pain in the left knee without any clear history of trauma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging study was carried out, leading to the diagnosis of partial tear of the left quadricipital tendon. The tendon was re-anchored at the upper pole of the patella, followed by rehabilitation. The patient recovered joint and muscular balance after the surgery. Rupture of the quadriceps tendon is exceptionally rare at pediatric ages. A thorough examination, both clinical as well as radiological, is of fundamental importance. Treatment is determined by the kind of rupture and associated clinical symptoms. We have carried out a bibliographical review of the literature in order to offer a better understanding of this pathology and its treatment