Density-Temperature-Softness Scaling of the Dynamics of Glass-forming Soft-sphere Liquids

The principle of dynamic equivalence between soft-sphere and hard-sphere fluids [Phys. Rev. E \textbf{68}, 011405 (2003)] is employed to describe the interplay of the effects of varying the density n, the temperature T, and the softness (characterized by a softness parameter {\nu}^{-1}) on the dynamics of glass-forming soft-sphere liquids in terms of simple scaling rules. The main prediction is that the dynamic parameters of these systems, such as the {\alpha}-relaxation time and the long-time self-diffusion coefficient, depend on n, T, and {\nu} only through the reduced density n^\ast \equiv n{\sigma}^{3}_{HS}(T, {\nu}),where the effective hard-sphere diameter {\sigma}_{HS}(T, {\nu}) is determined, for example, by the Andersen-Weeks-Chandler condition for soft-sphere-hard-sphere structural equivalence. A number of scaling properties observed in recent simulations involving glass-forming fluids with repulsive short range interactions are found to be a direct manifestation of this general dynamic equivalence principle. The self-consistent generalized Langevin equation (SCGLE) theory of colloid dynamics is shown to accurately capture these scaling rule

Modeling L- and X-band backscattering of wheat and tests over fields of Pampas

A discrete scattering model and a detailed set of ground measurements are used to simulate the backscattering coefficients of wheat fields during the whole growth cycle. Simulations are carried out at L- and X-band, and at HH, VV, and HV polarizations. Wheat fields are located in Pampas (Argentina), and are characterized by low values of plant density. Simulations show that the backscattering coefficient is driven by variations of soil moisture at L-band, particularly for HH polarization, with low vegetation effects. Conversely, the attenuation of vegetation is dominant in producing variations of backscattering coefficients at X-band, particularly for VV polarization. Simulations are compared against experimental data collected over the same Pampas region, using airborne SARAT SAR at L-band and COSMO-SKYMED at X-band. Assuming a surface height standard deviation in a 0.4–0.7 cm range, the simulations generally agree with experimental data, with an RMSE lower than about 2 dB at L-band and X-band, except a limited number of cases. Discrepancies observed in specific conditions are discussed. Overall, the results indicate that a joint use of L- and X-band has a good potential to monitor both soil moisture and vegetation growth

Herbage Production, Nitrogen Fixation and Condensed Tannin Concentrations in \u3cem\u3eLotus glaber\u3c/em\u3e Mill. Germplasm

Lotus glaber (Lg) grows on clay, sandy and medium textured soils in central Chile (32º to 38º S). The diversity of environments where the species grows naturally supports the hypothesis that genetic variability would be found. The objectives of the experiment were to characterise accessions of Lg collected in the region for dry matter (DM) production, comparative capacity to fix atmospheric N and condensed tannins (CT) in Lg grown on clay soils used for cropping rice

Selective Harmonic Elimination Model Predictive Control for Multilevel Power Converters

© 2016 IEEE. In this study, a model predictive control (MPC) strategy that combines finite-control-set MPC with selective harmonic elimination (SHE) modulation pattern in its formulation is proposed to govern multilevel power converters. Based on a desired operating point for the system state (converter current reference), an associated predefined SHE voltage pattern is obtained as a required steady-state control input reference. Then, the cost function is formulated with the inclusion of both system state and control input references. According with the proposed reference and cost function formulation, the predictive controller prefers to track the converter output current reference in transients, while preserving the SHE voltage pattern in steady state. Hence, as evidenced by experimental results, a fast dynamic response is obtained throughout transients while a predefined voltage and current spectrum with low switching frequency is achieved in steady state

A Comprehensive View of the 2006 December 13 CME: From the Sun to Interplanetary Space

The biggest halo coronal mass ejection (CME) since the Halloween storm in 2003, which occurred on 2006 December 13, is studied in terms of its solar source and heliospheric consequences. The CME is accompanied by an X3.4 flare, EUV dimmings and coronal waves. It generated significant space weather effects such as an interplanetary shock, radio bursts, major solar energetic particle (SEP) events, and a magnetic cloud (MC) detected by a fleet of spacecraft including STEREO, ACE, Wind and Ulysses. Reconstruction of the MC with the Grad-Shafranov (GS) method yields an axis orientation oblique to the flare ribbons. Observations of the SEP intensities and anisotropies show that the particles can be trapped, deflected and reaccelerated by the large-scale transient structures. The CME-driven shock is observed at both the Earth and Ulysses when they are separated by 74$^{\circ}$ in latitude and 117$^{\circ}$ in longitude, the largest shock extent ever detected. The ejecta seems missed at Ulysses. The shock arrival time at Ulysses is well predicted by an MHD model which can propagate the 1 AU data outward. The CME/shock is tracked remarkably well from the Sun all the way to Ulysses by coronagraph images, type II frequency drift, in situ measurements and the MHD model. These results reveal a technique which combines MHD propagation of the solar wind and type II emissions to predict the shock arrival time at the Earth, a significant advance for space weather forecasting especially when in situ data are available from the Solar Orbiter and Sentinels.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figures. 2008, ApJ, in pres

Economic Valuation of Tourism Services of Lake Holon, South Cotabato

The tourism potential of the municipality of T’boli, South Cotabato, is highlighted by the presence of Lake Holon. The study aims to measure the economic value of tourism services of the lake. Since no market exist for a natural resource, this study used a surrogate market based method which is the zonal travel cost method (ZTCM) in quantifying its value. ZTCM uses the number of visitors to the site coming from different places which were then grouped into zones. The visitation rate from each zone can then be estimated as a function of its corresponding travel cost. The demand function that will be generated is used to extract the economic value of tourism services of the lake. Data were obtained from 224 respondents of which 80% were from South Cotabato and the rest were from other regions of the Philippines. Information on respondents’ place of origin, travel expenses, travel time, visit duration, and income were collected. The place of origins were categorized into four zones based on their distance from the lake. The findings reveal that the economic value of tourism services of Lake Holon is estimated to be around PhP 224 million annually. This information will aid the local government planners and policy makers in drawing up a tourism development plans and related legislations around the lake

Endoparasitic fauna of two south american foxes in Chile: Lycalopex culpaeus and lycalopex griseus

Native foxes face serious threats related to anthropic activities and the uncontrolled pets. However, the transmission of several pathogens such as parasites by domestic dogs is an important conservation issue with limited attention in Chile. The lack of a proper identification of the helminths of wild canids in the country, based mostly in coprological studies, limited our knowledge in potential interspecific transmission. Thus, the aim of the present survey was to identify the parasitic fauna of two native canids, the Andean fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) (n=49) and Chilla (Lycalopex griseus) (n=17), from several localities in Chile through a complete parasitological survey. Sixteen different species were identified, 9 of which are new host records for Andean fox and two for Chilla fox in South America, and three are recorded for first time in Chile. Also, five of them are of zoonotic concern and six are known to use domestic dogs as their principal hosts. These findings have implications for public health and the conservation of canids whose interspecific transmission of parasites with domestic dogs is confirmed through these findings. The need for an exhaustive surveillance of wild carnivores is emphasized considering these hosts as important sources of micro- and macroparasites

Supply Chain and Cost-Benefit Analyses of the Community- Based Sea Cucumber Hatchery in Davao del Sur, Philippines

Sea cucumbers provide an important contribution to the livelihoods of some coastal communities in the Philippines. Due to high and increasing demand in the export market, which led to the depletion of wild stocks, increased hatchery efforts are done to restore production. In Brgy. Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, a community-based sea cucumber hatchery was established. This study aims to determine the status of sea cucumber trade in the area though supply chain analysis. Moreover, to identify the sustainability of its operation and for a potential scale-up, cost-benefit analysis was employed. Cost of production is based on the projected cost by the hatchery operation and not the actual financial support provided by the funding agencies to eliminate the issue of over-compensation. Results of the study revealed that sea cucumbers are marketed in two forms: wet (unprocessed) and dried (processed). The study also identified and described the actors involved in the supply chain, namely, gleaners, divers, fishers, middlemen, traders, exporters, and consumers. The cost-benefit analysis showed that the profit per production cycle is PhP 62,355. From an initial investment cost amounting to PhP 171,405, the return on investement was at 36.38%. The break-even point in terms of revenue is at PhP 10,997, having a safety margin of 87%. The study shows that community-based sea cucumber hatchery is a viable option especially for smallholder fishers. However, it may only work with proper management and adequate support from relevant government agencies, private stakeholders, and non-government organizations

Preliminary report on cross-species microsatellite amplification for bumblebee biodiversity and conservation studies

The Iberian Peninsula holds a high diversity of bumblebees but there is a general lack of information about their biodiversity in this area. To overcome this and facilitate conservation studies, we present two novel multiplex assays for the amplification of six and five microsatellite loci respectively. Both assays successfully amplified for most of the studied species in the Iberian populations. Sibling workers and population genetic parameters were analysed in the managed species B. terrestris and in the wild species B. monticola and B. mesomelas, demonstrating the capability of these multiplex assays for biodiversity studies of both managed and wild bumblebee species