Time-Delayed transfer functions simulations for LMXBs

Recent works (Steeghs & Casares 2002, Casares et al. 2003, Hynes et al. 2003) have demonstrated that Bowen flourescence is a very efficient tracer of the companion star in LMXBs. We present a numerical code to simulate time-delayed transfer functions in LMXBs, specific to the case of reprocessing in emission lines. The code is also able to obtain geometrical and binary parameters by fitting observed (X-ray + optical) light curves using simulated annealing methods. In this work we present the geometrical model for the companion star and the analytical model for the disc and show synthetic time-delay transfer functions for different orbital phases and system parameters.Comment: Contribution presented at the conference "Interacting Binaries: Accretion, Evolution and Outcomes", held in Cefalu, Sicily (Italy) in July 2004. To be published by AIP (American Institute of Physics), eds. L. A. Antonelli, L. Burderi, F. D'Antona, T. Di Salvo, G.L. Israel, L. Piersanti, O. Straniero, A. Tornambe. 4 pages, 4 figure

Are smokers 'hardening' or rather 'softening'? An ecological and multilevel analysis across 28 European Union countries

Background: tobacco control policies can reduce smoking prevalence. These measures may be less effective where smoking prevalence has significantly declined, as the remaining smokers have 'hardened'. Our aim was to empirically evaluate the 'hardening hypothesis' at the population level in the European Union (EU) and explore factors associated with hardcore smoking. Methods: we conducted two separate analyses in the EU using data on smoking from the Eurobarometer surveys (2009-2017, n=112 745). 1) A panel-data fixed-effects linear regression to investigate changes over time in the percentage of hardcore smokers in relation to standardised smoking prevalence at the country level. 2) A multilevel logistic regression analysis with hardcore (daily smokers, ≥15 cigarettes per day who have not attempted to quit in the last 12 months) or light (<5 cigarettes per day) smoking as the dependent variable and time as the main independent variable, controlling for individual and ecological variables. Results: we studied 29 010 current smokers (43.8% hardcore smokers and 14.7% light smokers). The prevalence of hardcore smoking among adult smokers increased by 0.55 (95% CI 0.14-0.96) percentage points per each additional percentage point in the overall smoking prevalence. The odds of being a hardcore smoker increased over time and were higher in middle-aged males and people with financial difficulties, while the odds of being a light smoker significantly declined among females. Conclusion: this study does not support the 'hardening hypothesis' in the EU between 2009 and 2017, but suggests a softening of the smoking population. Existing tobacco control policies are likely to be suitable to further decrease smoking prevalence in Europe

Exciton Gas Compression and Metallic Condensation in a Single Semiconductor Quantum Wire

We study the metal-insulator transition in individual self-assembled quantum wires and report optical evidences of metallic liquid condensation at low temperatures. Firstly, we observe that the temperature and power dependence of the single nanowire photoluminescence follow the evolution expected for an electron-hole liquid in one dimension. Secondly, we find novel spectral features that suggest that in this situation the expanding liquid condensate compresses the exciton gas in real space. Finally, we estimate the critical density and critical temperature of the phase transition diagram at $n_c\sim1\times10^5$ cm$^{-1}$ and $T_c\sim35$ K, respectively.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Biodegradation and biological treatments of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin: an overview

In nature, cellulose, lignocellulose and lignin are major sources of plant biomass; therefore, their recycling is indispensable for the carbon cycle. Each polymer is degraded by a variety of microorganisms which produce a battery of enzymes that work synergically. In the near future, processes that use lignocellulolytic enzymes or are based on microorganisms could lead to new, environmentally friendly technologies. This study reviews recent advances in the various biological treatments that can turn these three lignicellulose biopolymers into alternative fuels. In addition, biotechnological innovations based on natural delignification and applied to pulp and paper manufacture are also outlined

A search for evidence of irradiation in Centaurus X-4 during quiescence

We present a study of the neutron star X-Ray Transient Cen X-4. Our aim is to look for any evidence of irradiation of the companion with a detailed analysis of its radial velocity curve, relative contribution of the donor star and Doppler tomography of the main emission lines. To improve our study all our data are compared with a set of simulations that consider different physical parameters of the system, like the disc aperture angle and the mass ratio. We conclude that neither the radial velocity curve nor the orbital variation of the relative donor's contribution to the total flux are affected by irradiation. On the other hand, we do see emission from the donor star at H${\alpha}$ and HeI 5876 which we tentatively attribute to irradiation effects. In particular, the H${\alpha}$ emission from the companion is clearly asymmetric and we suggest is produced by irradiation from the hot-spot. Finally, from the velocity of the HeI 5876 spot we constrain the disc opening angle to alpha=7-14 deg.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&A as a R

X-ray microtomography analysis of the damage micromechanisms in 3D woven composites under low-velocity impact

3D woven composites reinforced with either S2 glass, carbon or a hybrid combination of both and containing either polyethylene or carbon z-yarns were tested under low-velocity impact. Different impact energies (in the range of 21–316 J) were used and the mechanical response (in terms of the impact strength and energy dissipated) was compared with that measured in high-performance, albeit standard, 2D laminates. It was found that the impact strength in both 2D and 3D materials was mainly dependent on the in-plane fiber fracture. Conversely, the energy absorption capability was primarily influenced by the presence of z-yarns, having the 3D composites dissipated over twice the energy than the 2D laminates, irrespective of their individual characteristics (fiber type, compaction degree, porosity, etc.). X-ray microtomography revealed that this improvement was due to the z-yarns, which delayed delamination and maintained the structural integrity of the laminate, promoting energy dissipation by tow splitting, intensive fiber breakage under the tup and formation of a plug by out-of-plane shear

Oportunidades y retos para el platino colombiano: un análisis geopolítico

The paper aims to analyze, within the framework of the mining industry in Colombia, the technical and technological opportunities of platinum; from the geopolitical scenario of this mineral, the challenges faced by the mining of nonrenewable minerals in Colombia, especially when such a process has been surrounded by an environment of insecurity and instability within this country. Both elements, the technical and the geopolitical, are keys in order to study the potential opportunities for Colombia in the mining industry.El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar, en el marco de la minería en Colombia, las oportunidades tanto desde el ámbito técnico y tecnológico que tiene el platino, como también desde el escenario geopolítico de este mineral, los potenciales retos que la explotación de los minerales no renovables en Colombia, en particular cuando alrededor de este tipo de explotación se ha construido un escenario de inseguridad e inestabilidad para el país. Estos dos elementos, el técnico y el geopolítico, son clave&nbsp; al momento de analizar los escenarios potenciales para Colombia en el sector de la explotación minera

In silico molecular studies of antiophidic properties of the amazonian tree Cordia nodosa Lam

We carried out surveys on the use of Cordia nodosa Lam. in the jungles of Bobonaza (Ecuador). We documented this knowledge to prevent its loss under the Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol. We conducted bibliographic research and identified quercetrin as a significant bioactive molecule. We studied its in silico biological activity. The selected methodology was virtual docking experiments with the proteins responsible for the venomous action of snakes. The molecular structures of quercetrin and 21 selected toxins underwent corresponding tests with SwissDock and Chimera software. The results point to support its antiophidic use. They show reasonable geometries and a binding free energy of −7 to −10.03 kcal/mol. The most favorable values were obtained for the venom of the Asian snake Naja atra (5Z2G, −10.03 kcal/mol). Good results were also obtained from the venom of the Latin American Bothrops pirajai (3CYL, −9.71 kcal/mol) and that of Ecuadorian Bothrops asper snakes (5TFV, −9.47 kcal/mol) and Bothrops atrox (5TS5, −9.49 kcal/mol). In the 5Z2G and 5TS5 L-amino acid oxidases, quercetrin binds in a pocket adjacent to the FAD cofactor, while in the myotoxic homologues of PLA2, 3CYL and 5TFV, it joins in the hydrophobic channel formed when oligomerizing, in the first one similar to α-tocopherol. This study presents a case demonstration of the potential of bioinformatic tools in the validation process of ethnobotanical phytopharmaceuticals and how in silico methods are becoming increasingly useful for sustainable drug discover

Astrophysical S17(0) factor extraction from breakup of 8B on 58Ni at energies near the Coulomb barrier

We have performed continuum-discretized coupled channels (CDCC) calculations of the breakup of 8B on 58Ni and direct proton transfer for the 8B+58Ni system at laboratory energies of 20-28.4 MeV. The influence of the 7Be core-target optical potential (OP) on the breakup cross section was investigated. Elastic scattering angular distributions for the 7Be+58Ni and 8B+58Ni systems at five different energies around the Coulomb barrier were studied, and a reasonable energy-independent OP for each system was obtained. Using these OPs and two different 7Be-p relative motion wave functions, and summing breakup and direct proton transfer contributions, we were able to fit the experimental cross section at a 8B laboratory energy of 25.75 MeV. We calculated the excitation function for the 7Be emission in the 8B+58Ni reaction, where 7Be products were measured at the forward angle θlab=45° in the energy interval Elab=20-28.4 MeV. In view of the peripheral character of the B8 breakup reaction at near-barrier energies, we could extract the asymptotic normalization coefficient for the 7Be-p system, which was found to be CBe-p,p3/22=0.543±0.027 fm-1. Finally, the astrophysical S17(0) factor was found to be S17(0)=20.8±1.1 eV b.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación FPA2006-13807-c02-01Programa Consolider-Ingenio 2010 CSD2007-0004

Efficacy of psychosocial intervention in the comprehensive care of persons with advanced disease.

Objetivos: Demostrar la efectividad de la intervención psicosocial en la atención integral a personas con enfermedades avanzadas. Método: Se ha evaluado la presencia y evolución de parámetros psicológicos y espirituales de 8.964 pacientes, visitados por 117 profesionales de 29 equipos en un estudio de diseño cuasi-experimental, prospectivo, multcéntrico de un solo grupo pre-test post-test. Resultados: Los resultados muestran mejoras significativas en parámetros como ansiedad (RL 657,64; p&lt;0,001), malestar emociona (RL 757,44; p&lt;0,001), sentido de la vida (RL 248,30; p&lt;0,001) y sentimientos de paz y perdón (RL 190,94; p&lt;0,001). Conclusiones: El efecto positivo de la intervención psicosocial en la reducción de los parámetros psicológicos y espirituales evaluados sugiere que esta es eficaz en el contexto de la atención a personas con enfermedades avanzadas.Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of psychosocial intervention in the comprehensive care of persons with advanced diseases. Methods: Presence and evolution of psychological and spiritual parameters have been evaluated in 8964 patients, attended by 117 professionals of 29 teams in a near experimental designed, prospective, and multi centric related to a single group pre and post test study. Results: Results show meaningful improvements in parameters such as: anxiety (RL 657.64 p&lt;0.001), emotional distress (RL 757.44; p&lt;0.001), meaning of life (RL 248.30; p&lt;0.001) and peace and forgiveness feelings (RL 190.94; p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: The positive effect of psychosocial intervention in reducing psychological and spiritual evaluated parameters suggests its effectiveness in the care given to people with advanced diseases