Advanced memory effects in the aging of a polymer glass

A new kind of memory effect on low frequency dielectric measurements on plexiglass (PMMA) is described. These measurements show that cooling and heating the sample at constant rate give an hysteretic dependence on temperature of the dielectric constant $\epsilon$. A temporary stop of cooling produces a downward relaxation of $\epsilon$. Two main features are observed i) when cooling is resumed $\epsilon$ goes back to the values obtained without the cooling stop (i.e. the low temperature state is independent of the cooling history) ii) upon reheating $\epsilon$ keeps the memory of all the cooling stops({\it Advanced memory}). The dependence of this effect on frequency and on the cooling rate is analyzed. The memory deletion is studied too. Finally the results are compared with those of similar experiments done in spin glasses and with the famous experiments of Kovacs.Comment: to be published in the European Physical Journa

Integrable mappings and polynomial growth

We describe birational representations of discrete groups generated by involutions, having their origin in the theory of exactly solvable vertex-models in lattice statistical mechanics. These involutions correspond respectively to two kinds of transformations on $q \times q$ matrices: the inversion of the $q \times q$ matrix and an (involutive) permutation of the entries of the matrix. We concentrate on the case where these permutations are elementary transpositions of two entries. In this case the birational transformations fall into six different classes. For each class we analyze the factorization properties of the iteration of these transformations. These factorization properties enable to define some canonical homogeneous polynomials associated with these factorization properties. Some mappings yield a polynomial growth of the complexity of the iterations. For three classes the successive iterates, for $q=4$, actually lie on elliptic curves. This analysis also provides examples of integrable mappings in arbitrary dimension, even infinite. Moreover, for two classes, the homogeneous polynomials are shown to satisfy non trivial non-linear recurrences. The relations between factorizations of the iterations, the existence of recurrences on one or several variables, as well as the integrability of the mappings are analyzed.Comment: 45 page

Innovation and research in organic farming: A multi‐level approach to facilitate cooperation among stakeholders

A wider range of stakeholders is expected to be involved in organic research. A decision‐support tool is needed to define priorities and to allocate tasks among institutions. Based on research and management experience in organic research, the authors have developed a framework for experimental and research projects. The framework is based on a multi‐level approach. Each level is defined according to the directness of the innovation impact on the organic systems. The projects carried out for each level were assessed over a ten-year period. Two applications are presented: analysis of crop protection strategies in horticulture and plant breeding programmes. When combined with four development models of organic farming, this multi‐level analysis appears to be promising for defining research agendas

Electrical noise properties in aging materials

The electric thermal noise has been measured in two aging materials, a colloidal suspension (Laponite) and a polymer (polycarbonate), presenting very slow relaxation towards equilibrium. The measurements have been performed during the transition from a fluid-like to a solid-like state for the gel and after a quench for the polymer. For both materials we have observed that the electric noise is characterized by a strong intermittency, which induces a large violation of the Fluctuation Dissipation Theorem (FDT) during the aging time, and may persist for several hours at low frequency. The statistics of these intermittent signals and their dependance on the quench speed for the polymer or on sample concentration for the gel are studied. The results are in a qualitative agreement with recent models of aging, that predict an intermittent dynamics.Comment: SPIE Proceeding Journa

On-farm influence of production patterns on total polyphenol content in peach

Peach production in France is constantly confronted with marketing problems due to a decrease in fruit consumption and increasing competition with neighbouring Mediterranean countries. The production of higher quality products using production methods such as organic farming (OF) appears to be a tangible way of differentiating and enhancing peach production. To test this hypothesis, an on-farm study was conducted in one of the major production areas in South-eastern France. Focussing on the peach cultivar, cv. Spring Lady®, paired comparisons were conducted between plots in OF and conventional farming (CF). Farmers' practices were identified and checked against crop measurements and performances (yield, sugar content, size classes) in 2004 (12 plots) and in 2005 (10 plots). Polyphenol contents were assessed as an additional component of fruit quality, using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Organic peaches have a higher polyphenol content at harvest. Contents were 4.8 times higher in 2004, whereas the same phenomenon was not observed in 2005. Levels of nitrogen, yield and tree vigour management appeared to be the key elements responsible for the synthesis of total polyphenols and sugar content This implies new opportunities for improving the nutritional quality of peaches, based on production methods

The relationships between organic farming and agroecology.

While acknowledging an extension of agroecology in the organic sector and a growing influence of agroecology in the academic world, we explore their relationships. These relationships cannot be reduced to an opposition between a scientific field and a practical domain. A Brazilian case study based on the analysis of researchers and social actors trajectories exemplifies the diversity of existing relations, whether inclusive or exclusive. With a literature review, this allows characterising the specific attributes of both organic agriculture and agroecology. We discuss them in the light of current challenges for organic farming research and development

Formes d'organisation de maraîchers organiques périurbains de São Paulo.

Le développement de l'agriculture organique au Brésil prend des formes multiples. Au travers de leur expérience de l'AO, dans une communauté proche de trois métropoles, de petits maraîchers d'Ibiúna (São Paulo) créent des entités collectives et expérimentent de nouvelles pratiques sociales. À partir d'entretiens et d'observations sur le terrain, nous montrons comment ces minifundios se sont, ou ont été, organisés pour développer l'AO dans un même territoire Nous identifions quatre formes sociales d'organisation, leurs dynamiques, leurs valeurs et leurs inter-relations. Nous discutons des éléments susceptibles de sécuriser leur reproduction sociale et de soutenir de nouvelles voies de développement