Nonlinear response of superparamagnets with finite damping: an analytical approach

The strongly damping-dependent nonlinear dynamical response of classical superparamagnets is investigated by means of an analytical approach. Using rigorous balance equations for the spin occupation numbers a simple approximate expression is derived for the nonlinear susceptibility. The results are in good agreement with those obtained from the exact (continued-fraction) solution of the Fokker-Planck equation. The formula obtained could be of assistance in the modelling of the experimental data and the determination of the damping coefficient in superparamagnets.Comment: 7 PR pages, 2 figure

Caracterización del xilema de 352 coníferas

Following the traditional methods of preparation and description of wood at microscopy level, 352 descriptions of the woods of conifers were made. For the characterisation of each wood a multiple entry key was prepared, with a total of 81 features divided into four groups: tracheids with 29 features, axial parenchyma with 8, wood rays with 37 and resin canals with 7.Siguiendo los métodos tradicionales de preparación y descripción de la madera a nivel microscópico, se han realizado 352 descripciones de maderas de coníferas. Para la caracterización de cada madera se ha elaborado una clave de múltiple entrada con un total de 81 caracteres dividida en cuatro grupos: traqueidas con 29 caracteres, parénquima axial 8, radios leñosos 37 y canales resiníferos 7

Solving quantum master equations in phase space by continued-fraction methods

Inspired on the continued-fraction technique to solve the classical Fokker--Planck equation, we develop continued-fraction methods to solve quantum master equations in phase space (Wigner representation of the density matrix). The approach allows to study several classes of nonlinear quantum systems subjected to environmental effects (fluctuations and dissipation), with the only limitations that the starting master equations may have. We illustrate the method with the canonical problem of quantum Brownian motion in periodic potentials.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Enhancement of flavour properties in wines using sequential inoculations of non-Saccharomyces (Hansenula and Torulaspora) and Saccharomyces yeast

In order to produce wines with greater complexity of aroma and taste, fermentations were carried out by sequential inoculation of non-Saccharomyces (Hansenula anomala and Torulaspora delbrueckii) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts in 'Airén' variety white grape musts. The wines made by sequential inoculation had a higher pH and higher levels of acetates, compounds that supply a fruity note. The wines inoculated with Hansenula anomala presented a lower concentration of lineal alcohols and thioalcohols, which are respectively responsible for herbaceous and cooked notes. The fermentations performed by sequential inoculation of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced wines with lower levels of volatile acidity, acetaldehyde and carbonyl compounds. In preference tasting, the 'Airén' wines obtained by co-inoculation with the species Hansenula anomala scored highest for their sensory qualities and were particularly appreciated for their floral and/or fruity notes

La terapia dialéctico comportamental

The outcomes of Behavior Therapy have been significant in the last decades; we have at our disposal empirically validated treatments for many mental disorders. However, effective treatment programs for some other psychological problems are still scarce. Personality disorders are among the most difficult problems to treat from any psychotherapeutic perspective, including Behavior Therapy. Because of this, some researchers have devoted their work to study personality disorders and develop specific interventions. These researchers have designed new approaches and techniques that have contributed not only to improve the treatment of personality disorders, but also to enrich Behavior Therapy, given that those approaches could be used effectively in the treatment of personality disorders and in the treatment of other disorders as well. One of the most active research groups in the study and treatment of personality disorders is Dr. Marsha Linehan's team at the University of Washington in United States of America. This group has designed and validated Dialectal Behavior Therapy, a program for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, one of the most complex and challenging psychological problems. The aim of this work is to offer a general view of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, highlighting the innovative aspects of the program that have contributed to improve the strategies that Behavior Therapy offers.La Terapia de Conducta ha avanzado de farma significativa en las últimas décadas. Disponemos de frotamientos empíricamente validados para el tratamiento de un número importante de trastornos mentales. Sin embargo, existen todavía problemas psicológicos para los que los programas de tratamiento eficaces son todavía escasos. Los trastornos de la personalidad se podrían incluir entre los trastornos más difíciles de abordar desde cualquier perspectiva terapéutica, incluyendo la Terapia de Conducta. Debido a ello, desde hace años algunos investigadores se han preocupado por estudiar estos trastornos y por desarrollar intervenciones especificas para los mismos. En esa labor han desarrollado nuevos enfoques y técnicas que han contribuido no sólo a la mejora en el abordaje de estos trastornos, sino también al enriquecimiento de la Terapia de Conducta, de modo que estas intervenciones se pueden aplicar al tratamiento de los trastornos de la personalidad y de otros trastornos mentales. Uno de los grupos más activos en el tratamiento de los trastornos de la personalidad ha sido el equipo de la Dra. Marsha Linehon en la Universidad de Washington, en Estados Unidos. Este grupo ha diseñado y validado un programa de tratamiento denominado Terapia dialéctico-comportamental dirigida al abordaje de uno de los trastornos más Complejos que nos encontramos en la práCtiCO clínica diaria, el trastorno límite de la personalidad. El objetivo de este artículo es ofrecer una visión general de este programa de tratamiento enfatizando los aspectos novedosos que han significado una contribución importante o la mejora de las estrategias que lo Terapia de Conducta nos ofrece

Performance evaluation of two slow-medium growing chicken strains maintained under organic production system during different seasons

A total of 160 1-day-old medium-growing male chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) were raised for 120 days in a certified organic farming system. A total of two strains were studied (Coloryield, CY; RedBro, RB). Overall, two weather periods were considered based on the outdoor temperature, being S1 colder than S2. In total, 40 chicks per strain were assigned to each period (n = 80). Chickens were fed ad libitum with the same organic feeds. In the first month, chickens were kept indoors and, from day 30, they had access to the pasture. Slaughter live weight (LW), average daily gains, (ADG), the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality rates did not differ between the two strains. LW was (p < 0.05) higher in the S1 and a trend (p = 0.084) was observed for ADG, which was higher in S1. No differences were found for feed intake, FCR, and mortality rates between weather periods. There were no differences for coefficient of variation (CV) between the strains studied, nevertheless, CV for LW in S2 was increased. Differences in the productive performance between these strains raised in organic production systems were slight. However, chickens raised in S1 had a better performance. It would be preferable to raise chickens in these weather conditions whenever possible. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Electronic transport and vibrational modes in the smallest molecular bridge: H2 in Pt nanocontacts

We present a state-of-the-art first-principles analysis of electronic transport in a Pt nanocontact in the presence of H2 which has been recently reported by Smit et al. in Nature 419, 906 (2002). Our results indicate that at the last stages of the breaking of the Pt nanocontact two basic forms of bridge involving H can appear. Our claim is, in contrast to Smit et al.'s, that the main conductance histogram peak at G approx 2e^2/h is not due to molecular H2, but to a complex Pt2H2 where the H2 molecule dissociates. A first-principles vibrational analysis that compares favorably with the experimental one also supports our claim .Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Blended transdiagnostic group CBT for emotional disorders: A feasibility trial protocol

Introduction: Emotional disorders (anxiety and depressive disorders) are a relevant public health concern associated with high prevalence, high costs, and important disability. Therefore, research priorities include designing and testing cost-effective interventions to reach everyone in need. Internet-delivered interventions for emotional disorders are effective and can help to disseminate and implement evidence-based treatments. However, although these treatments are generally effective, not all patients benefit from this treatment format equally. Blended treatments are a new form of intervention that combines the strengths of face-to-face and Internet approaches. Nevertheless, research on blended interventions has focused primarily on individual therapy, and less attention has been paid to the potential of using this format in group psychotherapy. This study aims to analyze the feasibility of blended transdiagnostic group CBT for emotional disorders. The current article describes the study protocol for this trial. Method and analysis: A one-armed pilot trial will be conducted. Participants will be 30 adults suffering from DSM-5 anxiety and/or depressive disorders. The treatment consists of a blended transdiagnostic group intervention delivered during a period of 24 weeks. Groups of 6 to 10 patients will attend a total of eight 2-hour, face-to-face sessions, alternated with the use of an online platform where they will find the contents of the treatment protocol. The intervention has four core components: present-focused awareness, cognitive flexibility, identification and modification of behavioral and cognitive patterns of emotional avoidance, and interoceptive and situational exposure. These components are delivered in 16 modules. Assessments will be performed at baseline, during the treatment, at post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. Clinical and treatment acceptability outcomes will be included. Quantitative and qualitative data (participants’ views about blended group psychotherapy) will be analyzed. Ethics and dissemination: The trial has received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Universitat Jaume I (September 2019) and will be conducted in accordance with the study protocol, the Declaration of Helsinki, and good clinical practice. The results of this study will be disseminated by presentation at conferences and will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04008576. Registered 05 July 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0400857

PV Hosting Capacity Analysis and Enhancement Using High Resolution Stochastic Modeling

Reduction of CO2 emissions is a main target in the future smart grid. This goal is boosting the installation of renewable energy resources (RES), as well as a major consumer engagement that seeks for a more efficient utilization of these resources toward the figure of ‘prosumers’. Nevertheless, these resources present an intermittent nature, which requires the presence of an energy storage system and an energy management system (EMS) to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Moreover, network-related issues might arise due to the increasing power of renewable resources installed in the grid, the storage systems also being capable of contributing to the network stability. However, to assess these future scenarios and test the control strategies, a simulation system is needed. The aim of this paper is to analyze the interaction between residential consumers with high penetration of PV generation and distributed storage and the grid by means of a high temporal resolution simulation scenario based on a stochastic residential load model and PV production records. Results of the model are presented for different PV power rates and storage capacities, as well as a two-level charging strategy as a mechanism for increasing the hosting capacity (HC) of the network

Influence of vulnerability factors in panic disorder severity

Background: We studied herein the predictive value for panic severity of three well-based vulnerability factors: personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion; NEO-PI-R), anxiety sensitivity (ASI), and perceived control (ACQ-R). Method: The sample was composed of 52 participants diagnosed with panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Results: Our results revealed that the anxiety facet is a better predictor of panic severity than neuroticism. Anxiety sensitivity increases the predictive value for panic severity and, finally, perception of control of emotions is the only perception control subscale that increases the predictive value for panic severity more than the anxiety facet and anxiety sensitivity. Conclusions: This finding supports the assumption of the importance of taking into account the assessment of the lower order dimensions of the vulnerability factors in the field of psychopathology studies. Furthermore, the predictive value of perception of control of emotions indicates the importance of this specific vulnerability factor in the etiology of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) and, thus, shows the necessity to include emotion regulation strategies in the psychological treatments