Mu-tau neutrino refraction and collective three-flavor transformations in supernovae

We study three-flavor collective neutrino transformations in the dense-neutrino region above the neutrino sphere of a supernova core. We find that two-flavor conversions driven by the atmospheric mass difference and the 13-mixing angle capture the full effect if one neglects the second-order difference between the muon and tau neutrino refractive index. Including this "mu-tau matter term" provides a resonance at a density of approximately 3 x 10^7 g cm^-3 that typically causes significant modifications of the overall electron neutrino and antineutrino survival probabilities. This effect is surprisingly sensitive to deviations from maximal 23-mixing, being different for each octant.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures. New presentation of results, version to be published in PR

"A Comparison of the Japanese and U.S. Business Cycles"

The paper constructs a consistent set of quarterly Japanese data for the 1960-2002 sample period and compares properties of the Japanese and U.S. business cycles. We document some important differences in the adjustment of labor input between the two countries. In Japan most most of the adjustment is in hours per worker of males and females and also in employment of female. In the U.S. most of the adjustment is in employment of both males and females. We formulate, estimate and analyze a model that makes distinction between the intensive and extensive margin and allows for gender differences in labor supply. A weak empirical correlation between hours per worker and employment in Japanese data is a puzzle for our theory.

Environmental impact of submerged anaerobic MBR (SAnMBR) technology used to treat urban wastewater at different temperatures

[EN] The objective of this study was to assess the environmental impact of a submerged anaerobic MBR (SAnMBR) system in the treatment of urban wastewater at different temperatures: ambient temperature (20 and 33 degrees C), and a controlled temperature (33 degrees C). To this end, an overall energy balance (OEB) and life cycle assessment (LCA), both based on real process data, were carried out. Four factors were considered in this study; (1) energy consumption during wastewater treatment; (2) energy recovered from biogas capture; (3) potential recovery of nutrients from the final effluent; and (4) sludge disposal. The OEB and LCA showed SAnMBR to be a promising technology for treating urban wastewater at ambient temperature (OEB = 0.19 kW h m(-3)). LCA results reinforce the importance of maximising the recovery of nutrients (environmental impact in eutrophication can be reduced up to 45%) and dissolved methane (positive environmental impact can be obtained) from SAnMBR effluent. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN, Project CTM2011-28595-CO2-01/02) jointly with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which are gratefully acknowledged.Pretel, R.; Robles Martínez, Á.; Ruano García, MV.; Seco Torrecillas, A.; Ferrer, J. (2013). Environmental impact of submerged anaerobic MBR (SAnMBR) technology used to treat urban wastewater at different temperatures. Bioresource Technology. 149:532-540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.09.060S53254014

Economic and environmental sustainability of submerged anaerobic MBR based (AnMBR-based) technology compared to aerobic-based technologies for moderate-/high-loaded urban wastewater treatment

[EN] The objective of this study was to assess the economic and environmental sustainability of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) in comparison with aerobic-based technologies for moderate-/high-loaded urban wastewater (UWW) treatment. To this aim, a combined approach of steady-state performance modelling, life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) was used, in which AnMBR (coupled with an aerobic-based post-treatment) was compared to aerobic membrane bioreactor (AeMBR) and conventional activated sludge (CAS). AnMBR with CAS-based post-treatment for nutrient removal was identified as a sustainable option for moderate-/high-loaded UWW treatment: low energy consumption and reduced sludge production could be obtained at given operating conditions. In addition, significant reductions can be achieved in different aspects of environmental impact (global warming potential (GWP), abiotic depletion, acidification, etc.) and LCC over existing UWW treatment technologies.Pretel, R.; Robles Martínez, Á.; Ruano García, MV.; Seco Torrecillas, A.; Ferrer, J. (2016). Economic and environmental sustainability of submerged anaerobic MBR based (AnMBR-based) technology compared to aerobic-based technologies for moderate-/high-loaded urban wastewater treatment. Journal of Environmental Management. 166:45-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.10.004S455416

Charged quark stars in metric f(R)f(R) gravity

We provide the modified TOV equations for the hydrostatic equilibrium of charged compact stars within the metric $f(R)$ gravitational background. We adopt the MIT bag model EoS for the dense matter and assume a charge distribution where the electric charge density $\rho_{\rm ch}$ is proportional to the standard energy density $\rho$. Using the Starobinsky model, we explore the role of the $\alpha R^2$ term, where $\alpha$ is a free constant and $R$ the Ricci scalar, on the global properties of charged stars such as radius, mass and total charge. We present the dependence of the structure of the star for several values of $\alpha$ and for different values of the constant parameter $\beta\equiv \rho_{\rm ch}/\rho$. Remarkably, we find that the radius decreases with respect to its GR value for low central densities, while the opposite occurs in the high-central-density region. The mass measured at the surface always decreases and the maximum-total charge undergoes a substantial increase as the parameter $\alpha$ increases. We also illustrate the variations of the asymptotic mass as a consequence of the electric charge and the extra quadratic term.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures. To appear in JCA

Interplay between collective effects and nonstandard interactions of supernova neutrinos

We consider the effect of non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI, for short) on the propagation of neutrinos through the supernova (SN) envelope within a three-neutrino framework and taking into account the presence of a neutrino background. We find that for given NSI parameters, with strength generically denoted by εij, neutrino evolution exhibits a significant time dependence. For |εττ|≳ 10−3 the neutrino survival probability may become sensitive to the θ23 octant and the sign of εττ. In particular, if εττ≳10−2 an internal I-resonance may arise independently of the matter density. For typical values found in SN simulations this takes place in the same dense-neutrino region above the neutrinosphere where collective effects occur, in particular during the synchronization regime. This resonance may lead to an exchange of the neutrino fluxes entering the bipolar regime. The main consequences are (i) bipolar conversion taking place for normal neutrino mass hierarchy and (ii) a transformation of the flux of low-energy νe, instead of the usual spectral swap

EFECTO HEPATOPROTECTOR DE VACCINIUM FLORIBUNDUM HBK “PUSHGAY” (ERICACEAE) FRENTE AL ESTRÉS OXIDATIVO INDUCIDO CON TETRACLORURO DE CARBONO

The hydroalcoholic extract of the fruit of Vaccinium floribundum HBK "pushgay" was tested in Rattus rattus variety albinus to determine its hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride. We worked with 20 rats divided into four groups: negative control, which was inoculated for seven days via orogastric tube, sterile physiological saline (SSFE); positive control, which was inoculated two days via orogastric tube, carbon tetrachloride 1 mL·Kg-1 body weight and then by five consecutive days SSFE and experimental, consisting of two groups, which were inoculated, via orogastric tube, carbon tetrachloride 1mL·Kg-1 body weight for two days and then for five consecutive days, the hydroalcoholic extract of Vaccinium floribundum at concentrations of 300 mg·Kg-1 body weight and 600 mg·Kg-1 body weight each group respectively. The concentration of free radicals in liver was determined in all groups by the method of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; also, histological sections were performed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract. The average concentrations of free radicals determined in the negative control groups, positivecontrol, and experimental with 300 mg of the hydroalcoholic extract·Kg-1 body weight and 600mg of the hydroalcoholic extract·Kg-1 body weight were, respectively: 6.149; 14.466; 11.794 and 8.786 μg of malondialdehyde.g-1of liver, showing statistically significant differences between the groups (P<0.05). It was determined that the group treated with carbon tetrachloride over thehydroalcoholic extract 600 mg·kg-1 body weight, decreased significantly the amount of free radicals and favored the rapid liver regeneration.El extracto hidroalcohólico del fruto de Vaccinium floribundum HBK “pushgay” fue ensayado en Rattus rattus variedad albinus para determinar su efecto hepatoprotector frente al estrés oxidativo inducido con tetracloruro de carbono. Se trabajó con 20 ratas distribuidas en cuatro grupos: control negativo, al cual se le inoculó por siete días, vía sonda orogástrica, solución salina fisiológica estéril (SSFE); control positivo, al cual se le inoculó por dos días, vía sonda orogástrica, tetracloruro de carbono 1mL•Kg-1 de peso corporal y luego SSFE por cinco días consecutivos y, experimental, conformado por dos grupos, a los cuales se les inoculó, vía sonda orogástrica, tetracloruro de carbono 1mL•Kg-1 de peso corporal por dos días y luego, por cinco días consecutivos, el extracto hidroalcohólico de Vaccinium floribundum a las concentraciones de 300 mg•Kg-1 de peso corporal y 600 mg•Kg-1 de peso corporal a cada grupo, respectivamente. Se determinó en todos los grupos, la concentración de radicales libres en hígado, por el método de las sustancias reactivas al ácido Tiobarbitúrico y, asimismo, se realizaron cortes histológicos para evaluar el efecto hepatoprotector del extracto hidroalcohólico. La concentración promedio de radicales libres determinada en los grupos control negativo, control positivo y experimental con 300 mg del extracto hidroalcohólico•Kg-1de peso corporal y 600 mg del extracto hidroalcohólico•Kg-1de peso corporal fue respectivamente: 6,149; 14,466; 11,794 y 8,786 μg de malondialdehído.g-1de hígado, apreciándose diferencia estadística significativa entre los grupos (

Navigating environmental, economic, and technological trade-offs in the design and operation of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs)

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) enable energy recovery from wastewater while simultaneously achieving high levels of treatment. The objective of this study was to elucidate how detailed design and operational decisions of submerged AnMBRs influence the technological, environmental, and economic sustainability of the system across its life cycle. Specific design and operational decisions evaluated included: solids retention time (SRT), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration, sludge recycling ratio (r), flux (J), and specific gas demand per membrane area (SGD). The possibility of methane recovery (both as biogas and as soluble methane in reactor effluent) and bioenergy production, nutrient recovery, and final destination of the sludge (land application, landfill, or incineration) were also evaluated. The implications of these design and operational decisions were characterized by leveraging a quantitative sustainable design (QSD) framework which integrated steady-state performance modeling across seasonal temperatures (using pilot-scale experimental data and the simulating software DESASS), life cycle cost (LCC) analysis, and life cycle assessment (LCA). Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were used to characterize the relative importance of individual design decisions, and to navigate trade-offs across environmental, economic, and technological criteria. Based on this analysis, there are design and operational conditions under which submerged AnMBRs could be net energy positive and contribute to the pursuit of carbon negative wastewater treatment.This research work was possible thanks to project CTM2011-28595-C02-01/02 (funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness jointly with the European Regional Development Fund and Generalitat Valenciana GVA-ACOMP2013/203), and by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Academic Partnership Program (UIeRA 2012-06291), which are gratefully acknowledged. The authors would like also to acknowledge the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for partial funding for B.D. Shoener.Pretel-Jolis, R.; Shoener, BD.; Ferrer, J.; Guest, J. (2015). Navigating environmental, economic, and technological trade-offs in the design and operation of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). Water Research. (87):531-541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.07.002S5315418