Effects of compost application on soil macrofauna and soil functions in oil palm plantation – Biofunctool® approach

Oil palm produces about 38.7% of all vegetable oil (palm oil and palm kernel oil, 2016) and its cultivation area reach in 18.7 million ha worldwide (mature plantations) in 2017. While palm oil demand will increase in the future, leading an increase of global production, an adapted fertilization is needed to increase yield while preserving soil multifunctionality. Organic fertilization, by Empty fruit bunches (EFB) or compost is an alternative to mineral fertilization. The effect of EFB application on soil quality has been investigated, however the effect of compost application on soil functions and soil macrofauna in oil palm plantations is poorly known. To investigate the effect of compost application, we compared soil functions and soil macrofauna of two treatments of an agronomical trial (compost application / mineral fertilization), taking into account the zone around the palm tree (harvesting path, circle and windrow). Soil functions were assessed using the Biofunctool® framework, which is a novel set of in-field, low tech and time-effective indicators to assess main soil functions: soil carbon transformation, nutrient cycling and structure maintenance. Effect of the zone around the palm tree on soil functions and macrofauna, was largest than the effect of the treatment and the compost application slightly improved carbon transformation functions in the circle zone. Soil functions and macrofauna functional groups data showed similar co-structures indicating the link between soil functions and fauna. We highlighted the importance of spatial heterogeneity and discussed the effect of organic matter

Current situation facing the needs of the scenarios from the deliverables I2.1.1 and I2.2.1

In this document we present the main issues that we have to face in order to define a Software Product Line (SPL) for Broadcasting Systems. These issues were identified through requirement analysis and refactoring of SEDUITE which are described in two internal deliverables: a) D.2.2.1: Introduces the requirements (functional and non-functional) of a Broadcasting System by using a case study based on large gatherings (e.g., concerts, competitions, parties, etc.). b) D.2.1.1: Explains the definition of SEDUITE as a SPL by identifying the different assets and products that make part of it. In particular, from each deliverable different questions were raised. We use these questions to identify the issues that we need to face and to guide the redaction of this document. We classify the questions according to three main topics: (i) user assistance (cf. Section 2), (ii) building and evolution of the SPL (cf. Section 3) and (iii) kinds of variability (cf. Section 4) The questions from the D.2.2.1 deliverable are identified with I.x and those from D.2.1.1 with Q.x. In both cases, the 'x' represents the number of the question in the deliverable. Additionally, we include the results of two questionnaires intended for consumers of information (i.e., professor and students) from broadcasting system in academic institutions

Antiferromagnetic ordering in a 90 K copper oxide superconductor

Using elastic neutron scattering, we evidence a commensurate antiferromagnetic Cu(2) order (AF) in the superconducting (SC) high-$\rm T_c$ cuprate $\rm YBa_2(Cu_{1-y}Co_y)_3O_{7+\delta}$ (y=0.013, $\rm T_c$=93 K). As in the Co-free system, the spin excitation spectrum is dominated by a magnetic resonance peak at 41 meV but with a reduced spectral weight. The substitution of Co thus leads to a state where AF and SC cohabit showing that the CuO$_2$ plane is a highly antiferromagnetically polarizable medium even for a sample where T$_c$ remains optimum.Comment: 3 figure

Fast computing of scattering maps of nanostructures using graphical processing units

Scattering maps from strained or disordered nano-structures around a Bragg reflection can either be computed quickly using approximations and a (Fast) Fourier transform, or using individual atomic positions. In this article we show that it is possible to compute up to 4.10^10 $reflections.atoms/s using a single graphic card, and we evaluate how this speed depends on number of atoms and points in reciprocal space. An open-source software library (PyNX) allowing easy scattering computations (including grazing incidence conditions) in the Python language is described, with examples of scattering from non-ideal nanostructures.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Application of relativistic scattering theory of x rays to diffraction anomalous fine structure in Cu

We apply our recent first-principles formalism of magnetic scattering of circularly polarized x rays to a single Cu crystal. We demonstrate the ability of our formalism to interpret the crystalline environment related near-edge fine structure features in the resonant x-ray scattering spectra at the Cu K absorption edge. We find good agreement between the computed and measured diffraction anomalous fine structure features of the x-ray scattering spectra

Step by step capping and strain state of GaN/AlN quantum dots studied by grazing incidence diffraction anomalous fine structure

The investigation of small size embedded nanostructures, by a combination of complementary anomalous diffraction techniques, is reported. GaN Quantum Dots (QDs), grown by molecular beam epitaxy in a modified Stranski-Krastanow mode, are studied in terms of strain and local environment, as a function of the AlN cap layer thickness, by means of grazing incidence anomalous diffraction. That is, the X-ray photons energy is tuned across the Ga absorption K-edge which makes diffraction chemically selective. Measurement of \textit{hkl}-scans, close to the AlN (30-30) Bragg reflection, at several energies across the Ga K-edge, allows the extraction of the Ga partial structure factor, from which the in-plane strain of GaN QDs is deduced. From the fixed-Q energy-dependent diffracted intensity spectra, measured for diffraction-selected iso-strain regions corresponding to the average in-plane strain state of the QDs, quantitative information regarding composition and the out-of-plane strain has been obtained. We recover the in-plane and out-of-plane strains in the dots. The comparison to the biaxial elastic strain in a pseudomorphic layer indicates a tendency to an over-strained regime.Comment: submitted to PR

Elimination of lubricants in industries in using self-lubricating wear resistant coatings based on MoS2

The problem that has been haunting for long manufacturing industries (automotive, aerospace, domestic appliance and electronics) is the lubrication. Most processes are impossible without lubrication, otherwise wear and galling will occur. On the other hand, many lubricants are toxic and some lubricants are even flammable, and therefore the use of lubricants is a big environment, safety and health concern. This paper demonstrates how innovative self-lubricated coating such as MoS2/Titanium composite coatings can be used to solve these problems and are suitable for the specific requirements with characteristics such as low frictional coefficient, high wear resistance and low cost. For example, demand coatings such as MoS2/Titanium composite coatings is increasing, therefore forming and cutting process can be performed “dry” without use additional lubricants, that is, the oil based lubricants can be eliminated from processes. The benefits of MoS2/Titanium composite coatings are both ecological and economical. The ecological side is obvious. The economical benefits can be obtained from the elimination of the direct costs of lubricants and the application apparatus, from longer tool life and less tool maintenance, from improved quality of machined parts as well as from the indirect costs of parts cleaning and waste disposal. Industrial results from forming and cutting processes will be presented and understanding analysis will be performed. Parameters such as life-time, cutting force, surface finishing… will be correlated to laboratory friction and wear tests as well as microstructure observations

2. On the classification of rocks

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