Quantum theory of collective strong coupling of molecular vibrations with a microcavity mode

We develop a quantum mechanical formalism to treat the strong coupling between an electromagnetic mode and a vibrational excitation of an ensemble of organic molecules. By employing a Bloch-Redfield-Wangsness approach, we show that the influence of dephasing-type interactions, i.e., elastic collisions with a background bath of phonons, critically depends on the nature of the bath modes. In particular, for long-range phonons corresponding to a common bath, the dynamics of the "bright state" (the collective superposition of molecular vibrations coupling to the cavity mode) is effectively decoupled from other system eigenstates. For the case of independent baths (or short-range phonons), incoherent energy transfer occurs between the bright state and the uncoupled dark states. However, these processes are suppressed when the Rabi splitting is larger than the frequency range of the bath modes, as achieved in a recent experiment [Shalabney et al., Nat. Commun. 6, 5981 (2015)]. In both cases, the dynamics can thus be described through a single collective oscillator coupled to a photonic mode, making this system an ideal candidate to explore cavity optomechanics at room temperature.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Software em controle estatístico de processos: uma revisão sistemática

The Software Processes Improvement requires advanced techniques for the quantitative management process, so that from the analysis of the relevant indicators in the organization, actions can be taken to facilitate the decision-making process in favor of this improvement. Among the set of techniques, special attention is devoted to the Statistical Process Control (SPC), which has gained acceptance in enterprises preparing to attain high degrees of maturity in their processes, and require the establishment of measuring programs. SPC is useful in software development for several reasons. Control Charts help identify process shifts and abnormal variations. It is therefore pertinent to assess how successful SPC is in the context of software production. In this sense, we have not found any integrated proposal of quantitative management applied to distributed software development, processes that allow the attainment of important benefits, and, at the same time, that more organizations are improving their processes. These considerations motivate the need to define and carry out a Systematic Review to assess whether SPC is being used effectively and correctly, and to determine the main obstacles to a successful application of SPC in SPI efforts. Thus, the systematic review allows developing a rigorous analysis of the current state of the SPC, which is a starting point to address how it can be successfully used as a decision-making support tool in software-process improvement in agreement with the available empirical evidence reported in the literature.La mejora de procesos software [Software Process Improvement, SPI] requiere de técnicas avanzadas para la gestión cuantitativa, de modo que, a partir del análisis de los indicadores relevantes en la organización, se pueda facilitar la toma de decisiones para dicha mejora. Dentro del conjunto de técnicas merece especial atención el control estadístico de procesos (Statistical Process Control, SPC) que ha ido ganando aceptación en las empresas que se preparan para alcanzar altos grados de madurez en sus procesos y que lo requieren para la implementación de sus programas de medición. El artículo desarrolla una revisión sistemática para un análisis crítico del estado del arte sobre las técnicas del SPC más adecuadas que se pueden adoptar en la gestión cuantitativa de software. En este sentido, al no encontrar una propuesta integrada de gestión cuantitativa software para procesos distribuidos que permita beneficios importantes a medida que más organizaciones mejoraran sus procesos o a los gestores de proyectos de software, la revisión sistemática es el modo riguroso para evaluar y determinar herramientas, tecnologías, técnicas y métodos de aplicación de acuerdo con la evidencia empírica disponible reportada en la literatura.A melhoria de processos de software [Software Process Improvement, SPI] exige técnicas avançadas para a gestão quantitativa, de modo que, a partir da análise de indicadores relevantes na organização, seja possível facilitar a tomada de decisão para essa melhoria. Dentro do conjunto de técnicas, merece especial atenção o controle estatístico de processos (Statistical Process Control, SPC), que tem vindo a ganhar aceitação em empresas que estão preparadas para atingir um alto grau de maturidade em seus processos e que precisam dele para a implementação de seus programas de medição. O artigo desenvolve uma revisão sistemática para uma análise crítica do estado da arte das técnicas do SPC mais adequadas que podem ser adotadas na gestão quantitativa de software. Neste sentido, não encontrando uma proposta integrada de software de gestão quantitativa que possa permitir benefícios significativos uma vez que mais organizações irão melhorar seus processos ou aos gerentes de projetos de software, a revisão sistemática é uma maneira rigorosa para avaliar e definir ferramentas, tecnologias, técnicas e métodos de aplicação de acordo com a evidência empírica disponível relatada na literatura

Innovative concepts of Integrated Solar Combined Cycles (ISCC) using a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is one of the most promising ways for electricity production of the upcoming years with high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar-photovoltaics. This is due to the fact that CSP when coupled to Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system enables large, inexpensive and flexible energy dispatch, which contributes to energy grid stabilization. At the same time, TES allows for steady operation of the power block by reducing undesirable fluctuations due to weather transient conditions and increasing the number of hours that the power block operates at design conditions 1. Despite the abovementioned advantages of CSP systems, a step further is needed for increase overall system efficiency and decrease CO2 emissions. Several studies have been performed considering high efficiency plant layouts such as combined cycle. For the latter, several works have been investigated about solar integration of combined cycle using parabolic trough and solar tower technologies. In both cases, solar energy was used for water/steam preheating and evaporation steps of the Rankine cycle in combination with the exhaust gases of fossil-fuel gas turbine engine. However, no research has been performed considering ISCC coupled with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). In this research, two innovative layouts of ISCC power plants will be analyzed. First considers a ISCC based on solar tower and second a ISCC with a parabolic trough collector field coupled to the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). The objective of this research is analyze the energy behavior of both layouts, selecting the best ISCC scheme to be coupled with a SOFC. The simulations will be performed using Thermoflex software. In both layouts, a SOFC is introduced before the combustion chamber at the topping cycle, and a Rankine cycle (bottoming cycle) with 2 pressures is considered.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The U.S. Senate’s failure to pass gun control legislation is the victory of an intense minority against an apathetic majority

Despite support from around 90 percent of US citizens in the wake of 2012’s Sandy Hook School shooting, expanded background checks for gun purchases failed in the US Senate. Laurent Bouton, Paola Conconi, Francisco J Pino, and Maurizio Zanardi write that this ‘gun-control paradox’ can be explained by the fact that the intensity of voters’ preferences differs across policy issues, and voters only have one vote with which to hold politicians accountable on a bundle of issues. A model incorporating these features predicts Senate voting behaviour very well, finding that Senators closer to re-election are more likely to vote pro-gun, and only Democrats ‘flip-flop’ on guns

Guns, environment and abortion: how single-minded voters shape politicians decisions

We study how electoral incentives affect policy choices on secondary issues, which only minorities of voters care intensely about. We develop a model in which office and policy motivated politicians choose to support or oppose regulations on these issues. We derive conditions under which politicians flip-flop, voting according to their policy preferences at the beginning of their terms, but in line with the preferences of single-issue minorities as they approach re-election. To assess the evidence, we study U.S. senators' votes on gun control, environment, and reproductive rights. In line with our model's predictions, election proximity has a pro-gun effect on Democratic senators and a proenvironment effect on Republican senators. These effects only arise for non-retiring senators, who represent states where the single-issue minority is of intermediate size. Also in line with our theory, election proximity has no impact on senators' decisions on reproductive rights, because of the presence of single-issue minorities on both sides

Experiences in teaching Hydrogen Technologies in the framework of the International Campus of Excellence Andalucia TECH

The increasing importance of hydrogen technologies is demanding prepared professionals in the numerous topics related to this energy vector. Apart from some basic and advanced courses given by actual experts in these topics, universities must play an important role in the general formation of future professionals. In this way, the International Campus of Excellence (ICE) Andalucía TECH has created several degrees taught jointly by its participating universities of Seville (US) and Málaga (UMA). Among those degrees, Energy Engineering is the best suited to the field of this conference because this degree provide future engineers with specialized training in energy generation, transformation and management. In relation to hydrogen technologies this degree includes a cross sectional optional unit named Hydrogen Based Systems (4.5 ECTS/112.5 h), which is placed in the last term of the fourth year and sharing space with work placement and mobility courses. This paper will present some author’s experiences as teachers of that unit during its short history of only three years. In spite of being a joint degree, which is coordinated between both universities (US and UMA) trying to give similar contents, it is interesting to highlight the differential experiences coming from the teachers of both universities in relation to the teaching methodologies and academic results.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Quiste óseo esencial: Resultados del tratamiento mediante punción intracavitaria con corticoides

Se presenta n los resultado s de l tratamient o de treint a quiste s óseo s esenciales mediante punción intracavitaria con acetato de metil-prednisolona. Se ha obtenido una respuesta favorable en el 93% de los casos con curación completa en el 77% de los casos. Estos resultados apoyan que debe ser el tratamiento inicial de elección en este tipo de lesiones.The results of 30 unicameral bone cyst treated by intracavitary injection of methylprednisolone acetate wer e reviewed. Satisfactory respons e was found in 93% of the cases. Complete restoration of bone architecture was observed in 77% of the cases. These results strongly support the local injection of steroids as the primary elective treatment for unicameral bone cyst

Property Rights and Gender Bias: Evidence from Land Reform in West Bengal

While land reforms are typically pursued in order to raise productivity and reduce inequality across households, an unintended consequence may be increased within-household gender inequality. We analyse a tenancy registration programme in West Bengal, and find that it increased child survival and reduced fertility. However, we also find that it intensified son preference in families without a first-born son to inherit the land title. These families exhibit no reduction in fertility, an increase in the probability that a subsequent birth is male, and a substantial increase in the survival advantage of subsequent sons over daughters