Nonequilibrium entropic bounds for Darwinian replicators

Life evolved on our planet by means of a combination of Darwinian selection and innovations leading to higher levels of complexity. The emergence and selection of replicating entities is a central problem in prebiotic evolution. Theoretical models have shown how populations of different types of replicating entities exclude or coexist with other classes of replicators. Models are typically kinetic, based on standard replicator equations. On the other hand, the presence of thermodynamical constrains for these systems remain an open question. This is largely due to the lack of a general theory of out of statistical methods for systems far from equilibrium. Nonetheless, a first approach to this problem has been put forward in a series of novel developements in non-equilibrium physics, under the rubric of the extended second law of thermodynamics. The work presented here is twofold: firstly, we review this theoretical framework and provide a brief description of the three fundamental replicator types in prebiotic evolution: parabolic, malthusian and hyperbolic. Finally, we employ these previously mentioned techinques to explore how replicators are constrained by thermodynamics.Comment: 12 Pages, 5 Figure

Determination of the Insulation Solution that Leads to Lower CO2 Emissions during the Construction Phase of a Building

The characteristics of the envelope of a building determine, together with other factors, its consumption of energy. Additionally, the climate zone and insulation material may vary the minimum insulation thickness of walls and roofs, making it different, according to cooling down or warming up the home. Spanish legislation establishes different maximum values for energy demand according to different climate area both for heating and for cooling. This paper presents the results of a study that determines the influence of many variables as the climate zone or the orientation, among others, in the optimization of thickness insulation in residential homes in Spain to reduce the CO2 emissions embodied. To do that, 12 representative cities in Spain corresponding to different climate zones, four orientations, two constructive solutions, and four different configurations of the same house have been combined, for three different hypotheses and four insulation materials, resulting in 4608 cases of study. The results show that, under equal conditions on energy demand, the optimal insulation requirements are determined by heating necessities more than by cooling ones. In addition, a higher insulation thickness need does not necessarily mean more CO2 emissions, since it can be compensated with a lower Global Warming Potential characterization factor that is associated to the insulation material. The findings of this study can serve to designers and architects to establish the better combination of the variables that are involved in order to minimize the CO2 emissions embodied during the construction phase of a building, making it more energy efficient

Notas críticas a la presentación usual hoy del reino de dios según Jesús de Nazaret

This is a critical assessment of today presentations of Jesus of Nazareth’ Kingdom of God in so-called historical-exegetical books. Three of them are selected for a minute criticism. It follows a brief exegesis of all then important Gospel texts about the Kingdom of God as a «future event» or as «present» and «already come» in Jesus ministry. After a close scrutiny, only one Gospel passage (Luke 17:20-21) can be used with some doubts for sustaining that Jesus has proclaimed a Kingdom of God already present. The article concludes with a brief exposition of the conceptions of the historical Jesus view about the Kingdom, and some consequences for the modern transpositions of his view.Valoración crítica de las presentaciones usuales de hoy, normalmente confesionales, de las concepciones de Jesús de Nazaret acerca del reino de Dios. El análisis detallado se concentra especialmente en tres de ellas. Se hace una exégesis breve pero minuciosa de los textos evangélicos que tratan del tema «reino de Dios». Tras este análisis se comprueba que sólo un texto, Lc 17, 20-21, puede utilizarse exegéticamente, y con ciertas dudas, para defender la idea de que Jesús consideraba que el reino de Dios estaba ya presente. Se concluye con una breve exposición de las concepciones acerca del reino de Dios por parte del Jesús histórico y con algunas consecuencias, por ejemplo sobre el retraso de la parusía, para las transposiciones modernas de esas concepciones jesuánicas sobre el Reino

La radio educativa en la era digital : la experiencia en Cataluña

En el año 2007 se ha aprobó en Cataluña la normativa curricular de la educación no universitaria. Esta normativa curricular propone trabajar el currículum escolar a partir de las competencias básicas. Una de estas competencias es la comunicativa, lingüística i audiovisual. A lo largo de cuatro cursos escolares se ha potenciado el trabajo con la radio en el marco de esta competencia, a través de diferentes actuaciones y proyectos. La radio en directo por Internet, los podcasts, la difusión a través de los blogs escolares de los centros docentes, son prácticas cada vez mas extendidas entre las escuelas e institutos de Cataluña. Esta es una visión que contempla la radio desde su dimensión lingüística, como un ejemplo para el trabajo de lengua oral, pero también transversalmente desde cualquier área curricular. La radio como modelo de cohesión, de dinamización escolar y como no en entornos de trabajo cooperativo. Las aportaciones que desde las aulas hacen con sus trabajos radiofónicos son muy creativos y originales. Los formatos que se pueden encontrar son muy variados, archivos sencillos enlazados en un blog de aula, archivos con su “embed” en la página Web del centro o en su propio blog, colaboraciones con radios locales, municipales o de ámbito territorial más amplio, emisiones en directo ya sea por radiofrecuencia o a través de Internet desde el propio centro docente, etc. En dos años consecutivos se han realizado dos maratones de radio en directo desde los diferentes centros participantes por un único canal de emisión. En este trabajo se pretende difundir el trabajo que se está realizando en las escuelas e institutos de Cataluña i que toma cada vez más importancia desde el punto de vista comunicativo y de lengua oral, en el mundo de la educación.In 2007, Catalonia has approved the rules of non-curricular university. This legislation proposes to work curriculum from the school curriculum of basic skills. One of these is the communicative competence, linguistic audiovisual i. Over four school has been enhanced with radio work in the context of this competition, through different activities and projects. The live Internet radio, podcasts, dissemination through blogs school educational institutions are increasingly widespread practice among schools and institutes of Catalonia. This is a vision that includes the radio from its linguistic dimension, as an example for the oral language work, but also from all areas across the curriculum. The radio as a model of cohesion, dynamic and non-formal and collaborative work environments. The contributions from the classroom to make radio work are very creative and original. The formats can be found are very varied, single files locked in a classroom blog, files his "embed" on the center's Web page or your own blog, partnerships with local radio stations, municipal or territorial scope wider live broadcasting either by radio or through the Internet from the schools themselves, etc. In two consecutive years there have been two live radio marathon from the different participating centers by a single broadcast channel. This paper aims to disseminate the work being done in schools and institutes of Catalonia and it becomes increasingly important from the standpoint of communication and oral language in the world of education

Reseñas

La tesis doctoral del profesor del Instituto Teológico “San Pedro de Alcántara” de Cáceres, D. Rafael Delgado Escolar, La fe profesada y anunciada en el Magisterio de Pablo VI. Del “Año de la fe” a los “tiempos nuevos de evangelización” es un recorrido extraordinario, y muy necesario, por el Magisterio del venerable Papa Pablo V.The doctoral thesis of Professor at the Theological Institute "San Pedro de Alcantara" of Cáceres, D. Rafael Delgado School, the faith professed and announced in the magisterium of Pope Paul VI. The "Year of faith" to the "New Times of evangelization" is an extraordinary route and much needed by the Magisterium of the venerable Pope Paul V.peerReviewe