Weak value amplification: a view from quantum estimation theory that highlights what it is and what isn't

Weak value amplification (WVA) is a concept that has been extensively used in a myriad of applications with the aim of rendering measurable tiny changes of a variable of interest. In spite of this, there is still an on-going debate about its true nature and whether is really needed for achieving high sensitivity. Here we aim at solving the puzzle, using some basic concepts from quantum estimation theory, highlighting what the use of the WVA concept can offer and what it can not. While WVA cannot be used to go beyond some fundamental sensitivity limits that arise from considering the full nature of the quantum states, WVA can notwithstanding enhance the sensitivity of real detection schemes that are limited by many other things apart from the quantum nature of the states involved, i.e. technical noise. Importantly, it can do that in a straightforward and easily accessible manner.Comment: 2 pages, 5 figure

How to automate a kinematic mount using a 3D printed Arduino-based system

We demonstrate a simple, flexible and cost-effective system to automatize most of the kinematic mounts available nowadays on the market. It combines 3D printed components, an Arduino board, stepper motors, and simple electronics. The system developed can control independently and simultaneously up to ten stepper motors using commands sent through the serial port, and it is suitable for applications where optical realignment using flat mirrors is required on a periodic basis.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Optical sectioning in induced coherence tomography with frequency-entangled photons

We demonstrate a different scheme to perform optical sectioning of a sample based on the concept of induced coherence [Zou et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 318 (1991)]. This can be viewed as a different type of optical coherence tomography scheme where the varying reflectivity of the sample along the direction of propagation of an optical beam translates into changes of the degree of first-order coherence between two beams. As a practical advantage the scheme allows probing the sample with one wavelength and measuring photons with another wavelength. In a bio-imaging scenario, this would result in a deeper penetration into the sample because of probing with longer wavelengths, while still using the optimum wavelength for detection. The scheme proposed here could achieve submicron axial resolution by making use of nonlinear parametric sources with broad spectral bandwidth emission.Comment: Published version. 11 pages, 9 figure

Tunable beam displacer

We report the implementation of a tunable beam displacer, composed of a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) and two mirrors, that divides an initially polarized beam into two parallel beams whose separation can be continuously tuned. The two output beams are linearly polarized with either vertical or horizontal polarization and no optical path difference is introduced between them. The wavelength dependence of the device as well as the maximum separation between the beams achievable is limited mainly by the PBS characteristics.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Reporte del caso: embarazo con éxito en una paciente con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis

En la última década, mejores resultados han sido obtenidos en los embarazos de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en diá- lisis. La mayoría de ellos alcanzan más de las 20 semanas de gestación y casi cuatro de cinco productos nacen vivos; sin embargo, la tasa de productos pretérmino y la enfermedad hipertensiva en el embarazo, siguen siendo las complicaciones más frecuentes en este tipo de pacientes. Por tal razón, es importante que nefrólogos, obstetras, neonatólogos y enfermeras participen en el tratamiento de las pacientes antes, durante y después del parto, además de disponer de técnicas dialíticas más eficientes y un cuidado avanzado de los neonatos, con lo cual se aseguraría que un mayor número de pacientes puedan lograr y mantener una gestación con éxito en fase avanzada de la enfermedad renal crónica o en diálisis. A continuación se reporta el caso de una paciente atendida en el Instituto del Riñón y Diálisis quien cursa su primer embarazo, evolucionó favorablemente con un manejo médico multidisciplinario y la prescripción de una dosis óptima de diálisis.

A new risk reduction indicator for dam safety management combining efficiency and equity principles

[EN] Large dams are critical infrastructures whose failure could produce high economic and social consequences. Risk analysis has been shown to be a suitable methodology to assess these risks and to inform dam safety management. In this sense, risk reduction indicators are a useful tool to manage risk results, yielding potential prioritisation sequences of investments in dams portfolios. Risk management is usually informed by two basic principles: efficiency and equity. These two principles many times conflict, requiring a tradeoff between optimising the expenditures and providing a high level of protection to all individuals. In this paper, the risk reduction indicator Equity Weighted Adjusted Cost per Statistical Life Saved (EWACSLS) is presented. This indicator allows obtaining prioritisation sequences of investments while maintaining an equilibrium between equity and efficiency principles. In order to demonstrate its usefulness, it has been applied in a real-world case study, a portfolio of 27 dams where 93 structural and non-structural investments are prioritised. The EWACSLS indicator is analysed in detail and its results are compared with other existing risk reduction indicators, showing its flexibility and how it can be a very well balanced indicator for the purpose of prioritisation of risk reduction measures.This paper was published with the support of the research project ‘INICIA’ (Methodology for Assessing Investments on Water Cycle Infrastructures informed on Risk and Energy Efficiency Indicators, BIA2013-48157-C2- 1-R, 2014-2016); co-funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ‘Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad’ (Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad); and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).Serrano Lombillo, AJ.; Morales Torres, A.; Escuder Bueno, I.; Altarejos García, L. (2016). A new risk reduction indicator for dam safety management combining efficiency and equity principles. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering. 13(9):1157-1166. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2016.1245762S11571166139Blackorby, C., & Donaldson, D. (1977). Utility vs equity. Journal of Public Economics, 7(3), 365-381. doi:10.1016/0047-2727(77)90055-xBleichrodt, H. (1997). Health utility indices and equity considerations. Journal of Health Economics, 16(1), 65-91. doi:10.1016/s0167-6296(96)00508-5De Blaeij, A., Florax, R. J. G. ., Rietveld, P., & Verhoef, E. (2003). The value of statistical life in road safety: a meta-analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 35(6), 973-986. doi:10.1016/s0001-4575(02)00105-7(2001). The Economic Journal, 111(471). doi:10.1111/ecoj.2001.111.issue-471Dolan, P. (1998). The measurement of individual utility and social welfare. Journal of Health Economics, 17(1), 39-52. doi:10.1016/s0167-6296(97)00022-2Dundar, H. (1999). Equity, quality and efficiency effects of reform in Turkish higher education. Higher Education Policy, 12(4), 343-366. doi:10.1016/s0952-8733(99)00016-1Jonkman, S. N., van Gelder, P. H. A. J. M., & Vrijling, J. K. (2003). An overview of quantitative risk measures for loss of life and economic damage. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 99(1), 1-30. doi:10.1016/s0304-3894(02)00283-2Joshi, N. N., & Lambert, J. H. (2007). Equity Metrics With Risk, Performance, and Cost Objectives for the Prioritization of Transportation Projects. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 54(3), 539-547. doi:10.1109/tem.2007.900790(1997). Risk Analysis, 17(4). doi:10.1111/risk.1997.17.issue-4Khadam, I. M., & Kaluarachchi, J. J. (2003). Multi-criteria decision analysis with probabilistic risk assessment for the management of contaminated ground water. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 23(6), 683-721. doi:10.1016/s0195-9255(03)00117-3Linnerooth-Bayer, J., & Amendola, A. (2000). Global Change, Natural Disasters and Loss-sharing: Issues of Efficiency and Equity. Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, 25(2), 203-219. doi:10.1111/1468-0440.00060(1999). Economic Inquiry, 37(4). doi:10.1111/ecin.1999.37.issue-4Morales-Torres, A., Serrano-Lombillo, A., Escuder-Bueno, I., & Altarejos-García, L. (2016). The suitability of risk reduction indicators to inform dam safety management. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 1-12. doi:10.1080/15732479.2015.1136830(2011). Risk Analysis, 31(6). doi:10.1111/risk.2011.31.issue-6Stewart, M. G., & Mueller, J. (2008). A risk and cost-benefit assessment of United States aviation security measures. Journal of Transportation Security, 1(3), 143-159. doi:10.1007/s12198-008-0013-0Yamano, N., & Ohkawara, T. (2000). The Regional Allocation of Public Investment: Efficiency or Equity? Journal of Regional Science, 40(2), 205-229. doi:10.1111/0022-4146.0017

The suitability of risk reduction indicators to inform dam safety management

[EN] Risk analysis can provide very suitable and useful information to manage the safety of critical civil infrastructures. Indeed, results of quantitative risk models can be used to inform prioritisation of safety investments on infrastructures' assets and portfolios. In order to inform this prioritisation, a series of risk reduction indicators can be used. This paper reviews existing indicators for dam safety, tracks how equity and efficiency principles are captured, propose additional indicators and provides insights into how tolerability guidelines and benefit-cost analysis can also play a role in decision-making. All reviewed, analysed and/or combined indicators are later applied in a case study, a portfolio of 27 dams where 93 structural and non-structural investments are prioritised. The case study shows that prioritisation sequences based on risk model results provide suitable and useful information, acknowledging that other concerns may be conditioning decision-making processes. With the results of the case study, a full comparison between all studied risk reduction indicators is made, and three indexes are calculated for all of them to measure how close they are to a theoretical best.The Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) has supported the work described in this paper through the research project entitled IPRESARA (Incorporating man-made risk components into general dam risk management [BIA 2010-17852]) within the period 2011-2013 and the project INICIA (Methodology for assessing investments on water cycle infrastructures informed on risk and energy efficiency indicators [BIA 2013-48157-C2-1-R]) within the period 2014-2016.Morales Torres, A.; Serrano Lombillo, AJ.; Escuder Bueno, I.; Altarejos García, L. (2016). The suitability of risk reduction indicators to inform dam safety management. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering. 12(11):1465-1476. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2015.1136830S146514761211Ayyub, B. M., McGill, W. L., & Kaminskiy, M. (2007). Critical Asset and Portfolio Risk Analysis: An All-Hazards Framework. Risk Analysis, 27(4), 789-801. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.2007.00911.xBaecher, G. B., Paté, M. E., & De Neufville, R. (1980). Risk of dam failure in benefit-cost analysis. Water Resources Research, 16(3), 449-456. doi:10.1029/wr016i003p00449Bohnenblust, H. (1998). Risk-Based Decision Making in the Transportation Sector. Quantified Societal Risk and Policy Making, 132-153. doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-2801-9_14Bottelberghs, P. . (2000). Risk analysis and safety policy developments in the Netherlands. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 71(1-3), 59-84. doi:10.1016/s0304-3894(99)00072-2De Blaeij, A., Florax, R. J. G. ., Rietveld, P., & Verhoef, E. (2003). The value of statistical life in road safety: a meta-analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 35(6), 973-986. doi:10.1016/s0001-4575(02)00105-7Ellingwood, B. R. (2005). Risk-informed condition assessment of civil infrastructure: state of practice and research issues. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 1(1), 7-18. doi:10.1080/15732470412331289341Figueira, J., Greco, S., & Ehrogott, M. (2005). Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis: State of the Art Surveys. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science. doi:10.1007/b100605Jonkman, S. N., Jongejan, R., & Maaskant, B. (2010). The Use of Individual and Societal Risk Criteria Within the Dutch Flood Safety Policy-Nationwide Estimates of Societal Risk and Policy Applications. Risk Analysis, 31(2), 282-300. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01502.xJonkman, S. N., van Gelder, P. H. A. J. M., & Vrijling, J. K. (2003). An overview of quantitative risk measures for loss of life and economic damage. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 99(1), 1-30. doi:10.1016/s0304-3894(02)00283-2Joshi, N. N., & Lambert, J. H. (2007). Equity Metrics With Risk, Performance, and Cost Objectives for the Prioritization of Transportation Projects. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 54(3), 539-547. doi:10.1109/tem.2007.900790Kabir, G., Sadiq, R., & Tesfamariam, S. (2013). A review of multi-criteria decision-making methods for infrastructure management. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 10(9), 1176-1210. doi:10.1080/15732479.2013.795978Kaplan, S. (1997). The Words of Risk Analysis. Risk Analysis, 17(4), 407-417. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.1997.tb00881.xKeeney, R. L., & Raiffa, H. (1993). Decisions with Multiple Objectives. doi:10.1017/cbo9781139174084Khadam, I. M., & Kaluarachchi, J. J. (2003). Multi-criteria decision analysis with probabilistic risk assessment for the management of contaminated ground water. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 23(6), 683-721. doi:10.1016/s0195-9255(03)00117-3Lutter, R., Morrall, J. F., & Viscusi, W. K. (1999). THE COST-PER-LIFE-SAVED CUTOFF FOR SAFETY-ENHANCING REGULATIONS. Economic Inquiry, 37(4), 599-608. doi:10.1111/j.1465-7295.1999.tb01450.xRamsberg, J. A. L., & Sjoberg, L. (1997). The Cost-Effectiveness of Lifesaving Interventions in Sweden. Risk Analysis, 17(4), 467-478. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.1997.tb00887.xSaaty, T. L. (1988). What is the Analytic Hierarchy Process? Mathematical Models for Decision Support, 109-121. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-83555-1_5Stewart, M. G., & Mueller, J. (2008). A risk and cost-benefit assessment of United States aviation security measures. Journal of Transportation Security, 1(3), 143-159. doi:10.1007/s12198-008-0013-0Viscusi, W. K., & Aldy, J. E. (2003). Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 27(1), 5-76. doi:10.1023/a:1025598106257Vrijling, J. (1995). A framework for risk evaluation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 43(3), 245-261. doi:10.1016/0304-3894(95)91197-vYamano, N., & Ohkawara, T. (2000). The Regional Allocation of Public Investment: Efficiency or Equity? Journal of Regional Science, 40(2), 205-229. doi:10.1111/0022-4146.0017

Proposal for a preventive protocol for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe adverse reaction experienced by some patients exposed to certain drugs (antiresorptives such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, and antiangiogenic drugs). From a review of the literature it appears that there is no uniform criterion when selecting preventive measures; these vary according to author. Likewise, the measures recommended are usually general, so that in few cases they result in specific actions to be applied depending on the different variables involved such as the type of drug used, the duration of its application, the underlying pathology, the presence or absence of risk factors, etc. The aim of this study has been to design a preventive protocol which can be easily applied in any clinic or by any dental care service. We undertook an exhaustive literature review to find any articles related to the topic of study, namely, preventive measures for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, on the one hand generically and on the other focusing on dental implant treatment. The most part the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. From 3946 items, we selected a total of 21 items. From the analysis of the selected articles, several protocols have been developed that are easy to apply in a dental clinic.: Protocol 1. Before starting treatment with antiresorptives (Patients who are going to be treated for osteoporosis / Patients who are going to be treated for cancer). Protocol 2. Once treatment is initiated with antiresorptives (Patients being treated for osteoporosis / Patients being treated for cancer). The application of these protocols requires an interdisciplinary team which can handle the various treatments and apply the measures contained in them. Along with a team of well-educated and trained dentists, it is equally important to maintain contact with the medical team involved in the treatment of the underlying pathology, especially rheumatologists, oncologists, internists and gynaecologists. All the above requires a great staff learning and organization effort, continuous training and coordination of the whole team involved in the preventive management of these patients

Efecto sinérgico entre sales inorgánicas y γ-Al2O3 para la deshidratación de xilosa a furfural

La biomasa lignocelulósica, con un alto contenido en hemicelulosa, es una de las principales fuentes de pentosas pentosas a partir de las cuales se pueden obtener biocombustibles y productos químicos de alto valor añadido, como el 2-Furfuraldehído (furfural), producido por deshidratación de xilosa mediante catálisis ácida. Se han estudiado diferentes catalizadores sólidos ácidos como alternativa a los ácidos minerales convencionales. Además, el uso de sales inorgánicas para mejorar el rendimiento a furfural, sobre todo en sistemas bifásicos, ha sido previamente recogido en la bibliografía. En este trabajo, se ha estudiado la deshidratación de xilosa a furfural empleando sistemas bifásicos agua:tolueno en presencia de γ-Al2O3 mesoporosa, y se ha evaluado el efecto de la adición de CaCl2 o MgCl2 al medio de reacción sobre el rendimiento en furfural. La γ-Al2O3 es muy activa en la deshidratación de xilosa a furfural a 175ºC, pero los rendimientos no son altos debido a reacciones secundarias (Figura 1). Sin embargo, se ha demostrado previamente que sales alcalinotérreas como el CaCl2 interaccionan con moléculas de glucosa en el medio de reacción, acelerando considerablemente su deshidratación, por lo que sería posible que también influyesen en la deshidratación de xilosa. Por ello, se ha estudiado el efecto del CaCl₂ y MgCl₂, adicionando el mismo número de moles, siendo 0.65 y 0.39 g sal·g.dis.acuosa, respectivamente. Se observa un considerable aumento, tanto de la conversión de xilosa como del rendimiento en furfural al añadir estas sales, siendo máximos (96% y 71%, respectivamente) en el caso del CaCl2, superiores a los alcanzados en presencia de γ-Al2O3.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Conceções e crenças dos professores em formação sobre a matemática e o seu ensino-aprendizagem. Proposta de uma nova metodologia qualitativa

Presentamos una investigación cualitativa cuyo objetivo fue conocer las concepciones y creencias de un grupo de profesores en formación sobre las matemáticas y su enseñanzaaprendizaje. Se utilizó una metodología de análisis de contenido de textos que combinó el análisis de contingencias y las Redes Asociativas Pathfinder empleando como método de recogida de datos la técnica de relatos. En el estudio han participado 30 alumnos, 21 mujeres y 9 hombres, del 2º curso del Grado de Primaria, en la Facultad de Educación de Badajoz. Los resultados indican que esta metodología puede ayudar en la obtención de datos con una mínima intervención por parte del investigador, y que puede ser aplicada a otros sujetos y temas de investigación.We present a qualitative research whose aim was to know the conceptions and beliefs of a group of teachers in training about Mathematics and its teaching and learning. A methodology of content analysis of texts was used combining the analysis of contingencies and the Pathfinder Associative Networks using as a method of data collection the technique of story. In the study 30 students, 21 women and 9 men, from the 2nd year of the Degree in Primary Education from the Faculty of Badajoz were involved. The results indicate that this methodology can help in obtaining data with the minimal intervention of researcher, and it can also be applied to other subjects and research topics.Apresentamos uma investigação qualitativa cujo objectivo foi o de conhecer as conceções e crenças de um grupo de professores em formação sobre a matemática e o seu proceso de ensino e aprendizagem. Utilizou-se uma metodologia de análise de conteúdo de textos que combinou a análise contingências e as Redes Associativas Pathfinder, empregando a técnica de relatos como método de recolha de dados. Neste estudo participaram 30 alunos, 21 mulheres e 9 homens, do 2º curso da Licenciatura em Educação Primaria da Faculdade de Educação de Badajoz. Os resultados indicam que esta metodologia pode ajudar na obtenção de dados com uma mínima intervenção por parte do investigador, e pode ser aplicada a outros sujeitos e temas de investigação.peerReviewe