A new efficient approach to the direct restricted active space self-consistent field method

An implicitly parallel method for integral-block driven restricted active space self-consistent field (RASSCF) algorithms is presented. The approach is based on a model space representation of the RAS active orbitals with an efficient expansion of the model subspaces. The applicability of the method is demonstrated with a RASSCF investigation of the first two excited states of indole

One- and two-center physical space partitioning of the energy in the density functional theory

A conceptually new approach is introduced for the decomposition of the molecular energy calculated at the density functional theory level of theory into sum of one- and two-atomic energy components, and is realized in the "fuzzy atoms" framework. (Fuzzy atoms mean that the three-dimensional physical space is divided into atomic regions having no sharp boundaries but exhibiting a continuous transition from one to another.) The new scheme uses the new concept of "bond order density" to calculate the diatomic exchange energy components and gives them unexpectedly close to the values calculated by the exact (Hartree-Fock) exchange for the same Kohn-Sham orbitals

Anisotropic dispersion, space competition, and the slowdown of the Neolithic transition

The front speed of the Neolithic (farmer) spread in Europe decreased as it reached Northern latitudes, where the Mesolithic (huntergatherer) population density was higher. Here, we describe a reaction diffusion model with (i) an anisotropic dispersion kernel depending on the Mesolithic population density gradient and (ii) a modified population growth equation. Both effects are related to the space available for the Neolithic population. The model is able to explain the slowdown of the Neolithic front as observed from archaeological data

Genotypic comparison of Pantoea agglomerans plant and clinical strains

Pantoea agglomerans strains are among the most promising biocontrol agents for a variety of bacterial and fungal plant diseases, particularly fire blight of apple and pear. However, commercial registration of P. agglomerans biocontrol products is hampered because this species is currently listed as a biosafety level 2 (BL2) organism due to clinical reports as an opportunistic human pathogen. This study compares plant-origin and clinical strains in a search for discriminating genotypic/phenotypic markers using multi-locus phylogenetic analysis and fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphisms (fAFLP) fingerprinting. Results: Majority of the clinical isolates from culture collections were found to be improperly designated as P. agglomerans after sequence analysis. The frequent taxonomic rearrangements underwent by the Enterobacter agglomerans/Erwinia herbicola complex may be a major problem in assessing clinical associations within P. agglomerans. In the P. agglomerans sensu stricto (in the stricter sense) group, there was no discrete clustering of clinical/biocontrol strains and no marker was identified that was uniquely associated to clinical strains. A putative biocontrol-specific fAFLP marker was identified only in biocontrol strains. The partial ORF located in this band corresponded to an ABC transporter that was found in all P. agglomerans strains. Conclusion: Taxonomic mischaracterization was identified as a major problem with P. agglomerans, and current techniques removed a majority of clinical strains from this species. Although clear discrimination between P. agglomerans plant and clinical strains was not obtained with phylogenetic analysis, a single marker characteristic of biocontrol strains was identified which may be of use in strain biosafety determinations. In addition, the lack of Koch's postulate fulfilment, rare retention of clinical strains for subsequent confirmation, and the polymicrobial nature of P. agglomerans clinical reports should be considered in biosafety assessment of beneficial strains in this species

Desarrollo de catalizadores en sistemas de reacción avanzados para la producción de hidrógeno a partir de biogás

[ES]En el presente documento se expone el estudio experimental que consiste en la comparación de diferentes catalizadores en sistemas de reacción avanzados, microrreactores, para la producción de hidrógeno a partir de biogás. El hidrógeno es un vector energético que puede emplearse como combustible, y por tanto, un candidato perfecto para sustituir aquellos combustibles provenientes de fuentes fósiles. Este Proyecto de Fin de Grado se ha basado en desarrollar el proceso conocido como tri-reformado de biogás. Esta técnica, al contrario que las técnicas convencionales de producción, presenta numerosas ventajas ya que la materia prima empleada, el biogás, es una fuente de origen renovable. Para llevar a cabo este estudio se han preparado distintos catalizadores, basados todos ellos en platino. La elección de este metal noble es debido a su alto grado de reactividad, especialmente en sistemas de reacción micro-estructurados. Con el objetivo de reducir los costes asociados al propio catalizador, se añadieron, junto con el platino, otros metales más baratos a fin de analizar su idoneidad en el proceso del tri-reformado. Por tanto, partiendo de un catalizador de referencia que contiene un 5% de platino, se prepararon otros catalizadores mantenido constante, en un 5%, la composición de metal total. Estos catalizadores se han denominado de la siguiente manera: 2.5(Pt-Me), siendo Me cada especie metálica diferente. Tras preparar los catalizadores, se llevaron a cabo diferentes experimentos con un reactor convencional de lecho fijo. El objetivo fue establecer unas condiciones de operación tal que asegurasen una adecuada comparación entre catalizadores. De este modo, se realizaron ensayos de actividad catalítica a diferentes temperaturas y velocidades espaciales para someter a los catalizadores a condiciones de operación extremas, bajo las cuales, las diferencias entre catalizadores fueran más notorias. Una vez detalladas las condiciones de operación adecuadas para la comparación de catalizadores, se llevaron a cabo los correspondientes ensayos con los catalizadores impregnados en los sistemas de reacción avanzados, denominados micorreactores. Estos ensayos se basaron en operar a una velocidad espacial constante para estudiar la influencia de la temperatura. Además, se llevaron a cabo ensayos de estabilidad de hasta 110 horas en las condiciones de operación más desfavorables. Por último se compararon las conversiones de CH4 y CO2 y el rendimiento de H2 de todas las formulaciones catalíticas preparadas, y se concluyó que el mejor candidato para el proceso del tri-reformado es el catalizador 2.5(Pt-Pd).

A simple model of multiple equilibria and default. CEPS Working Document No. 366, 16 July 2012

This Working Document by Daniel Gros presents a simple model that incorporates two types of sovereign default cost: first, a lump-sum cost due to the fact that the country does not service its debt fully and is recognised as being in default status, by ratings agencies, for example. Second, a cost that increases with the size of the losses (or haircut) imposed on creditors whose resistance to a haircut increases with the proportional loss inflicted upon them. One immediate implication of the model is that under some circumstances the creditors have a (collective) interest to forgive some debt in order to induce the country not to default. The model exhibits a potential for multiple equilibria, given that a higher interest rate charged by investors increases the debt service burden and thus the temptation to default. Under very high debt levels credit rationing can set in as the feedback loop between higher interest rates and the higher incentive to default can become explosive. The introduction of uncertainty makes multiple equilibria less likely and reduces their range.